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An engagement ring is the first and most significant purchase that you buy to signify the upcoming union between you and your significant other. There are many styles of cut out there to be chosen from for your engagement ring but marquise cut perhaps could be one that will do best to describe your deepest feelings.
The marquise cut diamond is a variation of a round cut diamond but the shape is stretched out more to an oval. From the top view, you will be amazed that it takes into a shape of a football. Its slender striking cut is very well proportioned, and the whole shape gives off a visually bigger appearance with a bigger table spread for carat weight than traditional cut engagement rings. It also has a line of beauty that can be used running up and down the finger. This cut has an ability to accentuate the size of any diamond, with tapering to graceful points at each end.
The perfect length to width ration for a marquise cut diamond engagement ring stone is usually approximately 2 to 1. Always keep in mind of this property when you are purchasing a marquise cut diamond because this ratio plays an important role to the diamond’s capability in gathering and refracting light. The fiery brilliance of a marquise cut engagement ring is dependent on the proper proportions. If the cut is not done precisely, you will be able to notice a darker ‘bow tie’ in the center of the diamond where an obvious lack of brilliance or a blackened area can be detected. Choose a diamond with as little bow-tie effect as possible.
Either as a classic solitaire setting or surrounded with smaller accent diamonds or other gemstones, the marquise cut engagement ring will always exude elegance and style. If you are on a tight budget, a somewhat smaller diamond stone can be purchased to be cut into the marquise cut style and you will be surprised to see the final result that comes from the cut which will give you an illusion of having a larger looking diamond stone.
Marquise cut engagement ring has the effortless ability in flattering the hand of your bride-to-be, making the fingers look longer and more slender. This unique quality of the cut may perhaps come from its lure as the style of royalty. Often called a ‘fancy’ cut, the classic marquise cut engagement ring speaks of a refined style. Celebrity actor Michael Douglas had given Catherine Zeta-Jones an antique-style 10-carat marquise diamond engagement ring to celebrate their union, you too can mark your own unique celebration of love by giving the unique marquise cut engagement ring for the queen of your heart.
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For a personality that enjoys elegant simplicity, the solitaire engagement ring makes a perfect choice that symbolizes her character. Surprise your bride-to-be with the classic one-band-one-gemstone look of the solitaire engagement ring. The statement that is made by a solitaire setting focuses on the purity of the diamond and the band which it is set.
When buying a solitaire engagement ring, the size and style of the band is very important. A narrow band will give off the effect of making a small diamond appears larger and is especially suitable for slender fingers. A thick band on the other hand will offer you a greater option in the manner you want the diamond to be set. Choose platinum or white gold for your band if you want an effortlessly elegant look as the diamond will match the metal to which it is set. A yellow gold metal for your band will instead make the diamond stand out.
Shape of the solitaires is also important. While round diamond is the traditional favorite you can always use other shapes like marquise, emerald, pear or oval shapes to give an elongated and larger looking diamond. Another unique choice would be to use a heart or trillium-shaped stone that is distinctive and eye-catching. Due to the simplicity of the single stone which is the nature of the solitaire engagement ring, you many want to choose a high quality stone. Other types of designs which include many accent stones and elaborate settings will distract the eye from flaws, but this is not the case with a solitaire engagement ring. The focus would be on the central brilliant gem. Make sure that you are familiar with the four Cs of quality; clarity, cut, carat and color, as well as potential flaws so that you are able to choose the best stone.
A solitaire is a diamond in a relatively simple setting. This makes it a far more affordable alternative to other engagement ring designs. The cost would be higher as you choose for a good quality diamond to be set in. Do not fret as the price tag should always be within the range that you are most comfortable with and the stone’s characteristics can always be adjusted to your unique taste. The solitaire engagement ring is a simple yet bold statement of the love that you share with your significant other. Even with the limits of a single stone on a simple setting, its uniqueness is in the timeless elegance that it casts.
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Choosing between princess cut and radiant cut diamonds is a tough decision especially since both of these styles have really great light reflection. When it comes to the most sparkle that a diamond can give off, the radiant cut is the winner. The radiant cut diamond was introduced back in 1977 by Henry Grossbard which had been patented and helped to revolutionize the diamond cutting industry. Grossbard created the radiant cut in order to combine the best properties of the emerald and round cuts which are the beauty of the outer lines and cut corners in the crown the emerald cut and the unique triangular faceting of the round cut. It is a wonderful mix of the two properties that results in a hybrid of emerald and round cuts creating a ‘brilliantized’ step cut diamond.
