Cushion Cut Diamonds, Features, Buy Cushion Cut Diamonds, Rings

Sick of the Same-Old, Same-Old? Not into the Round Diamond? Check Out Some Favorite Shapes

noreply@blogger.com (JJ Lim) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:55:00 +0000

Ascher cut engagement rings are gorgeous...... and I'm not just saying this because Joel proposed to me with one, I promise.

The cut was first designed in 1902 by Joseph Asscher, a world-famous diamond cutter. Joseph Asscher is known for cutting the largest diamond in history, the Cullinan diamond. Original Asscher cut diamonds are extremely rare.

The ascher cut is very similar to the emerald cut but has a square shape versus a rectangular shape. The cropped corners and square cut are designed to draw your eyes deep within the diamond. Ascher stones are always set in a four prong setting to prevent them from chipping.

Ascher cut diamonds were most popular during the Art Deco period in the 1920s. While they are experencing a resurgance in popularity, they are still fairly uncommon.

Celebrities have jumped on the ascher cut bandwagon. Reese Witherspoon and Kate Hudson both have beautiful ascher rings.

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Cushion cut diamonds were the most popular stone in the past. This is why you will find many at antique stores and estate sales. You could say they were the round diamonds of the past.

The cushion cut diamond was fashioned so that its brilliance would be reflected by candle light versus diamonds nowadays which are cut to be flattering under electric light. Cushion cut diamonds are a combination of an old mine cut (antique cut with deep facets)and an oval cut. They are also referred to as pillow cut diamonds cuz they kind of have the shape of.....guess what... a pillow.

The rounded edges and large facets of the cushion cut increase the diamond's depth so that it appears you can look deep into it. The facets highlight the diamond's clarity, something to consider when looking to make a purchase. However, compared to other cuts, the cushion does not reflect as much light as others, hence it as not as sparkly.

Cushion cuts come in a variety of shapes and there are less industry standards as compared with other cuts. For a square shape, look for a length-witdth ratio of around 1. For a rectangular shape look for a length-width ratio greater than 1.15.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Shields

Diamond Education and Guide: Cushion Shape Diamond

noreply@blogger.com (JJ Lim) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:54:00 +0000

The cushion cut diamond was one of the most popular cuts of diamonds ever. For more than 70 years from 1830 to the turn of the century this was the diamonds cut. Sometimes referred to as a “pillow cut”, the cushion cut has an open culet, the bottom of the diamond, and a rectangular to square shape with rounded corners and a facet plan to give the diamond depth. The cushion cut diamond was cut for candle light. This is quite different from today’s diamonds which are cut for brighter denser electric light. The beauty of a cushion cut is the depth of the diamond. The facets allow the eye to travel into the diamond. It’s a calmer more soothing cut than a modern cut and at a romantic candlelight dinner, the cushion is at its best.

For the most pleasing effect, choose a Cushion Shape diamond in length to width ratio range between 1.1 and 1.2. The radiance that comes from the Cushion Shape diamond is dependent on the cut of the stone, as well as the color and clarity.

Larger facets of a Cushion Shape diamond means that the clarity is highlighted, which makes it specially important that you choose a diamond that has been graded as having a good clarity. Otherwise, your diamond will not be able to reflect well and it will appear dull and opaque.

The article above can be used on your web site or newsletter. When it is published, May I request that you include my name and resource box (the bio., contact and copyright information that follows the article. I would also appreciate if you could send me an e-mail of notification along with a complimentary copy of publication.

Bijan Aziz is the owner and Web Master for The Jewelry Hut.

http://www.thejewelryhut.com/html/diamond.html - the best source for fine Diamond, gemstone, and Pearl Jewelry on the Web

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bijan_Aziz

Diamond Size and Weight Buying Guide

noreply@blogger.com (JJ Lim) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:59:00 +0000

Faulty diamonds.

Many errors that effect the appearance and value of a diamond can occur in cutting. Remember that some diamond’s cutting faults will make a stone more vulnerable to breakage. We recommend avoiding such stones unless they can be protected by the setting.

