The Kay Knight Guide to Diamond Cuts
At Kay Knight Designs, our diverse selection of stunning premade and custom diamond rings, bracelets, necklaces, and other jewelry offers something for every taste. Whether you’re looking for a vintage-inspired design or a contemporary wrap-around ring, our pieces are sure to dazzle thanks to their unsurpassed craftsmanship and breathtaking sparkle.
Whether you’re choosing an engagement ring for your partner or a luxurious treat for yourself, figuring out which type of diamond cut will look best can sometimes cause a great deal of anxiety. Buying a diamond is a significant investment and, with so many different cuts to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which one your partner or you will favor. In this comprehensive guide to diamond cuts, we will walk you through all the gorgeous shapes of diamond that we offer here at Kay Knight Designs.
Whether you’re interested in purchasing a custom piece, one of our stunning premade designs, or you want to refurbish a treasured family heirloom, Kay Knight Designs can provide you with exceptional quality diamond jewelry that you will love for a lifetime.
Trillion Cut
Sometimes called a trilliant cut, this style of diamond has many variations, such as curved or uncurved sides. Uncurved trillion cuts are usually used for accent stones on either side of the piece’s central stone. Curved trillion cuts offer a softer version of the style, featuring three sharp points and curved sides.
Cushion Cut
Cushion cut stones are named for their square shape with rounded corners, resulting in a pillow-like appearance. Soft edges give the cushion cut an especially romantic and sophisticated allure. The cushion cut features 58 facets (flat surfaces), to allow for maximum sparkle.
Crushed Ice Cut
Also known as the crushed glass cut, this style of diamond looks exactly how it sounds — like crushed or shattered ice. Technically a subset of the cushion cut, the crushed ice cut offers a dazzling, kaleidoscopic effect that accentuates the prismatic nature of the stone.
Brilliant Cut
The brilliant cut is a popular style of diamond that features 58 facets. Using precise mathematical calculations, diamond cutters ensure that each facet reflects nearly all of the light that enters it, maximizing the stone’s brilliance and fire. This cut is perfect for a timeless yet traditional engagement ring.
Emerald Cut
Large facets give this cut a distinctive optical character, often referred to as the “hall of mirrors” effect. From Beyoncé to Jennifer Lopez, strong women everywhere love emerald cut rings for their bold, modern design and dramatic geometry.
Radiant Cut
The radiant cut is a symmetrical, nontraditional diamond cut offering incredible versatility and softness. The radiant cut owes its brilliance to an incredible 70 facets, each giving off an immense sparkle. Thanks to its beveled corners, radiant cut stones offer more durability than other styles of stone, making it a great option for those with an active lifestyle.
Oval Cut
Oval cuts are a modified version of the brilliant cut, featuring an elongated shape that can make the wearer’s finger appear longer and slimmer. Oval cut diamond looks good in just about any jewelry setting, from halo to solitaire. Because it doesn’t have any sharp corners, the oval cut is less prone to chipping, making it another durable option.
Marquise Cut
Sometimes referred to as the “football-shaped cut,” the “boat-shaped cut,” the “eye-shaped cut,” or the “Navette,” marquise cut diamond is a vintage-inspired style known for its narrow, pointed shape. This stone cut has a rich history, dating back to French king Louis XV, who is credited with giving the marquise cut its name. If you’re looking for Old World elegance and glamor, the marquise cut may be just what you’re after.
Asscher Cut
Similar to the emerald cut, the asscher cut features cropped corners. Unlike the emerald cut, however, asscher cut diamond is square-shaped rather than rectangular. First produced by famed diamond cutters the Asscher Brothers in 1902, this cut is known for its exceptional brilliance and clarity. The asscher cut is perfect for those who desire the dramatic symmetry of an emerald cut in a less elongated shape.
Baguette Cut
As its name suggests, baguette cut diamond has a long, rectangular shape. Featuring 14 facets, baguette cut diamonds are often used as side or accent pieces to complement thicker cuts of stone. With its elegant, sophisticated shape, the baguette cut is a good choice for those wanting a smaller, more geometrical stone.
Heart Cut
What could be more romantic than a stunning piece of diamond cut into the shape of a heart? Proposing with a heart cut engagement ring will leave your partner with no confusion as to how you feel about them. This rare, distinctive design makes for an outspoken display of love that your bride will cherish forever.
Hearts and Arrows Cut
The hearts and arrows cut is a variation of the popular brilliant cut featuring exquisite optical symmetry and brilliance that can light up any room. This cut requires exceptional craftsmanship and precision, making it an especially prized choice for those with discerning taste.
Princess Cut
If you’ve heard of any engagement ring cut before, then it’s probably the princess. This ubiquitous design comes in an inverted pyramid shape with four beveled sides, giving it a square appearance when viewed from above. Princess cut diamonds make for a timeless, fairy tale choice.
Pear Cut
Pear cut diamonds feature a distinctive teardrop shape, with the narrow end of the stone pointing towards the wearer’s hand. As with marquise and oval cuts, pear cut diamond can make fingers appear slimmer and longer. The pear cut is a graceful, elegant shape of stone that is sure to make a statement.