There are various cuts for emeralds, with the best cut being one that you like. The historical cut for emeralds is the namesake emerald cut, with the asscher and octagon cuts created with the same techniques. Other cuts like cushion and oval are not necessarily less popular, but more unknown as cuts for emeralds.
Emeralds with Various Cuts
Emerald Cut
E1151 | “Emerald ID: E1151”
Oval Cut
E1423 | “Emerald ID: E1423”
Asscher Cut
E167 | “Emerald ID: E167”
Round Cut
E1349 | “Emerald ID: E1349”
Cushion Cut
E1556 | “Emerald ID: E1556”
Heart Cut
E1514 | “Emerald ID: E1514”
The emerald cut was designed to be gentle on emeralds since they are relatively brittle, with asscher and octagon cuts using the same techniques. Once set in a ring however, your finger will break from being hit before the emerald does. Not to mention this cut was developed over 500 years ago, with better faceting techniques, knowledge, and equipment for cutting gemstones of all different shapes being available now.
A relatively new cutting development is cutting gems using a laser. The laser actually burns away parts of the gems, but it allows for the “cutter” to create cuts that are impossible to execute otherwise. This is usually done on more common gems that grow to large size.
A famous example of a fancy, also termed fantasy, cut is the Dom Pedro Aquamarine. I selected the aquamarine because its mineral species is beryl, same as emeralds. Unlike emeralds they grow to huge sizes like a person’s forearm, and usually form inclusion-free. This makes them popular for the fantasy cuts. The Dom Pedro is the largest cut, gem-quality aquamarine in the world, though it was not cut using a laser according to public knowledge. Whatever the exact techniques used were, the sculptor does not disclose his carefully developed secrets.
Best Cut for Emeralds
The emerald cut is the historic choice, demanded by practicality of the emerald breaking otherwise. With all of today’s tools and technology however, the best cut is your favorite cut. In order to get the really crazy cuts, you will need to contact a specialist.
FAQs
Emeralds are cut in many popular shapes, with the round cut emerald and octagon "emerald" cut shape being most popular. Round emeralds can also improve the refractive quality of the emerald, giving it more sparkle. However, more than other gemstones, color reigns supreme.
What is the best emerald to buy? ›
What To Look For. The most desirable emerald colors are bluish green to pure green, with vivid color saturation and tone that's not too dark. The most-prized emeralds are highly transparent. Their color is evenly distributed, with no eye-visible color zoning.
What is the perfect emerald cut ratio? ›
Most emerald cut diamonds have length to width ratios ranging from 1.30 to 1.50. A ratio of 1.40 is considered “ideal”. However, ratios are dependent on personal preference.
What is the difference between emerald and emerald cut? ›
By fashioning an emerald with its weakest points taken off (the corners), the shape becomes stronger and more durable. Plus, by cutting an emerald into a long and elegant shape, it helps to showcase the beautiful depth of colour.
Which shape is best for emeralds? ›
Emerald cuts
The 'emerald cut' shape is square or rectangular, featuring large, open step-cut facets. As emeralds don't have such an intense sparkle as diamonds, these large facets instead celebrate subtler gleam and vibrant colour. Green emeralds can also be cut into popular shapes like oval, round and pear shapes.
How can you tell a good emerald cut? ›
CLARITY. As with colour, the clarity grade of your emerald cut should be high. There's just nowhere for inclusions to hide in those open facets so don't consider anything lower than a VS2.
How to tell if an emerald is good quality? ›
Emeralds are graded on four factors: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Out of these, color is the most important. Best quality emeralds display excellent clarity, and are bluish green to pure green in color. They do not have any eye-visible color zoning.
What is a good price for an emerald? ›
An emerald's cut, clarity, and color will significantly impact its price tag. Cleaner, brighter, and greener emeralds will always be more expensive. That being said, the cost of an emerald can range anywhere from $200 to $900, depending on such factors.
Which emerald is better, Colombian or Zambian? ›
If you're looking for a bright, eye-catching stone, then a Colombian Emerald might be right for you. However, if you're looking for a more subtle gemstone that still has good quality, then a Zambian Emerald could be the better choice.
How many carats should an emerald be? ›
The smallest sizes range from 1 mm to 5 mm, with weights from 0.02 to 0.50 carat, while 1 to 5 carat stones are popular as center stones. Prestigious pieces of jewelry can include emeralds that weigh over 20 carats. Quality-for-quality, the price of emerald can rise dramatically as the size increases.
A 2 carat Emerald cut diamond measures 8.5 by 6.5 mm, while a 2.5 carat Emerald cut diamond is usually 9 mm by 7 mm, so its surface area is 1.15 a 2 carat Emerald cut diamond. Expect a 2.5 carat Emerald cut to cost 30% more than a 2 carat one.
How many prongs for emerald cut? ›
The 4 prong setting is the best type of setting for emerald cut engagement rings. This type of setting will securely hold the diamond or gemstone, and it will also allow the maximum amount of light to enter and reflect off the stone.
Which emerald is the best quality? ›
Colombian rough emeralds are known for the highest quality. These emeralds have a warmer and intense pure green color. Deep green emeralds are a rare occurrence in nature, hence are highly prized and sought after.
What is the disadvantage of emerald cut? ›
When compared to brilliant cuts, it has less brightness and is a more elegant shape. If the brilliance of your diamond is the most important factor to you, an emerald cut engagement ring is something you might want to pass over in favor of a round, princess, or radiant cut.
What is a brilliant emerald cut? ›
The emerald cut is rectangular (square emeralds are commonly referred to as Asscher cut diamonds) with cut corners and rows of step-facets that reflect off each other. This effect is sometimes referred to as a “hallway of mirrors”.
What is the best crop for emeralds? ›
Farmers are the best for trading since they offer up to 4 different crop trades for emeralds. Focus on farming carrots, potatoes, wheat and beetroots which are easy to mass produce.
What is the traditional cut of emeralds? ›
Emeralds are “step” cut stones, meaning they have rectangular and trapezoid shaped facets. Step cut stones (which also include asscher cuts) show inclusions more easily than “brilliant” cut diamonds (every other shape except emerald and asscher).
What is better emerald cut or radiant cut? ›
In short, radiant cut diamonds have cropped corners, which gives them a more modern, edgy look. Emerald cut diamonds tend to have smaller beveled corners, which gives them a more vintage, classic look. The choice between the two cuts comes down to personal preference and the style you're going for.
Why emerald cut is the best? ›
Emerald cut diamonds are a stunning and incredibly eye-catching diamond choice! They give off an art-deco, hall of mirrors energy that draws you in. Because of their open table, this cut needs higher clarity, color, and cut grades than brilliant cut diamonds in order to look their sparkling best.