There are several cutting faults to watch for in round diamonds. First, look carefully for a sloping table or a table that is not almost perfectly perpendicular to the point of culet.

Second, the diamond culet can frequently be the source of a problem. It can be chipped or broken, open or large (almost all modern cut diamonds have culet that come nearly to a point), or it can be missing altogether.
Third, repairs to chipped areas can result in misaligned facets, which destroy the stone’s symmetry.

Sometimes. too, as a result of repair, an extra facet will be formed, often in the crown facets, but also on ot just below the girdle. These extra facets may slightly affect the diamond’s brilliance.

Girdle Faults

The girdle is often the source of faults in a diamond. Bearded or fringed girdles are common. A fringed girdle exhibits small radial cracks penetrating into stone; these can result from a careless or inexperienced cutter. A bearded girdle is similar but not as pronounced a fault and can be easily repaired by re-polishing, with minor loss in diamond weight.
The relative thickness of girdle is very important because it can affect the durability as well as the beauty of the stone. Any girdle can be nicked or chipped in the course of wear, or by careless handling, but if the girdle is too thin it will chip easily. Some chips can be easily removed by re-polishing, with minimal diamond weight loss. If there are numerous chips, the entire girdle can be re-polished. Chips or nicks in the girdle are often hidden under the prongs or concealed by the setting.
If the girdle is too thick, the stone may look smaller because a disproportionate amount of its weight will be in the girdle itself; such stones, for their weight, will be smaller in diameter than other stones of comparable weight.

The gradations of girdle thickness:

Extremely thin

Thin

Medium

Slightly thick

Extremely Thick

The girdle can also be wavy, rough, or entirely, out of round.
A natural may not be a fault. It’s actually a piece of the natural surface of the diamond crystal. In cutting, a cutter may decide to leave part of the “natural” rough surface in order to get as large a diamond as possible from the rough stone. If this natural is no thicker than the thickness of the girdle and does not distort the circumference of the stone, most dealers consider it a minor defect at worst; it it extends into the crown or pavilion of the stone, it is a more serious fault.
Sometimes, if the natural is somewhat large but slightly below the girdle, it will be polished off. This produces an extra facet.

Other Popular shapes

Unlike round diamonds, “fancy” shapes, all shapes other than round, have no set formulas, so evaluating the make of a fancy is more subjective. Table and depth percentage can vary widely among individual stones of the same shape, each producing a beautiful stone. Personal taste also varies with regard to what constitutes the “ideal” for shapes other than round. Nonetheless, there are certain visual indicators of good or poor proportioning, such as the “bow tie” effect, which even the amateur can learn to spot. There are recommended ratios for overall shape and symmetry, but a preferred shape is largely a personal matter. Ranges for what is “acceptable” or “unacceptable” have been developed. As you gain experience looking at specific shapes, you will be able to spot faults, and begin to determine what is within an “acceptable” range. Moderate deviation will not significantly affect the beauty or value of a stone; however, extreme deviations can seriously reduce a stone’s beauty and value.

Cutting faults in popular fancy shapes

One of the most obvious indicators of poor proportioning in fancy shapes is the bow tie, or butterfly effect, a darkened area across the center or widest part of the stone, depending upon the cut. The bow tie is most commonly seen in the pear shape or marquise shape but may exist in any fancy shape diamonds. Virtually all fancy shapes cut today will exhibit some minimal bow tie effect. Nonetheless, the presence or absence of a bow tie is an indicator of proper proportioning. In poorly proportional stones there is a pronounced bow tie; the more pronounced, the poorer the proportioning. The less pronounced the bow tie, the better the proportioning. The degree to which the bow tie is evident is the first indicator of a good or poor make. A diamond with a pronounced bow tie should sell for much less than one without.

As with the brilliant cut diamond, fancy shapes can also be cut too broad or too narrow; and the pavilion can be too deep or too shallow.
Personal taste will always play a role in fancy shapes, some prefer a narrow pear shape, for example, while others might prefer a fatter pear. Whatever the shape you are considering, you must ask yourself whether or not you find the stone exciting. Does it have a pleasing personality? Does it exhibit good brilliance and fire? Is the entire stone brilliant, or are there “dead” spots? Are there any cutting faults that might make it more susceptible to chipping? Then you must make the choice.

