Diamond Shape Emerald

The Essentials You Need To Know When Purchasing and Caring For Your Diamond.

Emerald Cut Diamond

The Emerald Cut is a classic "step" cut diamond. Step cut stones have facets which run the entire width and length of the stone, usually parallel to the edges, and applied in a step like fashion to the crown and pavilion. Emerald Cut diamonds have a different appearance from most other shapes. The facets throw large flashes of light rather than many smaller pinpoints. Emerald Cut diamonds are well recognized for their icy cool appearance and the shape is both elegant and classic. The Emerald Cut came into fashion during the art deco period and derived its name because the cut was most often used when cutting Emerald gemstones of the day.

Emerald Cut diamonds are elegant by themselves as solitaires or graced on the sides with other Emerald Cut, Baguette or Trillion diamonds.

Selecting a Well Cut Emerald

Care should be taken when selecting an Emerald Cut diamond's clarity grade. Because the diamond has very long and slender facets, it is very easy to see imperfections within the diamond. Our suggestion would be to look for Emerald Cuts of no lower than SI1 in clarity; preferably VS2 or higher.

The science of analyzing light performance in diamonds utilizing computer models is in its infancy. To date, only the American Gem Society Laboratory (AGSL) has developed a cut grade for the Emerald Cut. Until clear standards have been widely adopted it is best to look for a clear rectangular outline and follow the suggested proportions and characteristics below as a guide.

What to Look For

Cut Factor	Excellent	Very Good	Good
Length to Width	1.33 - 1.66	1.33 - 1.66	""
Table %	53% - 58%	53% - 65%	""
Total Depth %	60% - 63%	59% - 65%	""
Girdle Thickness	Thin - Thick	Thin - Thick	""
Cut Grade (GIA - AGSL)	EX	EX - VG	""
Polish	EX	EX - VG	""
Symmetry	EX	EX - VG	""