Loose Emerald Cut Diamonds

The emerald cut diamond shape is known for its elegance and sophistication, featuring broad, open planes and long, graceful lines; quite unlike the brilliance of a classic round diamond, the emerald cut reflects light in deep flashes. Originally developed for use on emeralds themselves, it has become quite popular on diamonds as well, whether as a solitaire on a ring or demonstrating its versatility in an elaborate setting of smaller stones. The emerald cut is rectangular with slightly trimmed corners, a shape that sets off long, slender fingers particularly well. The classic cut has a length-to-width ratio between 1.30 and 1.50, but this can vary according to personal taste. The emerald cut is known as a "step cut" because its concentric facets look like a set of stairs carved into the gem. Flaws are more apparent in an open cut of this kind, so care must be taken in choosing color and clarity, with the proper weight given to depth.