New shapes create excitement

Today we can choose from many diamond shapes and diamond cuts, ranging from the classics diamond shapes:

Round,

Oval,

Pear,

Marquise,

Emerald-cut, and

Heart.

To new diamond shapes that appear as cutters continue to experiment with novel looks. Here are some of the most exciting:

Radiant

A rectangular or square brilliant cut, this shape is perfect for the person who likes the shape of an emerald-cut but want more sparkle. The starburst radiant is a variation of the standard radiant, and exhibits a slightly different personality.

Princess

A square brilliant cut which is ideal for bezel and channel settings, or ant setting in which you want the stone to be flush with the mounting. The quadrillion was the first trademarked “princess” and is cut to unique specifications which some believe creates the most beautiful of square brilliant cuts, and which demands a slightly higher price than others of this general types.

144 Facet

This patented cut produces a diamond with 144 facets rather than a diamond with 58 facets, giving it unsurpassed brilliance and fire. An important feature of the 144 Facet is the girdle, which is more resistant to chipping than girdles produced by many other cuts. The 144 Facet is an expensive cut, comparable in cost to an “ideal” make diamond.

Dream a Royal cuts

These cuts are a good choice for anyone who wants a large look on a limited budget. They are “thin” cuts, but unlike “spread” or “swindle” diamonds, which are usually lifeless, extra faceting and precision cutting help to produce unusual brilliance for their depth. A dream cut marquise (or, similarly, the “Duchess”) will look much larger than a traditional marquise of the same weight. These cuts are available in shapes resembling the marquise, pear, and oval.

Trilliant

Popular shape for use as a center stone, or for side stones, this triangular brilliant cut is also a thin cut, giving a large look for it weight. Extra facets and precision cutting produce high brilliance. When flanking either side of another diamond, trilliants produce a much larger diamond look, overall.

In addition to the new cuts discussed above, one of the newest cutting innovations is the brilliant cut baguette, such as the Princette(TM) and Bagillion(TM). They occur in a “straight” and “tapered” shape. These have gained popularity because they have greater brilliance than traditional baguettes. They can be used to flank diamonds or other stone in traditional settings, or used in very contemporary jewelry design with straight, clean lines.

Early cuts enjoy renewed popularity

Interest in antique and period jewelry is growing rapidly and, as it does, the diamonds that adorn them are arousing renewed attention and gaining new respect. The way a diamond is cut is often one of the clues to the age of a piece. Older diamonds can be replaced or re-cut to modern proportions, but replacing or re-cutting stones mounted in antique or period pieces could adversely affect the value of the jewelry. To preserve the integrity of the piece, antique and period jewelry connoisseurs want “original” stones, or, if stones have been replaced, at least stones cut in the manner typical of the period. The market is becoming increasingly strong for diamonds with older cuts, and pieces are also strengthening.

As these early cut diamonds receive more and more attention, a growing number of people are beginning to appreciate them for their distinctive beauty and personality, and for the romance that accompanies them. The romantic element, combined with a cost that is more attractive than new diamonds, is also making them an increasingly popular choice for engagement rings.

Some of the most popular early diamond cuts are: the table cut, the rose cut, the “old-mine” cut, the “old European” cut (Prior to 1919, when America began to emerge as an important diamond cutting center, most diamonds were cut in Europe. Most “Old European” diamonds were cut prior to the first quarter of the 29th century).

Table cut

The table cut illustrate man’s earliest cutting effort. By placing the point of a diamond crystal against a turning wheel that held another diamond, the point could be worn down, creating a squarish, flat surface that resembled a table top. Today we still call the flat facet on the very top of the stone the table facet.

Rose cut

The rose cut is a sixteen century cut, usually with a flat base and facets radiating from the center in multiples of six, creating the appearance of an opening rose-bud. The rose cut appears in round, pear, and oval shapes.

