EDUCATION
Gemstones captivate with their beauty and allure, and one of the factors that contribute to their visual appeal is their shape.
Gemstone shapes play a significant role in jewelry design, allowing for versatility and creative expression. This is especially true in the case of diamond piercings where the focus is on the stone.
This encyclopedia explores various shapes of gemstones, highlighting their characteristics, popular uses, and notable examples.
ROUND
Round shape is one of the most popular and classic cuts for gemstones. Round gemstones are faceted to maximize brilliance and light reflection, showcasing the stone's natural sparkle.
This shape is commonly used for diamonds but can also be found in other gemstones such as rubies, sapphires, and emeralds.
OVAL
Oval-shaped gemstones feature an elongated, curved outline with rounded edges.
This shape exhibits elegance and versatility, as it can be used as a centerpiece or accent stone in jewelry.
Oval gemstones, like opals and amethysts, offer a unique twist on traditional round cuts.
PEAR (TEARDROP)
Pear-shaped gemstone resembles a teardrop, with a rounded bottom and a tapering point at the top.
This shape offers a touch of sophistication and can be used in various jewelry designs, including pendants and earrings.
Pear-shaped gemstones such as diamonds, tanzanite, and tourmaline create a distinctive look.
EMERALD
Emerald shape, also known as the emerald cut, features a rectangular shape with trimmed corners and stepped facets.
This cut highlights the gemstone's clarity and color while providing a sleek, sophisticated appearance.
It is commonly used for emeralds (hence the name) but is also popular for other gemstones like aquamarine and morganite.
PRINCESS
Princess shape is a square or rectangular cut with pointed corners.
This shape combines the brilliance of a round cut with a modern, geometric aesthetic.
Princess-cut gemstones, such as diamonds, sapphires, and topazes, offer a stunning display of sparkle and are often used in engagement rings and other jewelry pieces.
CUSHION
Cushion-cut gemstones feature a square or rectangular shape with rounded corners, resembling a pillow or cushion.
This shape provides a vintage and romantic appeal.
Cushion-cut gemstones, like sapphires, rubies, and citrines, offer a balance between brilliance and a softer, more romantic appearance.
MARQUISE
Marquise-shaped gemstones have an elongated, boat-shaped outline with pointed ends.
This shape exudes elegance and sophistication, making it a popular choice for engagement rings and statement jewelry.
Marquise-cut gemstones, such as diamonds, emeralds, and garnets, create a dramatic and eye-catching look.
BAGUETTE
Baguette Cut has been popular since the early 20th century.
Most commonly used as side stones or accents in jewelry designs, the Baguette Cut has simple step facets that emphasize the gemstone's clarity over its brilliance.
The steps run parallel to the length of the gemstone, leading the eye along its elongated shape.
Because of its simplicity, the Baguette Cut requires high-quality gemstones with few inclusions, as these imperfections cannot be hidden by the cut.
TRILLION CUT
Trillion Cut, also known as the Trilliant Cut, is a triangular shaped cut that can have either curved or straight sides.
This cut, with its 31 to 50 facets, can exhibit incredible brilliance, especially when applied to gemstones that have a high refractive index like diamonds.
The Trillion Cut can vary greatly depending on the precise angles of its facets and the depth of the cut.
While often used as side stones, Trillion Cuts can also stand alone as the center stone in a piece of jewelry, where they can truly showcase their unique and dramatic shape.