Many people know the basic diamond cuts namely round and oval, which leads to stunning faceting that sparkles like fire. However, you may be unfamiliar with step cut stones, which are stylish, striking and quite trendy right now. We present the most important aspects of step cut diamonds to help you decide whether any of these is the right option for you. First, let us take a look at the most important of all facts concerning these diamonds, shared by rockher.com.
What Are Step Cut Diamonds?
The term “step cut” is used to refer to a square- or rectangular-shaped diamond, whose facets are set parallel to each other. The diamond cut gets the name from how facets are arranged; these appear bigger than the facets of a brilliant cut stone and resemble steps.
Step cut diamonds were popular during the Art Deco period, as jewelers used these as part of their architectural jewelry settings. Those Art Deco engagement rings are back in vogue, and step cuts play a key role in making these popular.
Step Cut Diamond Styles
All these diamonds are often longer, more rectangular. Not all step-cut stones are one and the same, but each one has its own features which make it unique. These are some of the diamonds that come under the “step-cut” family.
Emerald Cut Diamond
This is the most popular step-cut diamond, owing to its regal look. Celebrities, especially royal people, love that look. An emerald-shaped stone is rectangular and has eight sides. The long and rectangular facets create a “hall of mirrors” effect, which refers to the flashes of light in it.
Asscher Cut Diamond
Named after the Asscher Brothers, this diamond often resembles a princess cut stone from a distance owing to its squarish shape. From up close, however, it has distinct cuts extending from its corners to the middle culet that make the shine.
Baguette Cut Diamonds
Asscher and emerald diamonds have much softer corners, but a baguette has sharper and more pronounced edges which create a distinct shape. The cuts used to make a baguette diamond do not allow for plenty of shine, but these reflect the light distinctly, like a hologram. A solitaire baguette diamond ring is available on the market, but you will also find these rocks set to the sides of the centerpiece in jewelry with the three-stone setting.
Carré Diamond
This is the least popular step diamond cut, but it is an interesting stone to look at. Both the facets and the square shape of a carré cut diamond, make the gem resemble a pyramid when you view it from the top.
Brilliant Cut versus Step Cut
The main difference between both is in the amount of shine. Brilliant diamond cuts, most commonly princess and round, have the most sparkle. These have more facets compared to step cut diamonds, and their facets are kite-shaped and triangular, which lend the stone a fiery light appearance.
Step cut diamonds also have fire or sparkle, but slightly less than the brilliant cut counterparts. These are regarded as extremely elegant diamonds, but because these have fewer facets in comparison to brilliant diamonds, these do not reflect just as much light.
Pros of Step Cut Stones
Many celebrities have engagement rings featuring these fancy-shaped diamonds. For an uninitiated, any diamond that is not round is considered to have a fancy shape. Ever since singer Lady Gaga and Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton flashed their emerald-shaped diamond rings, these experienced an increase in popularity. The sleek look of these diamonds appeals to lovers of fashion, leaning towards minimalist, and vintage jewelry. Step cut diamonds keep more of the raw stone’s carat weight, so these cost less money than brilliant cuts (where more of the rough rock is discarded). These may sparkle less in comparison to their brilliant cut diamond counterparts, but these offer a much better showcase for the clarity.
What to Consider When Choosing Step Cut Diamonds
In the case a step cut gemstone appeals to you, then you may have to prioritize its clarity over carat weight, cut, and color. Why? Because any internal flaw in these will not be as hidden to the naked eye as it would be by the faceting on other diamonds.
How the Price Compares
The priciest diamond cut is the round brilliant one due to the precision cutting needed to make more facets as well as the amount of the rough stone lost in the cutting process. Owing to their relatively lower facet count, Asscher and emerald cut diamonds are two of the cheaper ones.
It is worth noting that you would not seek out carré and baguette diamonds for the centerpiece of your engagement jewelry piece. Both are conventionally used as side diamonds in pieces with multiple stones. Keep in mind that more facets do not make a more stunning diamond, but it is all about your style.