Old-mine cut

The old-mine cut was a precursor to the modern round. This cut had a squarish or “cushion” shape (a rounded square or rectangular) and more facets than today’s modern 58 facet diamond. Proportions followed the diamond crystal, so the crown is higher and pavilion deeper than modern stones. The table is very small, and the culet is very large and easily seen from the top (resembling a “hole” in the diamond). These lack the brilliance of modern stones, but often exhibit tremendous fire. Old-mine cut diamonds are also seen in pear and oval shape.

Old European cut

Appearing in the mid 1800s, the old European cut is similar to the old-mine cut diamonds, but is round rather than squarish, with 58 facets. The crown is higher than modern cuts, but not as high as in the old-mine cut; it has a deep pavilion, but not as deep as old-mines. The culet is still “open’ but smaller than old-mines.

Old cuts can be very beautiful. The intense “fire” exhibited by some old-mine and old-European cut can have tremendous allure. By today’s standards, however, they lack brilliance, and a very large culet may detract from the stone’s beauty.

Are diamonds with old cuts valuable?

Old-mine cut and old-European cut diamonds are normally evaluated by comparison to modern-cut stones. Value is usually determined by estimating the color, clarity, and the weight the stone would retain if it were re-cut to modern proportions.

It is not suggested to re-cut old diamonds if they are in their original mountings. The overall integrity of the piece, and value, would be adversely affected by doing so.

If the setting has no special merit, the decision must be an individual one, based on whether or not the stone appeals to you. As we have said, some older cuts are very lovely, while others may look heavy, dull, or lifeless. An unattractive older cut may have equal, or greater, value because of the improved make. In addition, re-cutting can sometimes improve the clarity grade of an older stone.

A word about re-cutting diamonds.

There are many fine diamond cutters in the United States, New York City is one of the most important diamond cutting centers in the world for top quality diamonds, and many diamonds can be greatly improved by re-cutting. The cost is surprisingly low when one considers the benefit to the stone, and effect of re-cutting on the diamond’s beauty and value (sometimes the clarity grade is also improved).

If you have an old-cut diamond which you don’t care for, or a damaged diamond, your jeweler can consult with a diamond cutter, or refer you to one, to determine whether or not your stone can be improved by re-cutting and, if so, what risks and costs might be involved.

A Knowledgeable jeweler can help you decide whether or not a diamond should be re-cut, make arrangement for you, and help assure you that you have received the same stone back. For your own comfort and security, as well as the cutter’s, we always recommend that prior to having a stone re-cut you obtain a diamond grading report or thorough appraisal so that you have a point of reference when the stone is returned.

To what extent does cutting and proportioning affect value in modern diamonds?

Excellently cut and proportioned stones cost significantly more per carat than those that are not cut well.

Remember: The value of two diamonds with the same weight, color, and clarity can differ dramatically because of differences in cutting.

The article above can be used on your web site or newsletter.

When it is published, May I request that you include my name and resource box (the bio., contact and copyright information that follows the article. I would also appreciate if you could send me an e-mail of notification along with a complimentary copy of publication.

Bijan Aziz is the owner and Web Master for The Jewelry Hut.

http://www.thejewelryhut.com

The best source for fine Diamond, gemstone, and Pearl Jewelry on the Web

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bijan_Aziz

Choosing Your Diamond Shape

noreply@blogger.com (JJ Lim) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:51:00 +0000

Choosing the shape of your diamond jewelry is one of the key
elements in determining the overall appearance of your ring
or other diamond jewelry. There are many shapes and
variations from which to choose, but first off do not
confuse "shape" with "cut". A diamond's shape is just that:
the outward appearance of the stone, whether it is round,
oval etc.; while the cut refers to how the diamond itself is
fashioned, how many facets and so on. Below I'll examine the
various diamond shapes and tell a little about each of them,
in order to help you make that all-important choice.

Round Brilliant Diamonds - By far the most popular,
accounting for more than 75% of diamonds purchased today,
they are also the most expensive. Most coveted as an
engagement ring, they also find their way into earrings and
pendants. Round Brilliant Diamonds are noted for their fire
and brilliance.

