Weighing Up the Pros and Cons of Emerald Cut Engagement Rings (2024)

The cut of a diamond is one of the most important considerations when choosing one for an engagement ring or any other item of diamond jewelry.

Emerald cut diamonds are a common choice for a ring's center stone or embellishments. Before deciding whether it's right for you, let's look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of emerald cut diamond engagement rings.

What is the difference between an Emerald Cut Diamond and a Round Cut Diamond?

An emerald cut diamond is distinguished by its elongated shape and chopped corners. Because it's a step-cut diamond, its linear facets are perpendicular across the diamond's surface.

When you look at the diamond under a light, you'll find that it reflects both white and colored light off its table.

It's considered retro in many fashion circles, although it also works in contemporary situations. But they are not quite as popular or common as other engagement ring choices.

Emerald cuts make up about 3% of all diamonds sold, and that figure is about the same for emerald cut engagement rings. Although the cut was first popular in the 1500s, it was not until the 1920s that it became fashionable for engagement rings.

Weighing Up the Pros and Cons of Emerald Cut Engagement Rings (1)

EMERALD CUT diamonds

The Advantages of Emerald Cut Engagement Rings

There are numerous advantages to emerald cut engagement rings that you should consider when looking for the perfect diamond.

The following are some of the benefits of emerald cut diamond engagement rings, as well as emerald cut diamonds in general:

Emerald Cut Engagement Rings Look Larger

An emerald cut seems larger than other cutting of the same carat weight due to its vast surface area. A diamond's size is measured in carats, and two diamonds of the same carat weight are the same size.

This, however, isn't always visible to the naked eye, and to most brides, that's what really counts. When one-carat diamonds of various shapes, such as Asscher, radiant, emerald, and round, are lined together, they may appear to be different sizes.

Many one-carat round cuts, for example, are 6.5 millimeters in diameter. Emerald cuts can be as large as seven millimeters by five millimeters.

This is especially true for shallow-depth cuts. The surface area extends and seems larger if the weight is not buried beneath the table. In this way, emerald cuts are similar to oval and pear-shaped diamonds.

You should consider emerald cut engagement rings if you're most concerned with the size of your diamond but don't want to pay a premium for a bigger carat weight.

A Wide Range of Shapes

Another advantage of emerald cutting is the range of shapes it makes available. Some cuts, such as circular, are only available in one shape.

Engagement rings with an emerald cut, on the other hand, can expand and shrink to form rectangles or squares and some of them can be unique in appearance, something that a round cut really can't be as easily.

Slims the Finger

Depending on the cut of the diamond, your finger can appear narrow or wide. Emerald cuts are popular with people who have long, thin fingers because they emphasize that trait. It elongates their appearance in a manner that princess cuts do not.

However, some buyers deliberately avoid emerald cut engagement rings since they do not consider this trait to be complementary to them.

Snag-Free Cropped Corners

Diamonds with sharp corners snag more easily on fabric, furniture, and other common items, including in your hair, which is one of their drawbacks. As a result, they are susceptible to chipping or breaking free from their mounting. Emerald cuts with reduced corners are less prone to these problems.

The corners have a smooth, diagonal edge rather than being cut at a sharp right angle. In comparison to baguette and princess cuts, these four corners can endure more impacts and bumps.

If you're worried about your diamond engagement ring's longevity or if it'll catch on your clothes, an emerald cut will help you avoid these problems.

Emerald Cuts Make Great Accents

An emerald cut can be used alone or in combination with other cuts in a solitaire setting. There are many settings with embellishments that go well with an emerald cut. This includes options for paving and channel.

Emerald cuts aren't just for the center stone in an engagement ring. They're also a popular choice for accents adjacent to or down the shank that match the focal stone.

You might pair emerald cuts with a round, marquise, oval, radiant, or princess cut if you desire emerald cuts on your jewelry but prefer a different cut in the center. This design enables you to wear a ring with multiple cuts.

Emerald Cut Engagement Rings Have a Few Drawbacks

Emerald cuts have some drawbacks that you should be aware of. There are reasons why some cuts are more popular than others.

Here are some disadvantages of emerald cut diamonds and emerald cut engagement rings to think about.

Less Brilliance

When compared to brilliant cuts like round, princess, and cushion, emerald cuts have less brilliance. The latter are made to maximize the amount of light that enters the diamond and returns to the spectator. Facets are the surfaces that capture and reflect light, and they usually have a lot of them.

An emerald cut's step-cut design isn't primarily concerned with light performance. Baguette, carré, and Asscher are other step-cut diamonds in the same category as emerald cuts. The facets are round or square and rise like steps from the diamond's table.

This is characterized as a "hall of mirrors" effect in an 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.

