Tips and Tricks
What You Need to Know About Emerald Cut Diamonds | Rare Carat
- The emerald shape is classic - Beyoncé and Paris Hilton chose emerald cut diamonds.
- Emerald shape diamonds have what is called a “step cut”. Meaning, not only will your diamond have incredible flashes of light, it also won’t need to have an excessive depth, which leaves all the carat weight right on top (and thus looks bigger).
- When it comes to color, my advice is; don’t go below H, emerald cut diamonds are not forgiving.
- Emeralds are even also terrible at hiding inclusions. I wouldn’t go below a VS2 clarity diamond. Also, make sure you see an actual picture of the diamond to see where the inclusions are located.
Learn more about diamond shapes.
Which 4 C grades should I prioritize when selecting an emerald-cut diamond?
Because the facets are large and open, flaws and color tones are more visible in an emerald cut. Consider diamonds that are grade VS2 or better with H color. Such a diamond typically looks bright and clean.
Why does everyone say an emerald-cut diamond looks bigger than its carat weight?
That’s because of the way they are cut! Emeralds use what’s called a “step cut.” This means the diamond doesn't need to have excessive depth, so all the carat weight is kept right on top. This makes the diamond’s surface area look much larger than a different cut with the exact same carat weight.
What should I keep in mind when choosing an emerald cut instead of a brilliant-cut diamond?
In most cases, buyers interested in sparkle select a brilliant cut. An emerald diamond, on the other hand, is massively popular among buyers for its broad, mirror-like flashes rather than fire or scintillation. Secondly, if you are going for a bigger carat size for such diamonds, you also need to keep in mind that they don’t hide inclusions or color that well.
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Emerald Cut Diamond FAQs