When you set your sights on the perfect diamond engagement ring, the cut of the diamond is a big part of what makes it so appealing. While the round cut (or round brilliant cut) is the most common and popular of all diamond cuts, there are many others that may be better suited to your personal preferences — including the emerald cut. Emerald cut diamonds have been around in one form or another for centuries, but they’ve recently come back into fashion as one of the top alternatives to the round brilliant cut.
But this probably leaves you with a lot of important questions. First and foremost, what is an emerald cut diamond? What does it look like? How many facets does the emerald cut have? What’s the difference between a baguette and an emerald cut? Are emerald cut diamond rings more expensive? Finally, where can you find pre-owned emerald cut diamond engagement rings at affordable prices?
In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let’s take a closer look at the aesthetics and origin of the emerald cut diamond:
What Is An Emerald Cut Diamond?
The emerald cut is one of the more recognizable diamond cuts, as it features an elongated crown and graduated, parallel steps. Unlike cuts that focus on creating dozens of tiny facets, the emerald cut is all about long lines and symmetry. Similar to the square cut, the emerald cut features two sets of parallel sides. If not for the cut corners, all four primary sides of the emerald cut would form a perpendicular rectangle.
Technically, the emerald cut dates back roughly 500 years. In the 1500s, gemstone experts of the time developed this simple yet elegant cut for actual emeralds. Since emeralds are not as strong as diamonds, stonecutters needed an easy way to cut them without causing damage to the emerald gemstones. This evolution of the standard table cut allowed for graduated steps on either side. Diamond cutters of the time adopted this style as a way to make diamonds look bigger.
For centuries, this cut was just seen as a variation of existing cuts, combining the clean lines of the table cut with the longer crown and table used for emerald gemstones. However, the cut experienced a renaissance during the Art Deco period of the early 20th century, when clean lines and symmetry were being used in everything from high fashion to architecture. It was around this time that people began calling it the “Emerald Cut” (an obvious reference to its origins in emerald cutting), and it has since been among the most popular diamond cuts on the market.
How Many Facets Are In An Emerald Cut Diamond?
Despite its somewhat subdued appearance, the emerald cut has a relatively high number of facets that can fall somewhere between 49 and 57. Some cuts may differ slightly, but the standard 49 to 57-facet range is found in nearly every emerald cut diamond across the globe. To put this in perspective, a round brilliant cut diamond typically has between 57 and 58 facets, while a radiant cut diamond can have up to 70 facets.
However, what separates the emerald cut diamond from alternative cuts is the way the facets are arranged. The emerald cut typically has 25 facets on the crown; these function as graduated steps and smaller versions of the parallel edges, giving the cut an “endless” appearance when looking at it from above. Additionally, the emerald cut features roughly 8 facets along the girdle and 25 for the pavilion underneath.
Baguette Vs Emerald Cut Diamonds
If you were to glance at an emerald cut diamond, you might mistake it for the less common baguette cut — and for good reason. The two cuts are nearly identical on the surface, except for two very important features: the corners and the facets. The most obvious difference that you can see with the naked eye is the style of the corners. The baguette cut features four sharp corners, so that the diamond forms a perfect rectangle. Alternatively, the emerald cut has beveled corners that give the diamond an octagonal shape. However, it’s important to note that the corner edges of the emerald cut are quite small, making it easier to mistake an emerald cut diamond for a baguette cut diamond or vice versa.
Additionally, these two cuts differ substantially in the number of facets required. Compared to the emerald cut, the baguette cut is very simple with just 14 total facets. This also means that the baguette cut does not create as much shine or sparkle as the emerald cut, the latter of which features more than three times as many facets.
Do Emerald Cut Diamonds Sparkle?
Yes, emerald cut diamonds do sparkle, but they are generally chosen for their shape and perceived size, as opposed to the way they reflect light. This is because they are less sparkly than the round brilliant cut, cushion cut, or radiant cut. But just because emerald cuts may sparkle less than other cuts by default does not mean that you can’t get an emerald cut diamond that shimmers and sparkles dramatically. It all depends on the natural fire and brilliance of the diamond.
Are Emerald Cut Diamonds More Expensive?
Yes and no. While round brilliant cut diamonds are generally regarded as the most expensive cut (due to the high demand and overall popularity), emerald cuts see a lot more variance in prices. As a general rule, they tend to be on the more expensive end of the diamond cut spectrum; they are usually less expensive than round brilliant cut diamonds but more expensive than oval and princess cuts.
However, the cost of an emerald cut diamond can vary a lot based on the size and quality of the diamond. For example, a 4-carat emerald cut diamond is probably going to cost substantially more than a 2-carat or 3-carat diamond of a different cut. Additionally, you’ll need to consider other factors, like the color and clarity of the diamond. If you’re trying to figure out how to select or choose the perfect emerald cut diamond, just make sure to review your budget and consider the 4 C’s of diamonds (cut, color, carat, and clarity).
How To Buy Or Sell Used Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Rings
Are you in the market to buy or sell a pre-owned emerald cut diamond engagement ring? Do you want to get a good price and work through a trusted online platform? If so, Have You Seen The Ring is the perfect solution.
At HYSTR, we have hundreds of used and pre-owned emerald cut diamond engagement rings for sale. You can find one that fits your budget and make an offer directly with the seller. Then, one of our trained gemologists authenticates the ring before sending it to your door. If you want to sell an emerald cut ring, simply upload pictures and information about the ring and field offers from prospective buyers. Once you’ve agreed on a price, you send the ring to us for authentication and then wait for your check in the mail. It’s truly the best way to buy and sell pre-owned emerald cut diamond engagement rings online!
We hope you enjoyed our emerald cut diamond ring guide! Are you currently trying to buy or sell a used engagement ring? If so, be sure to contact HYSTR today!
