Round Brilliant: The most common style of
cutting both diamonds and colored stones. The standard round brilliant consists of 57
facets; 1 table, 8 bezel facets, 8 star facets and 16 upper-girdle facets on the crown;
and 8 pavilion facets, 16 lower girdle facets; and usually a culet on the pavilion.
Modifications of the round brilliant include such fancy shapes as the marquise, half moon,
pear shape and many others.
Pear: A
variation of the Brilliant cut, with 58 facets to only 56 facets when the pavilion facets
at the head and tail are eliminated. Common length-to-width ratio: 1 to
1.50-1.75.
Oval: A brilliant style of cutting with
57 facets in which the girdle outline is elliptical or a rounded oblong. Common
length-to-width ratio: 1 to 1.30-1.65.
Marquise: This diamond has a boat shaped girdle with 57 facets. The
shape and placement of the facets is of the brilliant type. Common length-to-width
ratio: 1 to 1.80-2.20.
Heart:
Common length-to-width ratio: 1 to 0.90-1.10
Trillion
(or: Trilliant, trielle): Common length-to-width ratio: 1 to 0.90-1.10
Emerald: A form of step cutting. It usually is rectangular but
sometimes is square, in which case it is known as a square emerald cut. It has rows
(steps) of elongated facets on the crown and pavilion, parallel to the girdle, and with
corner facets. The number of rows of elongated facets may vary, although the usual number
is three on the crown and three on the pavilion. Common length-to-width ratio: 1 to
1.40-1.70.
Princess (also the patented
Quadrillion): with at least 45 facets (no culet) normally close to a square
shape but may come in elongated versions.
Radiant:
Patented cut with 70 facets (often confused with "cut corners
Princess/Quadrillions").