There are distinctive differences between the radiant cut diamond and a princess cut diamond. The most obvious difference would be in the ability that each cut reflects light whereby the radiant cut does sparkle more. The similarity of the radiant cut diamond and princess cut diamond is at the crown but to an experienced jeweler, the radiant cut diamond has a crown that is slightly higher that the princess cut. The radiant cut has a smaller table than the princess cut and its depth may be slightly less. There are no sharp edges in the radiant cut which makes it identifiable as the cut-cornered square mixed cut. As you look down from the top, you will notice that the reflected light seems to move in a circular pattern, which makes it easier for more light to enter and more ways for it to be reflected out. The overall shape of the radiant cut can be squarish or rectangular, with step cuts.
It is a little bit difficult to find rare radiant cut in the market today as the more popular choice of many people are the princess cut diamonds. You can try to locate for them in estate sales, family heirloom and your local jeweler stores to find out if they are available. Even though the princess cut diamond is a favorite choice, break the rule by choosing the radiant cut for your engagement if you like the unique hybrid touch of the emerald and round cuts that give the radiant cut its trademark cut corners and extra facets which will no doubt dazzle your other half.
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Emerald cut engagement rings are very elegant and economical choice. Its unique characteristics make these types of rings very popular. Being a type of step cut, its facets have the appearance of ‘steps’ which are carved into the gem. The overall shape of the emerald cut is rectangular with slightly cropped corners. This type of cut was originally used for emeralds, but soon became a favorite choice of cut for diamonds as well.
Emerald, Asscher and princess type of cuts are actually different in their shapes though to the less experienced buyer they may look the same. Asscher cuts are squares with trimmed corners while princess cuts are squares without the trimming. As for the emerald cut, be sure to notice that it is rectangular with only a vague hint of cropping around the corners.
The elongated shape of the emerald cut diamond is often wonderful to be paired with accent stones. For a lady who has slender long fingers, an emerald cut solitaire would be a remarkable ring of choice. The rectangular shape is not so suitable on a woman with short, thick fingers however. Round shapes emerald cut engagement rings are versatile design that you can find in bridal sets, unique styles and contemporary rings. The four-prong arrangement is the kind of setting that is used to provide stability to the stone while protecting the delicate edges. Other unusual settings can also be used by choosing a stone that is placed lengthwise along the band instead of the common perpendicular placement.
When choosing a stone for the emerald cut, a good quality diamond is important. Due to nature of the very open cut, color variations and flaws would be easily noticeable. Precision of the cut is also vital for a nicely balanced and proportionate look. The ideal length-to-width ratio you should find from 1.3:1 to no more than 1.75:1 if you are looking for a classic emerald cut. Wider or narrower stones may also be used according to your personal preferences.
Loose stones should be made a choice for this cut so that you can thoroughly analyze the emerald cut stone, which is not so easy to do if you go for finished rings. With loose stones you are able to check for imperfections. With finished rings you can always ask the jeweler’s loupe to get a good magnification of the stone.
If you are looking for custom made or additional designs for your emerald cut engagement rings, there is always a selection of emerald cut rings carried by jewelers. The simple cut makes emerald cut engagement ring a more affordable alternative to the round cuts of similar quality. The elongated shape of this cut offers a higher carat which allows you and your bride-to-be focus on the budget and time on the design and details of the ring instead of the central stone.
Make emerald cut engagement ring the choice for a sleek and elegant design to pass it to your significant other as your love and commitment symbol.
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The Asscher cut engagement rings were first developed in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers. The Asscher cut engagement rings had been the rage back in the first half of the 20th century but then the demands fell short after the new development of diamond technology and diamond cutting techniques. Now, the Asscher cut engagement rings are coming back as a much more sophisticated alternative to the more traditional choices.
The Asscher cut stone has a distinctive shape that is a square with deeply trimmed corners that resembles the octagon. It is cut with a series of parallel steps, producing hall-of-mirrors effects when you look deeply into the stone. It is sometimes called the square emerald cut and is also a type of modified cushion cut. This Assher cut style has been exclusively patented which means that every original Asscher cut diamond will have the Asscher family symbol with a unique identification number inscribed directly on the stone’s girdle. To check for the authenticity, these marks are visible under high magnification.
Vintage Asscher diamonds are popular during the Art Deco period. During the worldwide Great Depression, the production stalled but it reopened in 1945. Vintage Asscher diamonds are different from the modern stones as the modern one has slightly smaller corners and larger central flat top of a cut diamond. To increase the cut’s sparkle, sixteen additional facets are added and thus modern Asscher cut will have a total of 74 facets. Both modern and vintage Asscher cut has a deep cutlet at the base to accentuate the depth of the stone by calling attention to the gem with extraordinary clarity.
