Cushion Cut Diamonds, Features, Buy Cushion Cut Diamonds, Rings: Shopping

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Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Sick of the Same-Old, Same-Old? Not into the Round Diamond? Check Out Some Favorite Shapes

Ascher cut engagement rings are gorgeous...... and I'm not just saying this because Joel proposed to me with one, I promise.

The cut was first designed in 1902 by Joseph Asscher, a world-famous diamond cutter. Joseph Asscher is known for cutting the largest diamond in history, the Cullinan diamond. Original Asscher cut diamonds are extremely rare.

The ascher cut is very similar to the emerald cut but has a square shape versus a rectangular shape. The cropped corners and square cut are designed to draw your eyes deep within the diamond. Ascher stones are always set in a four prong setting to prevent them from chipping.

Ascher cut diamonds were most popular during the Art Deco period in the 1920s. While they are experencing a resurgance in popularity, they are still fairly uncommon.

Celebrities have jumped on the ascher cut bandwagon. Reese Witherspoon and Kate Hudson both have beautiful ascher rings.

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Cushion cut diamonds were the most popular stone in the past. This is why you will find many at antique stores and estate sales. You could say they were the round diamonds of the past.

The cushion cut diamond was fashioned so that its brilliance would be reflected by candle light versus diamonds nowadays which are cut to be flattering under electric light. Cushion cut diamonds are a combination of an old mine cut (antique cut with deep facets)and an oval cut. They are also referred to as pillow cut diamonds cuz they kind of have the shape of.....guess what... a pillow.

The rounded edges and large facets of the cushion cut increase the diamond's depth so that it appears you can look deep into it. The facets highlight the diamond's clarity, something to consider when looking to make a purchase. However, compared to other cuts, the cushion does not reflect as much light as others, hence it as not as sparkly.

Cushion cuts come in a variety of shapes and there are less industry standards as compared with other cuts. For a square shape, look for a length-witdth ratio of around 1. For a rectangular shape look for a length-width ratio greater than 1.15.

The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Shields

Diamond Education and Guide: Cushion Shape Diamond

The cushion cut diamond was one of the most popular cuts of diamonds ever. For more than 70 years from 1830 to the turn of the century this was the diamonds cut. Sometimes referred to as a “pillow cut”, the cushion cut has an open culet, the bottom of the diamond, and a rectangular to square shape with rounded corners and a facet plan to give the diamond depth. The cushion cut diamond was cut for candle light. This is quite different from today’s diamonds which are cut for brighter denser electric light. The beauty of a cushion cut is the depth of the diamond. The facets allow the eye to travel into the diamond. It’s a calmer more soothing cut than a modern cut and at a romantic candlelight dinner, the cushion is at its best.

For the most pleasing effect, choose a Cushion Shape diamond in length to width ratio range between 1.1 and 1.2. The radiance that comes from the Cushion Shape diamond is dependent on the cut of the stone, as well as the color and clarity.

Larger facets of a Cushion Shape diamond means that the clarity is highlighted, which makes it specially important that you choose a diamond that has been graded as having a good clarity. Otherwise, your diamond will not be able to reflect well and it will appear dull and opaque.

The article above can be used on your web site or newsletter. When it is published, May I request that you include my name and resource box (the bio., contact and copyright information that follows the article. I would also appreciate if you could send me an e-mail of notification along with a complimentary copy of publication.

Bijan Aziz is the owner and Web Master for The Jewelry Hut.

http://www.thejewelryhut.com/html/diamond.html - the best source for fine Diamond, gemstone, and Pearl Jewelry on the Web

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bijan_Aziz

Monday, September 7, 2009

Understanding the Different Cuts of Diamonds

Diamonds are hot favorites all over the world not only because of their dazzling beauty, but also because they are so versatile; they look good on anyone and match everything. Diamonds come in many styles and varieties, called cuts. The value of a diamond in terms of price and popularity depends on the various cuts. The more popular cuts are more expensive than the less popular cuts. This is because the cut of the diamond enhances its beauty. So, you can see two diamonds of equal weight but cut differently with a price difference of hundreds of dollars.

The most popular cut in diamonds is the round cut. When diamonds are cut to look like circles they sparkle brightly. A round brilliant cut is one of the most expensive cuts of diamond. Round cut diamonds are very popular on engagement rings because they look beautiful as part of a multi-stone ring or as a solitaire. The round cut diamond looks nice on practically any hand.

The princess cut is of marginal popularity. It looks good as a solitaire or in a three-stone setting with smaller princess cut diamonds on either side of a large diamond. A princess cut looks like a square and can be faceted to sparkle. Rings made with princess cut diamonds tend to make fingers look shorter and stubbier, so they are not the right choice for those with already short fingers. Those with long fingers can wear a princess cut without any hesitation whatsoever.

