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Brilliant cuts like the Round, the Oval, and the Pear, are coveted for their exceptional ability to sparkle. For colorless diamonds, brilliance is essential. But in the world of Fancy color diamonds, appreciating the natural hues of the stone is also a valued aspect.
The large tables and lengthy facets of Step-Cuts offer a clear view of the interior of the diamond. Their subtle sparkle is often described as elegant, and their timeless silhouettes are ideal for contemporary designs or Art Deco-inspired pieces.
On this blog, you’ll discover more about:
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What Are Step-Cut Diamonds?
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The Different Step-Cut Shapes
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Unique Attributes of Step Cut Diamonds
What Are Step-Cut Diamonds?
Historical Diamond Cuts, Predating Modern Shapes.
Step-Cuts became popular in the 1920s during the Art Deco period when clean, streamlined shapes and symmetrical patterns were part of the era’s beauty canon. But their origin can be traced hundreds of years ago to the XV century when the ‘Table Cut’ was first developed, followed by the ‘Old Single Cut’—both considered predecessors of Step Cuts.
Just like the term ‘Brilliant’ describes multiple shapes, ‘Step-Cuts’ refers to a family of cuts that share the same base features. Step-cut diamonds are usually square or rectangular, with facets parallel to the table.
Their name makes reference to the similarity these shapes bear with a staircase.
Getting to Know Step Cuts
The Emerald Cut
Exceptional 2.25 ct Emerald Cut Champagne Diamond.
Perhaps the most popular among all Step Cuts, the Emerald cut was named after the stone. Cutters recognized it as an ideal shape to cut and polish emeralds. Emeralds are considered somewhat fragile and brittle, scoring 7.5-8 on the Mohs hardness scale. The octagonal shape ensures maximum yield and makes the gem more resistant to everyday wear and possible impacts.
In fancy color diamonds, the Emerald Cut also reduces rough carat weight loss and emphasizes the natural tones.
Natural Amber Color Square Emerald Cut Diamond.
This shape can have squared or rectangular proportions. Emerald cut diamonds can be set vertically or horizontally. The latter style is known as an East-West setting.
Fancy Burgundy Emerald Cut Diamond in East-West Setting Ring.
The Asscher Cut
Developed in 1902 by Joseph Asscher, the cut is similar to the Emerald shape. Its design has been improved over the years resulting in different versions such as the Royal Asscher, which bears 16 more facets than the Original Asscher.
Asscher cut diamonds follow an almost perfect squared ratio of 1:1-1.05 and feature wider cut corners than those in Emerald cuts.
Natural Yellow Asscher Cut Diamond Stud Earring from Langerman’s Bespoke Archives
Another unique feature that sets them apart from square Emerald cut diamonds, is their windmill effect. The facets coming from the corners lead to the cutlet, forming an X.
The Baguette Cut
Bespoke Brooch With Baguette Diamonds Tapered Swirl Detail.
Baguette cut diamonds have a rectangular shape with sharp corners. During the Art Deco era, they were used to create channel-set frames around a larger diamond.
Fancy Blue Tapered Baguette VVS2 Diamond.
The Tapered Baguette is a variation of the original shape where the longer sides taper inwards, forming a trapezoid. Typically found in smaller sizes, Tapered Baguette diamonds are popular as side stones as they visually guide focus to the center stone.
Creative Step-Cut Diamonds
At Langerman, we have a fascinating selection of unique, natural color Step Cut diamonds. Here are some of our favorites:
Honeycomb Diamond
This gorgeous stone weighs 3.50 ct and is a hexagonal, Step-Cut Honey color VVS1 diamond.
Pink Shield Diamond
This bold shape is recognized by GIA as a ‘Modified Shield Step Cut’ which incorporates some Brilliant features. The 1.01 ct Fancy Pink diamond was sourced from the renowned Argyle mines in Australia.
Raspberry Diamond
Another exceptional stone from Argyle, Australia. This 0.35 ct Raspberry Pink diamond was classified as a ‘Trapezoid Step Cut.’
Blue Kite Diamond
The bold shape of this icy Blue diamond is known as a ‘Kite Step Cut.’
What You Should Know About Step Cuts
1. They are known for their subtle sparkle
Step cut diamonds have fewer, larger facets than Brilliant Cuts, which is why they present less fire and scintillation. This is a natural characteristic of all Step Cuts. Although their spark is less dramatic, they are not dull by any means.
2. They Come In Unique Shapes
There’s more to Step Cut diamonds than Emerald and Asscher shapes. There’s a lot of variety within this family of shapes and their larger tables will definitely attract attention.
3. Clarity becomes more evident
The bigger facets of Step Cuts make inclusions easier to spot. People often invest in higher clarity grades when purchasing a Step cut diamond. However, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The presence of impurities—or lack thereof—should be a matter of personal preference. After all, inclusions are a diamond’s fingerprint, a unique set of identifying characteristics.
4. Some Step cuts make fantastic sidestones
The slim, long shape of the Baguette cut makes them the perfect companion for a center stone. Tapered Baguettes are a popular option for accent diamonds.
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Inspired to add Color Step Cut diamonds to your collection? Contact us, and we’ll help you find the ideal stones for your design.
