Today, we’re talking about all things fancy-cut diamonds. Fancy cut diamonds don’t need a lot of bling, don't have to be large, and also don't have to be fancy. So, you don't have to wear one to a fancy restaurant or a ball. And there may not be tons of stones everywhere or a halo. So, why should you consider one for your next diamond ring? We'll get into all of these in detail but first, a brief history.
What Do We Mean By A Fancy Cut Diamond?
When we say "fancy cut diamonds," we talk about the shape of any diamond beside a round brilliant cut. Some of the more popular round brilliant diamonds are always the most popular choice for rings, but fancy-cut diamonds are trending up.
Why Are Fancy Cut Diamonds “Fancy”?
Brides are breaking tradition. Conventional round diamond engagement rings are no longer a norm. Fancy shapes or cuts make it easy to express individuality and they aren’t just for engagement rings. They’re often used as accent stones or as side stones. Design versatility makes them great for multi-diamond jewelry use. Many main stones that have accent stones or side stones are actually fancy-cut diamonds.
A Brief History of Fancy Cut Diamonds
The term ‘fancy cut’ was coined in an attempt to promote shapes other than the typical round and diversify the diamond market.
Diamond shapes are cyclical just like with fashion. Various diamond shapes have been popular over the years. Emerald cut diamonds were popular in the 1950s through to the 70s. Brightly colored oval-shaped gemstones were popular in the ’80s. Princess and cushion cuts saw their rise throughout the 2000s. Today, we’re seeing even more oval and emerald cuts diamonds.
What Should You Consider When Buying A Fancy Cut?
Inclusions
There's a world of a difference between buying a fancy cut diamond and purchasing a round brilliant cut diamond. Clarity is extremely important. The inclusions on a table that are larger are much easier to spot, such as that of an emerald shape stone or an oval shape. It is important to make sure that the inclusions are not directly under the table or are hidden by the prongs
Shape
Another consideration is the actual shape of the fancy diamond. Is the marquise too thin or the pear too fat? Is the oval too round or the heart too wide? Choosing a fancy cut is more a matter of taste than a matter of precision, unlike round brilliant cuts with precise measurements. The GIA does have fancy cut diamond grading standards for the best proportions. While these guidelines are useful, it is still best to choose according to what you like and want.
Cost
Round, brilliant stones require the highest amount of labor. To achieve the perfectly proportioned round, brilliant shape, the original rough stone must be removed. A fancy cut, on the other hand, keeps more of the rough stone in the shaping process. In fact, fancy-shaped diamonds cost nearly half less than round, brilliant cuts of the same weight. Fancy cuts are less expensive because of the type of stones used. Inclusions are easier to hide or remove during the polishing process, which is why cheaper, rough stones are often used in fancy cuts. Fancy cuts can also appear larger than their round, brilliant diamond counterparts.
Dream Diamonds prides itself on being responsible for the reduced carbon footprint of our lab-grown diamonds and for our alternatives to diamond mining. Our clients range from national icons to Hollywood A-listers to jewellery lovers – all of whom appreciate the beauty of design, the fire of diamonds, and the importance of humanity and saving the environment.
We’ve covered many celebrity engagements lately, all of which featured fancy-cut diamonds.
Jennifer Lopez and her gorgeous emerald cut diamond
Wilmer Valderrama giving his fiancé a beautiful pear cut
Katherine Schwarzenegger’s cushion cut from Chris Pratt