One of the least expensive of cuts for diamonds is the emerald cut. It costs a lot less than a round brilliant diamond. Emerald cut looks like a rectangle, and is cut to appear layered. It gets its name because this is the way emeralds have always been cut. The emerald, being softer than the diamond, often got fractured in the process of cutting. Then the experts discovered that the emerald could be cut in a special way to preserve its integrity. This gave emeralds more life, and it became fashionable to wear emeralds. Soon it was discovered that diamonds could also be cut in this fashion, and the cut was called the emrald cut.

Diamonds with a marquis cut look like thin ovals with pointed ends. This cut makes the fingers look longer and adds elegance to any hand. This cut is already more popular than the emerald cut. It is usually worn as a solitaire or as the center of a multi-stone ring. However, if all the stones are not marquis cut, a multi-stone ring with something else as the center looks odd with marquis side stones.

There are other styles of diamonds also such as baguette and pave, which are mainly used for side stones to provide accents. Once you know what type of cut you like, and what enhances the beauty of your hand, you can get a ring set with your favorite cut diamonds.

About The Author

Amanti Leddar is the owner of A Guide To Diamonds, Inc. which is a comprehensive site containing replies to queries and content related to diamonds. For more details, go to: http://www.rjmdiamonds.com.

Selecting The Cut of A Diamond and The Way They Are Cut

There are quite a few cuts of diamonds to select from. The cut basically relates to the shape that the diamond is cut into, except if you are in the diamond or jewelry field, simply this shape has a great affect on much the diamond glitters.

The most favorite cuts are pear, heart, marquise, oval, princess, round, trillion, and emerald cuts. The shape has an affect on the extent the diamond sparkles, but the true cutting itself, when the diamond cutter really cuts the diamond into a specific shape, also counts a great deal. If the diamond is badly cut, it will suffer its sparkle.

In the diamond business the cut of a diamond does not relate to its shape at all. On the contrary, this is a reference point to the stone’s brilliance, depth, width, durability, clarity, and other facets of the diamond. General cutting difficulties are a missing or off center culet, not properly aligned, a diamond that is too thick or too thin, crackings, or broken culets.

If looking for a diamond, you should choose the shape that you care for the best, but then consider several assorted diamonds of that shape to locate the one with the best cut, the diamond that sparkles best, in all kinds of lighting.

Diamonds Are Cut How

In their most natural configuration, diamonds are, well, quite unattractive. They have no splendor or radiance,and in fact, they look like nothing but broken glass. A diamond has to be cut, and then made shiny and smooth before it really becomes a thing of beauty.

Diamonds are cut with saws, into round forms. From the rounded shape, other shapes perhaps will be cut, such as heart shapes, but the shape is less significant than the caliber of the cutting that is being performed. When the diamond is badly cut, it will lose light, and it will not glitter and shine very well. Every surface of the diamond must be cautiously cut into the geometrical shapes that permit the diamond to sparkle and glow, then the whole diamond is cut into a particular shape, like an emerald cut or a princess cut diamond.

As soon as the cut is finished, the diamond is put into a dop, which looks like a cup with another diamond, only a diamond is strong enough to polish the edges of another diamond. As soon as the diamond has been cut and shaped, and had the edges polished in the dop, it is smoothed on a scaif or a diamond polishing wheel.

About The Author

James Ellison

Jim's articles are from extensive research on each of his topics. You can learn more of diamonds by visiting: http://www.greatdiamondtips.com

Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Rings

An engagement ring is a piece of jewelry that remains close to the heart. Engagement rings represent faith, love and commitment in a relationship. They are unique, creating an impact on the person it is gifted to. There are a variety of engagement rings available in the market with different stones, cuts and shapes. Amongst all, diamonds are considered the most appropriate, especially when they are purchased for women. The diamond engagement rings are extremely popular and they are available in exclusive designs. The cushion cut is traditional and is also known as a "pillow cut." Cushion cut diamond engagement rings are referred to as antique estate engagement rings.

Most of the latest varieties are designed with electric light highlighting, whereas cushion cut diamond rings are done, keeping candlelight in mind. These rings have larger facets and rounded corners as compared to other. This increases their sparkle in candlelight. The facet plan and rounded corners of cushion cut diamond engagement rings give a certain depth to the diamonds, which in turn enhances the real beauty of these rings. The surface area of these rings allows a person to see through the diamond. Cushion cut diamond rings are more soothing in comparison to the modern varieties and look gorgeous at romantic candlelight dinners. Most of these rings are mainly found in the antique and estate markets, but due to their increasing popularity, they are being offered by selected companies too.

Though cushion cut diamond engagement rings are not as brilliant as the contemporary rings, they still have the ability to stand out in a host of other brilliant pieces, due to their magnificent and classic appeal. The rings are known to epitomize the emotion and love being conveyed by the person. They symbolize perfection and are truly a girl's best friend.

Diamond Engagement Rings provides detailed information on Diamond Engagement Rings, Platinum Diamond Engagement Rings, Diamond Solitaire Engagement Rings, Antique Diamond Engagement Rings and more. Diamond Engagement Rings is affiliated with Diamond Wedding Rings.