Obviously, the emerald cut was originally developed for cutting emeralds, not diamonds.
This type of cut is not brilliant, and was called a step cut, which is the most appropriate way to cut emeralds — rather hard stones but very included, which makes them breakable. Later, this cut was successfully applied to diamonds.
Step cuts are comprised of larger facets which act like mirrors. The emerald cut has 58 facets: 25 crown, 8 girdle and 25 pavilion. It could either be a rectangle, in various ratios, or it can be even a square.
The culet is a point for square shapes and a line for rectangle shapes.
This truncated rectangle has two longer sides, two shorter sides, and four sides due to the corner truncation, for a total of eight sides.
Because of the angle, size and shape of the facets, the emerald cut shows less brilliance and fire (dispersion) than the other brilliant cut diamonds. However, this shape would make an emerald cut diamond engagement ring reveal a classic beauty and elegance not seen in other cuts you may choose. Besides, its pricing is extremely economical, compared to more common types.
When you want to buy an emerald cut diamond, the minimum requirements in quality would be the highest color and clarity you can afford, because of the open and large facets. The classic length-to-width ratio is 1.50:1 but the recent trend is towards the more square shape with a ratio close to 1.30:1. The advised proportions are: depth 58-69% and table 58-69%.
The minimum recommendations for cut, color and clarity grades are as follows:
- Cut: Good
- Color: G
- Clarity: VS2
When choosing the setting, keep in mind that emerald cut diamonds do require four-prongs.
Kimberly Diamond
Kimberly is one of the most famous emerald cut diamonds. It has 55.09 carats. Originally a 490 carat rough, this champagne colored stone named after the Kimberly Mine in South Africa, was cut to 70 carats in 1921, and to its current emerald shape in 1958.
The Kimberly was widely exhibited until it was sold to an undisclosed collector from Texas in 1971.
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