Step into the mesmerizing world of natural Pink diamonds, synonymous of elegance and sophistication. These exquisite gems have stolen the spotlight in the realm of fine jewelry, captivating the hearts of fashion enthusiasts around the globe.
In this article, we’ll explore the enchanting features of Fancy Pink diamonds, uncovering their origins, possible tones, and the growing fascination around them. As we delve into their unique characteristics, you’ll learn how they compare to other popular pink gemstones, revealing the distinct advantages that set them apart.
The Origin Of Their Mesmerising Hues
Fancy Pink diamonds are the result of a remarkable geological process that lasted millions of years. During their formation process, atomic traces of minerals such as hydrogen, nitrogen, or boron were introduced into their crystalline structure, resulting in impressive hues.
However, another scientific theory states that the pink hue comes from a deformation in the crystal lattice of the stone, a phenomenon caused by extreme pressure.
Whichever the cause, thanks to our Earth’s natural transformations, today we get to enjoy the exceptional shades of Pink diamonds.
From delicate pastel tones reminiscent of blooming cherry blossoms to intense, vivid shades that command attention, natural Pink diamonds offer a diverse palette of hues that ignite the imagination.
Rarity And A Growing Fascination
The allure of these unique stones lies not only in their enchanting beauty but also in their rarity.
As luxury enthusiasts and jewelry connoisseurs seek to come in possession of the most exclusive and coveted pieces, the interest surrounding fancy pink diamonds continues to grow. With the recent closure of the renowned Argyle mine in Australia, a significant source of Pink diamonds, their scarcity has skyrocketed.
Pink Diamond’s Unparalleled Properties
Brilliance
The refractive index of a diamond is approximately 2.42. This high refractive index is one of the factors that contribute to the exceptional brilliance and sparkle that diamonds are renowned for. The high refractive index allows diamonds to bend and reflect light in a way that creates maximum dispersion and brilliance, resulting in their captivating play of light and fire. It is this unique optical property that sets diamonds apart from other gemstones and contributes to their timeless allure and desirability.
Hardness
Diamonds are renowned for their exceptional hardness, ranking 10 on the Mohs scale, which is the highest possible rating. This remarkable property makes diamonds highly resistant to scratching and abrasion, ensuring their longevity and durability even with daily wear.
The hardness of a diamond contributes significantly to its value. Diamonds are prized for their ability to withstand the rigors of everyday use without losing their beauty or succumbing to damage. This durability ensures that diamond jewelry, such as engagement rings and heavily worn pieces, can be cherished forever and passed down through generations.
What About Other Pink Gemstones?
Tourmaline
This pink gemstone is often used in jewelry for its vibrant color. Pink tourmaline can be found in various parts of the world, including Brazil, Afghanistan, Mozambique, and the United States. Each location may produce unique variations in color and quality, making it more complicated for the regular customer to understand how to measure and compare characteristics.
Tourmaline ranks 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs' scale of hardness, making it moderately durable, but relatively softer compared to Pink diamonds. With a refractive index between 1.624 and 1.644, pink tourmaline exhibits a good amount of brilliance and light dispersion.
Pink quartz
This mineral showcases a soft, delicate pink hue that does not typically offer much sparkle. There are multiple levels of transparency available, from very translucent to milky opaque or smoky with yellow or brown undertones.
Scoring a 7 on the Mohs scale, pink quartz is relatively durable and suitable for some types of jewelry. However, it is still important to protect it from impact, and best suitable for earrings and low-wear pieces.
Pink Sapphire
The intensity of its color depends on the place of origin and the combination of trace elements present within its crystal structure.
With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, pink sapphires are very durable and resistant, making them suitable for all kinds of jewelry pieces. However, they are more prone to scratches than diamonds.
Kunzite
Kunzite is quite affordable because it’s relatively unknown although it can be found in many places like Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar, and the USA.
Like most color stones, kunzite can be undergo irradiation or heat treatments to enhance its color. Exposure to heat and bright light can cause color in both natural and treated kunzite to fade over time.
Morganite
Most morganite deposits are found in Brazil, but the highest quality specimens come from Madagascar. Typically, morganite enjoys a high transparency with minimal inclusions resulting in clear, polished stones.
Scoring a 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, Morganite is safe and durable enough for jewelry.
Your Best Choice: Pink Diamonds
There are multiple options to choose from to create a jewel with pink gemstones. However, they all fall short when compared to the durability and brilliance of natural Pink diamonds. With sources becoming more scarce while demand continues grows, Pink diamonds keep appreciating in value making them a better financial choice when compared to other gemstones which tend to loose value in the resale marker. Pink diamonds present multiple advantages for their investment potential and as a valuable asset to be passed on for generations.
When purchasing color gemstones, it’s important the buyer requests a professional laboratory report that discloses any enhancements to make an informed decision. Unfortunately for most consumers, it’s hard to find full-detailed information on a finished jewelry piece and it requires additional effort and inquiries to confirm the quality of a gemstone.
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Langerman Diamonds has over 50 years of expertise in sourcing and trading natural color diamonds. Explore our online inventory and contact us to learn more about the purchasing process.