Oval Diamonds - A perfectly symmetrical design yields a
large surface area that gives the impression of a much
larger diamond, oval diamonds are favored by women with
smaller hands or shorter fingers, it's shape giving an
elongated look to the hand.

Princess Cut Diamonds - Though in appearance the smallest of
diamonds, a Princess Cut Diamond is basically an inverted
pyramid which puts most of the carat weight near the bottom.
Princess cut diamonds are most often sought as solitaires,
and are a relatively recent shape.

Marquise Diamonds - Another diamond shape that looks larger
than it actually is, the Marquise diamond is elongated with
points on each end, though sometimes altered to a "French
tip" where the end point is excised. A great choice for a
solitaire.

Emerald Cut - Rectangular with corner cuts, this diamond is
also called a step cut, because of the shape that resembles
stair steps. Large, open facets on this diamond make it
imperative to choose a stone of greater clarity and higher
color, as inclusions and weak color are more noticeable in
this cut.

Pear Shape Diamond - Exactly as it says, this diamond is
pear-shaped, or sometimes reminding one of a teardrop. Most
often found on pendants and earrings.

Heart Shaped Diamonds - A brilliant cut, the heart shaped
diamond is a romantic choice that varies from jeweler to
jeweler as it's shape can be greatly influenced by the skill
of whimsy of the gem cutter, as well as variable facet
configurations. Seek out a perfectly symmetrical stone.

Trillion Cut Diamonds - A newcomer, born in the late
seventies, this diamond is a triangle stone with equal
sides. These can make stunning earrings.

Baguette Cut Diamonds - Another step cut diamond shape that
is most frequently employed as side stones. Because it has
few facets, quality and color come into play more here as
imperfections become more visible in these uncomplicated,
though elegant diamonds.

Radiant Diamonds - A square or rectangularly shaped diamond,
the Radiant resembles the emerald shape but has 70 facets,
making it much more brilliant and dazzling than the Emerald
shape.

Asscher Cut Diamonds - A rectangular shaped diamond with high
crown step facets, this shape was patented in 1902 and is
know for it's fire and ability to return light.

Cushion Cut Diamonds - Sometimes referred to as "pillow
cut", this shape was popular in the 1800's. Cut with candle
light in mind, (nothing else available at the time!) the
cushion cut is a rectangular/squarish shape, with more than
a touch of old world elegance about it.

Kite, Trapezoid & Half-Moon diamonds - Lesser know shapes
used mainly for side stones.

Choosing the right diamond shape can be more easily
accomplished with a little information and the help of a
professional jeweler. Here's hoping you find that perfect
diamond!

Keith Thompson is very fond of diamonds, and runs http://www.engagement-ring-deals.info which can help in your search for the perfect diamond engagement ring.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Thompson

The Diamond Cutter

noreply@blogger.com (JJ Lim) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 06:30:00 +0000

Geshe Michael Roach is a Princeton graduate and a Buddhist monk. After graduation, he spent seven years studying the wisdom of Tibetan Buddhism. At the suggestion of his teacher, he joined a fledgling diamond business in New York to test his ideals in real life. He stayed with the business as a member of the core management team for seventeen years.

The company grew from a start-up with two owners and two employees to $100 million in sales and five hundred employees in offices around the world. The Diamond Cutter: The Buddha on Strategies for Managing Your Business and Your Life tells the story of how Geshe Michael Roach built the diamond division of this company, using principles culled from ancient Tibetan Buddhism as the driving force behind his decision making.

Drawing on lessons he learned in the diamond business and years in Buddhist monasteries, Roach shows how taking care of others is the ultimate path to taking care of oneself, even--especially--in business. As he puts it, you have to engage in "mental gardening," which means doing certain practical things that will form new habits that will create an ideal reality for you. If this sounds a little outrageous, his very precise instructions are down to earth and address numerous specific issues common to the business/management world. Through this practice, you will become a considerate, generous, introspective, creative person of immense integrity, and that will be the key to your wealth... A

Some of the many insights in The Diamond Cutter are as follows:

A business should be successful; it should make money. There is no conflict between spirituality and success in business. Successful business people have the resources to do more good in the world than those people without the same resources do. In addition, the very people who are attracted to business are the same people who have the strength to grasp and carry out the deeper practices of the spirit.

