Emerald Fancy Cut Diamond
An Emerald Cut diamond is usually rectangular but older, square cuts are
still around. It is a step-cut diamond; that is, it has rows of facets usually
48 to 50 - that resemble a staircase and usually are four-sided or elongated.
The typical size of a I-carat rectangular Emerald Cut would be 7 by 5 mm.
The look of an Emerald Cut diamond is subtle and understated with less
"flash," or reflection and refraction, than brilliant cuts. The flat
planes of the outside edges allow for a variety of side stone shapes. Typical
pairings would be two or three side baguettes, two halfmoons and other, smaller
emeralds, but not trillions, as their sparkle makes the center Emerald Cut look
flat.
The most properly cut emerald shape diamonds come from Israel, dealers say,
although many are also cut in New York and Antwerp. Russian makes tend to be too
heavy.
MARKETS AND MARKETING
The Emerald Cut has a long, classic tradition in the jewelry industry. It is
most often used as a center solitaire for engagement rings, but its popularity
can sometimes be a bit limited to a sophisticated, mature clientele. It sells
well if properly cut.
Rectangular Emerald Cuts are much more popular than square-cut; the latter,
which are not even currently being cut, are now considered old fashioned.
Ninety-nine percent of the market is in rectangles. The classic
"tennis court" proportioned Emerald Cut diamond leads the market, some
dealers say, although some customers clearly prefer longer, more elegant
proportions. Platinum settings are particularly marketable at the moment because
of the cool elegance of the cut. A I-carat, nice-make
Emerald Cut can start at $3,000 a carat, with those that are not eye clean,
or with some color coming in lower. The bulk of the, market now appears
to be in sizes of1 2 plus carats. The emerald cut in smaller sizes can be the
least expensive to cut because its shape is most like the natural shape of the
rough. High-quality, larger-size emerald rough is not in especially short supply
at the moment. It can, however, be difficult to find well-matched side-stone
emerald cuts because the clean lines of the cut are so, unforgiving.
WHAT BUYERS SHOULD LOOK FOR
The overall quality and cut of an emerald-shaped diamond must be
fairly high because the lack of faceting and clean lines reveals
inclusions and imperfections. For rectangular emeralds, look for a good
length-to-width ratio. The stone should not be too skinny. To avoid the
"bow-tie" effect found in all nonround diamonds - two triangular
shadows in the middle of the (1 stone where light leaks out the bottom -
the stone's length should be no less. than 1.5 times the width, and no more;
than 1.75 times the width. The stone's table should not be too big. The stone
should not be too deep from the girdle to the culet and its girdle
shouldn't be too thick or too shallow.