What is a fancy-cut diamond?
Did you know that diamonds come in other shapes besides the round cut?
These diamonds with different shapes are called "fancy cut diamonds". Fancy cut diamonds refer to diamonds with shapes other than the traditional round cut.
Fancy-cut diamonds come in various shapes and styles, such as princess, oval, pear, and emerald cuts. .
How many types of fancy-cut diamonds are there in total?
Fancy-cut diamonds come in a variety of shapes, each with its own unique appearance and characteristics. Below are some common types of fancy-cut diamonds and their descriptions:
- Princess Cut
Princess-cut diamonds are the most popular and classic fancy cut, using a brilliant cut to maximize the reflection and refraction of light. With an aspect ratio of 1.0 to 1.05, they are typically square or rectangular in appearance and can have up to 57 facets. Their large diagonal dimensions create the illusion of being slightly larger than a round diamond.
- Oval Cut
An oval diamond is an elongated round cut with soft lines and an elegant shape. It retains the brilliance of a round brilliant cut while making the fingers appear longer through its elongated shape. The length-to-width ratio of an oval diamond is typically between 1.3 and 1.5, a proportion that makes the diamond appear larger and more prominent than a round diamond of the same carat weight.
- Marquise Cut
Marquise-cut diamonds, also known as "olive-shaped diamonds," have a unique shape with sharp ends and a slightly convex center. The length-to-width ratio of a marquise-cut diamond is typically between 1.75 and 2.25, a proportion that makes the diamond appear larger than its actual carat weight. Its unique shape beautifully accentuates the slenderness of the fingers and adds to the perceived length of the wearer's fingers.
- Heart Cut
The heart-shaped diamond is a highly romantic cut that requires precise symmetry and advanced technique to perfectly capture light. The aspect ratio of a heart-shaped diamond is typically between 0.9 and 1.1, ensuring a perfect heart shape. The top of the diamond needs to be precisely symmetrical, the curves on both sides must be even, and the tip should be perfectly sharp.
- Pear Cut
Pear-shaped diamonds combine the characteristics of round and marquise shapes, presenting a shape that is rounded at one end and pointed at the other. The length-to-width ratio of a pear-shaped diamond is usually between 1.4 and 1.7, and the pointed end of a pear-shaped diamond needs to be perfectly symmetrical to achieve the best visual effect.
What are the advantages of fancy-cut diamonds? How do they differ from traditional diamonds?
Do you know the difference between fancy-cut diamonds and traditional round diamonds? Let me tell you about some of the advantages of fancy-cut diamonds!
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The shapes are quite diverse
Round diamonds are the most common and popular, accounting for over 50% of the market. However, fancy-cut diamonds offer a wider variety of shapes to choose from, ensuring there's something for everyone, regardless of your preferred style.
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Unique flashing effect
Round diamonds use the brilliant cut, which best showcases a diamond's brilliance, and have 58 facets, making them sparkle from every angle. While fancy-cut diamonds aren't as sparkly from every angle, different shapes create different brilliance effects; for example, pear-shaped and oval diamonds capture more light at specific angles.
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Cutting technology
Traditional round-cut diamonds require the rough stone to be cut into a perfect circle. However, natural diamond roughs are usually not round, so to achieve this, more of the rough stone needs to be removed during the cutting process, resulting in significant waste. In contrast, fancy-cut diamonds are cut according to the natural shape of the rough diamond, making better use of the stone, retaining more of its weight, and reducing material waste during the cutting process.
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Low cost
Round-cut diamonds are relatively expensive due to the higher waste during cutting and the more technically demanding process. In contrast, fancy-cut diamonds make more efficient use of the rough stone, and are therefore relatively cheaper, typically 20% to 40% lower in price than comparable round-cut diamonds.
How to Choose the Perfect Fancy Cut Diamond? Five Things You Must Pay Attention To 
Do you want to find the perfect diamond for you? There are a few tips to help you find the one that best suits your needs when choosing a fancy-cut diamond. Let's take a look at five key points for selecting a fancy-cut diamond!
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Think about what kind of jewelry you want to make:
Before choosing a diamond, decide what style of jewelry you want to make. Different fancy cuts suit different setting designs. For example, emerald-cut diamonds are great for rings or necklaces, while marquise-cut diamonds look beautiful in earrings.
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Examine the diamond's quality closely:
GIA does not grade the proportions of fancy-cut diamonds, but their diamond grading report assesses the diamond's polish and symmetry. However, the 4Cs of quality still apply: carat, cut, clarity, and color. For the cut, choose diamonds that are symmetrical, well-proportioned, and brilliantly polished. For clarity, ideally, flaws should be invisible to the naked eye.
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Choose your favorite style:
Fancy-cut diamonds come in a variety of shapes and styles, from classic emerald cuts to modern princess cuts. When choosing, select one that best suits your personality and taste.
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Set a budget:
Within your budget, choose the highest quality fancy-cut diamonds possible. If your budget is limited, you can make some compromises on the 4Cs, such as adjusting carat weight, clarity, and color while ensuring a good cut, to find the option with the best value for money.
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Pair with a suitable inlay design:
A fancy-cut diamond needs a suitable setting to showcase its beauty. Considerations include whether the diamond's shape harmonizes with the overall setting and whether it matches your desired style.
What type of diamond cut would suit me best?
If you still don't know how to choose, here's a table to show you the secrets to matching various characters with diamonds!
Hopefully, this article on fancy-cut diamonds will be helpful. Remember, the most important thing when buying a diamond is to find one that best suits your style and budget, and that you'll love.
Common Questions about Fancy Cut Diamonds
Q: Are fancy-cut diamonds more expensive?
A: Not necessarily! Compared to round diamonds, fancy-cut diamonds make better use of the rough stone, resulting in lower costs. For the same quality, fancy-cut diamonds are typically 20% to 40% cheaper than round diamonds.
Q: Can fancy-cut diamonds be used in any jewelry?
A: Generally speaking, yes, but you still need to consider the combination of diamond shape and jewelry design. Some fancy cuts are more suitable for certain styles, so I suggest looking at different combinations to find the most suitable pairing.
Q: What should I pay attention to when buying fancy-cut diamonds?
A: In addition to checking the 4Cs, pay special attention to the cut quality, as it directly affects the diamond's brilliance and saturation. It's best to choose a GIA-certified diamond. If your budget is limited, you can compromise on color and clarity, but the cut quality must be excellent.
Q: How to care for fancy-cut diamonds?
A: The key to maintenance is regular cleaning. You can use a toothbrush with jewelry cleaner or warm soapy water to gently scrub, and then wipe it dry with a soft cloth.