Money should be made honestly and with absolute integrity. How we make money matters more than anything else does. It determines our ability to keep making money as nobody can indefinitely run a business built on dishonesty or deception. It also significantly affects our ability to enjoy the money we make.

Nothing is good or bad in and of itself; everything has a hidden potential. This is what the Buddhists call emptiness. What is bad news for you may be good news for someone else, and vice versa. We must not leap to conclusions about events, but must stop to consider what potential they really have for us. Even competitors can be seen as fairy godmothers challenging us to find the correct path to greater accomplishment. It is a matter of perception. With the right state of mind, we can turn our problems into opportunities.

We should look ahead to the inevitable end of our days in business, and put ourselves in a position where we can honestly say our years in business had some meaning. The idea here is to anticipate our future, and move in a direction that will allow us to look back on our past with total joy and satisfaction.

The Diamond Cutter: The Buddha on Strategies for Managing Your Business and Your Life by Geshe Michael Roach (Author)

List Price: $23.95 through Barnes and Noble

Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours

About The Author

Janet K. Ilacqua is a freelance writer based in Tracy, California. She specializes in academic writing and ghostwriting of books and manuals for individuals and small businesses. For more information about her services, check her website at http://www.writeupondemand.com.
jilacqua@aol.com

Understanding the Different Cuts of Diamonds

noreply@blogger.com (JJ Lim) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 06:27:00 +0000

Diamonds are hot favorites all over the world not only because of their dazzling beauty, but also because they are so versatile; they look good on anyone and match everything. Diamonds come in many styles and varieties, called cuts. The value of a diamond in terms of price and popularity depends on the various cuts. The more popular cuts are more expensive than the less popular cuts. This is because the cut of the diamond enhances its beauty. So, you can see two diamonds of equal weight but cut differently with a price difference of hundreds of dollars.

The most popular cut in diamonds is the round cut. When diamonds are cut to look like circles they sparkle brightly. A round brilliant cut is one of the most expensive cuts of diamond. Round cut diamonds are very popular on engagement rings because they look beautiful as part of a multi-stone ring or as a solitaire. The round cut diamond looks nice on practically any hand.

The princess cut is of marginal popularity. It looks good as a solitaire or in a three-stone setting with smaller princess cut diamonds on either side of a large diamond. A princess cut looks like a square and can be faceted to sparkle. Rings made with princess cut diamonds tend to make fingers look shorter and stubbier, so they are not the right choice for those with already short fingers. Those with long fingers can wear a princess cut without any hesitation whatsoever.

One of the least expensive of cuts for diamonds is the emerald cut. It costs a lot less than a round brilliant diamond. Emerald cut looks like a rectangle, and is cut to appear layered. It gets its name because this is the way emeralds have always been cut. The emerald, being softer than the diamond, often got fractured in the process of cutting. Then the experts discovered that the emerald could be cut in a special way to preserve its integrity. This gave emeralds more life, and it became fashionable to wear emeralds. Soon it was discovered that diamonds could also be cut in this fashion, and the cut was called the emrald cut.

Diamonds with a marquis cut look like thin ovals with pointed ends. This cut makes the fingers look longer and adds elegance to any hand. This cut is already more popular than the emerald cut. It is usually worn as a solitaire or as the center of a multi-stone ring. However, if all the stones are not marquis cut, a multi-stone ring with something else as the center looks odd with marquis side stones.

There are other styles of diamonds also such as baguette and pave, which are mainly used for side stones to provide accents. Once you know what type of cut you like, and what enhances the beauty of your hand, you can get a ring set with your favorite cut diamonds.

About The Author

Amanti Leddar is the owner of A Guide To Diamonds, Inc. which is a comprehensive site containing replies to queries and content related to diamonds. For more details, go to: http://www.rjmdiamonds.com.

