What’s the ideal type of gemstone cut for your latest project?
Looking to use Preciosa Fine Jewelry Stones in your next jewellery piece? Whether you have a specific gemstone in mind or you’re open to ideas, getting to know the basic gemstones cuts as well as the variety of faceted options available will help you expand on your current design ideas. From square cut to pear cut to alpha brilliant round cut, find the perfect gemstone in the ideal cut for your next jewellery making project.
Types of Gemstone Cuts
There are a large amount of different gemstone cuts, each with their own shape and facets. Each Preciosa stone has been expertly cut to ensure that whatever size and shape, the stone you get is brighter than any of it’s natural counterparts. Cutting precious stones is a complex process when a stone is transformed into a more specific shape – this helps to enhance the true colour and shine of the gemstone. Gem cutters require years of experience to perfect their trade and carefully consider the properties of the stone before settling on the right cut.
Which type of gemstone cut are you looking for?
Square Princess Cut
Consistently in high demand, this popular cut is square in shape and can also be known as the ‘Square Modified Brilliant’ gemstone – this is due to it being the square version of the round brilliant cut. Cut to a tolerance of +/-0.01mm and every facet individually polished, this is a dazzling choice for any jewellery maker. The Square Princess cut was created in 1979 by Ygal Perlman, Betzalel Amber and Israel Itzkowitz of Israel, making it one of the most recently derived gemstone cuts.
Preciosa Square Princess Cut Gemstones: Available in Cubic Zirconia
Pear Cut
An oval cut with one end tapering to a point, the pear cut or ‘teardrop cut’ is often described as a hybrid between the oval and marquise gemstone cuts. With multiple facets in the pear star cuts, the colour and light reflect beautifully, whether the gemstone is set to make earrings, a ring or a necklace.
Perfect symmetry is key when selecting these types of gemstone cuts. Originating from Belgium by a Flemish polisher, Louis van Berquem in 1458, the pear cut has fast become a popular choice for rings, pendants and earrings, offering an elongated slimmer look to the wearer from its long cut. In rings especially, the diamond is worn with the narrow end pointing towards the wearers hands.
Pear Stone Setting Tip To set a pear star shaped stone, set like you would a round stone with a regular bezel – but make sure to leave 3-4mm on both sides of the tip unworked. Push the bezel wall inward towards the tip – continue pushing and sawing until you have a smooth seam.
Preciosa Pear Cut Gemstones: Available in Cubic Zirconia
Marquise Cut
An oval cut with even ends connected to a point, this type of gemstone cut is made to reflect as much light as possible, giving off a dazzling sparkle and colour when it is worn. With the two end points matching up accurately to one another, these perfectly symmetrical types of stone cuts can also be known as ‘Navette Cuts’.
The Marquise cut diamond was initially commissioned by King Louis XIV of France to give to his lover, Marquise de Pompadour, as he believed the long lines and elongated silhouette represented her smile. As a symbol of love, not only are these perfect stone cuttings for engagement rings, but these types of gemstone cuts offer more weight per carat than any other jewellery cut, creating the illusion of a larger gemstone.
Preciosa Marquise Cut Gemstones: Available in Cubic Zirconia
Round Cut
A classic cut, the round cut gemstone is made up of 57 facets, first developed by Marcel Tolkowsky in the 1900s. Tolkowsky created some of the most notable round cut gemstones, such as the ‘Old Single Cut’, and is thought of by experts to have first coined the terms ‘brilliance’ and ‘sparkle’ when evaluating diamonds.
Preciosa stones are available in alpha round brilliant cut which a re-imagined round cut, which achieves the most ideal ratio of brilliance, scintillation and fire ever exemplified by round-cut cubic zirconia. round cut has fast become the most popular and researched of all the gemstone cuts, yet has undergone many transformations over the years to become the cut it is today.
Preciosa Round Cut Gemstones: Available in Cubic Zirconia, Nanogems
Preciosa Fine Jewelry Stones
At Cooksongold, we offer a wide range of Preciosa Fine Jewelry Stones available in a variety of gemstone cuts – perfect for tailoring to your own jewellery designs. Explore our range online today:
For more information on gemstone cuts or how to make the most out of your jewellery making projects, head to our equipment and technique focus hub for expert help and advice.
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