When you pick a diamond or a stone for the Asscher cut, be aware of flaws and inclusions that may lower the stone quality. The color of the stone is the next important factor as the brilliance of the tone may be more visible at the stone’s wide corners. Many Asscher cut diamonds tend to be smaller in size but the unique and intricate cut outweigh the stone’s size by offering a truly eye-catching look.
The most common setting that is used for the Asscher cut engagement ring is the four-prong arrangement. As the step cut does not naturally reflect much light, the prong setting allows the stone to be elevated to attract more light that it would in a channel or bezel setting. Make sure that the prongs are wide enough so that they don’t hide the stone’s distinctive corners. Another setting that you can use is the pave setting which has a coating of brilliant diamond crusts that is perfect for the rarity and beauty of Asscher cut.
Depending on your taste, you can have you Asscher cut stone be surrounded with accent stones like trilliant, princess or emerald cuts that can sit nicely against the flat sides of the central stone. Without the embellishments, the single stone Asscher cut engagement ring is stunning by itself. Due to the exclusive nature and rarity of this cut, you may want to visit several high-end jewelers to find out about the availability. Certification by the Gemological Institute of America or the High Council for Diamonds in Antwerp, Belgium ensures that you are dealing with authentic Asscher cut stones. The timeless cut of Asscher engagement ring with its angled corners and incredible depth will make a grand statement of your future bride’s individuality and personality.
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ushion cut engagement rings would be the perfect choice if your significant half is into vintage style rings. They make such humble engagement rings with an antique flair due to its soft and romantic shape. The cushion cut diamond is shaped like a pillow, rectangular with rounded edges. Back in the 1800’s this type of cut was such a popular choice, which is now making a comeback. The cushion cut engagement ring made of either diamonds or other gemstones is becoming a favorite choice today as it provides the grace, romance and the tradition of the past.
The softer glow of the cushion cut engagement ring is what that attracts most people as compared to the sharp brilliance of the modern cuts. The soft glow emitted from a cushion cut diamond, for example is achieved through its large facets, depth and an open cutlet which it the facet at the bottom part of the diamond. Depending on your personal taste, you can choose a specific amount of light reflection property that you want. Some cushion cuts are nearly square in shapes while others are of long rectangular in nature.
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The princess cut is the second most fashionable cut shape for diamonds, next to the round brilliant cut. The shape of the face-up of the princess cut is a simple square or rectangular while the side-on shape is similar to that of an inverted pyramid with four beveled sides. It was first created in the 1960’s thus is still a relatively new cut for a diamond. With time, it has gained popularity becoming a distinctive alternative to the popular round brilliant cut. Also referred as the square modified brilliant cut, it has the same high degree of brilliance as the round cut while having a totally different style in its faceting.
According to the Harold Newman’s Illustrated Dictionary of Jewelry, the term princess cut was previously applied to what is now known as the profile cut. This is used for very flat diamonds whereby a series of ‘V’ shaped grooves are cut into the back of the stone with the top being polished. This cut was developed by Arpad Nagy of London in 1961 which was incorrectly allocated under the princess cut category by some diamond experts.
The princess cut diamond engagement ring makes such a unique choice of an engagement ring as the extra faceting produces more sparkle. Any inclusions that are present will be less visible as well as any slight yellowish or brownish discoloration, thus making it a more attractive choice which is available at a reasonable price. When picking diamonds to be cut into this style, deep stones are the better choice than shallow stones due to the nature of the cut. Deep stones allow for the maximum weight retention, and reduce the final cost per carat. Stones that are square or slightly oblong are also chosen for the same reason. Sharp points at the angles of the princess cut diamonds are potentially vulnerable points; thereby you have to make sure that the stone is mounted in a manner that protects its points.
Make sure that the jewelry manufacturer is an experienced one so as to avoid unnecessary delays and extra repair fees that is due to the re-polishing of the stone after the diamond have been set in which the process may have caused some breaks as a certain force is applied to the most delicate part of the stones. This usually affects the area around the corners and will compromise the total weight of the stone.
Nevertheless, the advantage that comes with the princess cut style is that it does not necessarily is limited for diamonds. Other gemstones can use this type of cut as well, for example the princess cut sapphires. On the other hand, the princess cut style works best with lighter colored transparent stones to give that brilliant effect. Stones which are dark or opaque do not benefit much from such cutting.
No matter what your stone of choice will be, the exquisite elegant princess cut engagement ring has such a dazzle and sparkle that makes it the second most requested cut in the market today. Show your other half, this unique piece of treasure that symbolizes the brilliance of your love and loyalty to her. She will be impressed!