Selecting The Cut of A Diamond and The Way They Are Cut

noreply@blogger.com (JJ Lim) — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 04:39:00 +0000

There are quite a few cuts of diamonds to select from. The cut basically relates to the shape that the diamond is cut into, except if you are in the diamond or jewelry field, simply this shape has a great affect on much the diamond glitters.

The most favorite cuts are pear, heart, marquise, oval, princess, round, trillion, and emerald cuts. The shape has an affect on the extent the diamond sparkles, but the true cutting itself, when the diamond cutter really cuts the diamond into a specific shape, also counts a great deal. If the diamond is badly cut, it will suffer its sparkle.

In the diamond business the cut of a diamond does not relate to its shape at all. On the contrary, this is a reference point to the stone’s brilliance, depth, width, durability, clarity, and other facets of the diamond. General cutting difficulties are a missing or off center culet, not properly aligned, a diamond that is too thick or too thin, crackings, or broken culets.

If looking for a diamond, you should choose the shape that you care for the best, but then consider several assorted diamonds of that shape to locate the one with the best cut, the diamond that sparkles best, in all kinds of lighting.

Diamonds Are Cut How

In their most natural configuration, diamonds are, well, quite unattractive. They have no splendor or radiance,and in fact, they look like nothing but broken glass. A diamond has to be cut, and then made shiny and smooth before it really becomes a thing of beauty.

Diamonds are cut with saws, into round forms. From the rounded shape, other shapes perhaps will be cut, such as heart shapes, but the shape is less significant than the caliber of the cutting that is being performed. When the diamond is badly cut, it will lose light, and it will not glitter and shine very well. Every surface of the diamond must be cautiously cut into the geometrical shapes that permit the diamond to sparkle and glow, then the whole diamond is cut into a particular shape, like an emerald cut or a princess cut diamond.

As soon as the cut is finished, the diamond is put into a dop, which looks like a cup with another diamond, only a diamond is strong enough to polish the edges of another diamond. As soon as the diamond has been cut and shaped, and had the edges polished in the dop, it is smoothed on a scaif or a diamond polishing wheel.

About The Author

James Ellison

Jim's articles are from extensive research on each of his topics. You can learn more of diamonds by visiting: http://www.greatdiamondtips.com

Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Rings

noreply@blogger.com (JJ Lim) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:23:00 +0000

An engagement ring is a piece of jewelry that remains close to the heart. Engagement rings represent faith, love and commitment in a relationship. They are unique, creating an impact on the person it is gifted to. There are a variety of engagement rings available in the market with different stones, cuts and shapes. Amongst all, diamonds are considered the most appropriate, especially when they are purchased for women. The diamond engagement rings are extremely popular and they are available in exclusive designs. The cushion cut is traditional and is also known as a "pillow cut." Cushion cut diamond engagement rings are referred to as antique estate engagement rings.

Most of the latest varieties are designed with electric light highlighting, whereas cushion cut diamond rings are done, keeping candlelight in mind. These rings have larger facets and rounded corners as compared to other. This increases their sparkle in candlelight. The facet plan and rounded corners of cushion cut diamond engagement rings give a certain depth to the diamonds, which in turn enhances the real beauty of these rings. The surface area of these rings allows a person to see through the diamond. Cushion cut diamond rings are more soothing in comparison to the modern varieties and look gorgeous at romantic candlelight dinners. Most of these rings are mainly found in the antique and estate markets, but due to their increasing popularity, they are being offered by selected companies too.

Though cushion cut diamond engagement rings are not as brilliant as the contemporary rings, they still have the ability to stand out in a host of other brilliant pieces, due to their magnificent and classic appeal. The rings are known to epitomize the emotion and love being conveyed by the person. They symbolize perfection and are truly a girl's best friend.

Diamond Engagement Rings provides detailed information on Diamond Engagement Rings, Platinum Diamond Engagement Rings, Diamond Solitaire Engagement Rings, Antique Diamond Engagement Rings and more. Diamond Engagement Rings is affiliated with Diamond Wedding Rings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Richard_Romando