Emerald Cut Diamonds: Pros, Cons & How to Choose

The emerald cut diamond is currently a big trend, especially when it comes to engagement rings. The likes of Beyonce, J. Lo, Jennifer Lawrence, Ellen Pompeo and Amal Clooney have all sported this elegant design in some form or another. This cut certainly adds a lot of drama and sophisticated sparkle to any finger, and it can add it to yours too!

Love the idea of a diamond cut that the world’s biggest celebs can’t get enough of? So do we! Join us as we find out all about the emerald cut.

What Is An Emerald Cut Diamond?

An emerald cut is most commonly a rectangular shape with small facets that are cut like stairs. You can also get an emerald cut in a square, which is less common but equally eye catching. This style of cut is very modern looking and doesn’t tend to look too natural in a jewellery setting.

You can get an emerald cut diamond in any colour you want. The style works well with high-clarity clear diamonds, as well as lower clarity colour diamonds. If you want to save some money, colour is the way to go.

What Is The Origin And History Of Emerald Cut Diamonds?

The shape of an emerald cut diamond may look very modern but it is actually thought to be one of the oldest shapes jewellers have used for diamonds. This particular style of cutting was first used in the 1500s because it is an easier way to cut the hard stone. The shape also makes it harder to chip the stone while you are wearing it.

The name emerald cut, however, was only used for the style in the 1920s in the Art Deco movement. It was in this era that the shape really caught on in popularity for diamond jewellery, and it has remained a popular choice of diamond cut for engagement rings ever since.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Emerald Cut Diamonds?

As already mentioned, the emerald cut is hard to chip when wearing, making it a good choice for a stone in a ring you will likely wear all the time. The faceted cut to this shape also prevents major sparkle in light, but rather a more subdued glint. The cut also tends to look larger than most other diamond cuts, meaning you get a lot more on your finger in an engagement ring.

On the downside, this style of cut makes it tricky to hide flaws in the stone. The large, flat surface will show up inclusions a lot easier than other cuts. This is why you need to go for a higher clarity than you might with the same size stone, or go for a colour diamond.

How To Measure And Select An Emerald Cut Diamond

It is trickier to assess an emerald cut diamond because there isn’t an official cut grade for this shape. The best thing to do is look at depth percentage. Anything under 74% is considered good quality and should give you a stunning stone. It’s also good to look at the length to width ratio for that true rectangular shape.

What Are The Best Ring Settings For Emerald Cut Diamonds?

The emerald cut is a standout cut and looks great on its own in a solitaire setting. This simple setting will showcase the stone and make your finger look slimmer and longer. If you want a bit more bling, go for the pave setting. This is where you have small, accent stones along the top half of the ring on either side of your main stone. Another great option is the three-stone setting. This is where you have two smaller stones on either side of the main stone, often a contrasting cut sitting perpendicularly to the main stone.

Just remember, the emerald cut stone picks up the light and colour from the diamond setting. You need to ensure that the metal you use suits the look of the diamond.

How Much Are Emerald Cut Diamonds?

In general, emerald cuts are cheaper than most other shapes, especially round shapes. This is because there is less wastage when cutting an emerald shape. You lose less of the stone in the cutting process than you do cutting a rounded shape from a rough diamond.

However, you generally need to go for a higher quality diamond in an emerald cut. This means that you might be paying less when comparing carats or clarity directly, but you could end up paying more because you have to go for the higher quality than you would with a round shape.

What Does An Emerald Cut Diamond Say About You?

The emerald cut is a timeless, elegant look that says a lot about the wearer. The fact that you have to consider the stone carefully in order to get one that looks just right, and often spend a bit more money on a higher clarity, means that it shows your taste. There is definitely a touch of old-world glamour and sophistication to this cut.

How Popular Are Emerald Cut Diamonds In The Us And Around The World?

With the likes of Amal Clooney and Beyonce sporting engagement rings with emerald cut diamonds, it’s safe to say that the popularity of this cut is riding high. Add to that the fact that it is harder to chip a diamond in this cut, and you can see why women around the world are opting for this cut for their engagement rings. It’s a cut that says elegance and it will wear well over time.

Comparing Emerald Cut Diamonds vs Other Diamond Cuts

The emerald cut is often compared to the cushion cut and the Asscher cut. These are the most similar to the emerald, but with distinct differences. The Asscher is the square version of the emerald cut but is identical in every other way. The choice between the two comes down entirely to preference in the shape and how it looks on your finger.

The cushion cut is a softer version of the emerald cut, giving the stone a more modern look in the twenty-first century. This cut exhibits a higher brilliance and shine than the emerald, making it more popular. The emerald cut is considered more timeless and it’s a great choice if you’re in the market for a sparkler!