Did you know about 88% of Americans marry for love? As such, an engagement is an important event. For most buyers, choosing the perfect ring is a personal process that goes beyond the 4Cs (clarity, cut, color, and carat). Many believe that the ring must reflect their partner’s personality.
Two of the most common styles for engagement rings are the round brilliant and the cushion cut. In this article, we look at their characteristics and the significance of the cut when choosing a diamond.
Why the Cut Is Important
The cut does not refer to the shape of the stone, but the arrangement of facets of the jewel. Jewelers carefully examine the stone using sophisticated software and algorithms to determine the quality of the cut. They consider factors such as the size and shape of the diamond before cutting the stone for engagement rings.
For many people shopping at jewelry stores, the cut determines the sparkle. However, there are other material properties you can evaluate using the cut. For example, diamonds with regular facets, arranged in a circle or square, will be less susceptible to damage compared to other fancier styles.
Round Brilliant vs Cushion Cut
The round brilliant and the cushion cut are the two most common styles you’ll find in Knoxville diamond jewelry stores. The round brilliant has been around since the turn of the 20th century and has the most remarkable sparkle of all the other cuts.
The round brilliant has 58 facets distributed along its girdle, crown, and pavilion. The arrangement works to maximize the reflection of light and give the diamond its exceptional brilliance. Additionally, the facets are relatively small, which means they can also hide inclusions in the diamond.
The proportions of the facets are regular and placed according to standards set by Accredited Gem Appraisers (AGA). Thanks to the placement, the round brilliant is versatile and can be set on a wide range of diamond ring styles.
The setting may be chosen to protect the diamond ring or enhance its brilliance. Two of the most common settings for round brilliant wedding rings in jewelry stores are:
- Prong Settings: The prong’s tiny bars allow more light into the diamond than with other styles.
- Bezel Setting: The bezel mount does not allow as much light into the diamond, but the bars protect the girdle from damage.
A cushion cut diamond has a square shape with round corners. The cut got its name from the fact that it makes the stone look like a pillow (or cushion). Although it is not as bright as the round brilliant, it has more fire than most styles.
The cushion cut also has 58 facets, but they are bigger than the ones on a round brilliant. The bigger crystal phases may make inclusions more visible, but they give the diamond more fire. Fire refers to the playful spectrum that emerges when light bends as it moves out of the stone. The arrangement allows more illumination to get through, thereby creating an exquisite variance of hues. It also means that the cushion cut can hide color better.
The cushion cut has been around for the last two centuries. It has evolved into a style popular with people who prefer a vintage-style wedding ring. You can find cushion cut diamonds in jewelry stores with a range of settings:
- Halo Setting: The halo setting is common with cushion cut, which is commonly associated with vintage style diamond rings. Its main advantage is that it makes the stone look bigger.
- Solitaire Setting: Solitaire is a style preferred by jewelers because it is inexpensive and easy to set. Jewelry buyers like the solitaire as it makes the diamond the center of attention.
- Three Stone Setting: The style complements the cushion cut by enhancing its sparkle.
Contact Markman’s Diamonds Today
The cushion cut and the round brilliant are among the most popular styles for diamond rings. They both have unique characteristics and exude elegant personalities. The round brilliant is best if you are looking for clarity and brightness. On the other hand, the cushion has a fiery sparkle. When you want to find the perfect ring for your sweetheart, rely on the quality jewels and diamonds at Markman’s Diamonds today.