Weighing Up the Pros and Cons of Emerald Cut Engagement Rings (2)

diamonds EMERALD CUT ring

Are You a Good Fit Emerald Cut Engagement Rings?

Every diamond cut has advantages and disadvantages in terms of popularity, clarity, color, and overall design. The emerald cut is no exception. To make the best purchasing decision, you should be aware of all the benefits and drawbacks of emerald cuts. But this decision really is, as it should be, all about you.

If you have the following things in mind as important to you, emerald cut engagement rings may be suitable for you:

You want a diamond that is rectangular or square in shape and is also sturdy.
You're looking for a different type of cut than standard round cuts.
A step-stretched cut's appearance appeals to you.
You want a diamond with a cheaper per-carat price.

Examine a variety of emerald cuts in varying color and clarity grades to determine which one best suits your taste and is within your budget. You can choose between a lower carat weight and better characteristics in other areas or a higher carat weight and better qualities in other areas.

Weighing Up the Pros and Cons of Emerald Cut Engagement Rings (2024)

FAQs

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.

Is a 2 carat emerald cut diamond too big? ›

Many celebrities have also fallen for the classy timeless cut stone. While most of theirs are a giant and glamorous 10 or 15 or more carats, if you're looking in the 2 carat range, that is still an above average winner. You'll turn heads with your modest art deco reminiscent cut.

What should I prioritize in an emerald cut diamond? ›

“You should prioritize clarity for your Emerald diamond. Their larger facets won't hide inclusions as easily as smaller facets do. VS1 is a good safety zone for most Emerald diamonds.

How do you keep emerald cut diamonds clean? ›

Proper care and maintenance are crucial to keep your emerald cut diamond jewelry looking its best. Here are some care tips: Regular Cleaning: Clean your emerald cut diamond jewelry with a soft brush, warm water, and mild detergent.

What are the negative effects of emerald ring? ›

Excessive exposure to emeralds may lead to overstimulation and hyperactivity in some individuals. Additionally, there is a caution against relying too heavily on gemstones for emotional well-being, as it may disrupt one's natural emotional equilibrium.

What does an emerald cut diamond say about you? ›

The Emerald Cut diamond is an elongated favorite among individuals who appreciate clean lines, sophistication, and understated elegance. They often have a refined and discerning taste, valuing quality over quantity.

Why do emerald cut diamonds not sparkle? ›

On an emerald cut diamond, instead of having tiny sparkles of light emanating from the facets, light flashes 'on' and 'off' due to the nature of the step cut. These flashes of white light complement the dark planes in each step.

Which cut makes a diamond look bigger? ›

The marquise diamond shape has the largest appearance of any shape. It has a similar elongated look as the oval and pear shapes, but both ends form tapered points. The marquise shape will always look the largest because those tapered points create the largest surface area of all the shapes.

What is a good size carat for an engagement ring? ›

The average size for the US couple is one carat, while most European couples stay around 0.5-0.6 carat.

Why do celebrities like emerald cut diamonds? ›

It's a popular cut for celebrity rings and for people who want their ring to showcase their refined taste, as the cut exudes status and elegance. The long, step cut look gorgeous on the finger and don't have the dramatic sparkle that other cuts do. This is why many celebrities are drawn to the elegant cut.

What is the ideal emerald cut size? ›

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. A lower ratio should be chosen for a more square shape, while for an elongated, more rectangular shape, a higher ratio is best.

Is VS2 ok for emerald cut? ›

A Very Good cut grade is the best cut grade possible for an emerald cut diamond, giving you a beautiful center stone for your engagement ring. A VS2 clarity grade is a great choice for an emerald cut diamond since emerald cut diamonds reveal flaws more easily than other diamond shapes.

How important is depth in emerald cut diamond? ›

Compared with brilliant cut diamonds, the emerald cut looks better with a large table – it opens up the stone and helps to create the famous “hall of mirrors” effect. Because of this, look for a diamond with a table percentage of 60-65%. The depth percentage should be similar – we recommend 58-65%.

Should you be able to see through an emerald cut diamond? ›

The large, open facets of an emerald cut diamond allow viewers to see right into the stone, the prismatic diamond producing an enchanting 'hall of mirrors' style optical display.

Is emerald cut worth it? ›

As emerald-cut diamonds are rare in comparison to other shapes, they're a perfect choice if you want something a little different. The elongated shape appeals to those who want an elegant and slenderizing ring. The side-cut design makes emerald cuts durable and less likely to catch on clothes.

What is special about emerald cut? ›

Its step cuts and large table retain more color than most other common diamond shapes, allowing the eye to see much more of the natural color of the gemstone. When you assess an emerald cut diamond of a J color grade or higher, you will easily be able to notice a slightly yellow tint.

Who wears an emerald cut ring? ›

Beyoncé, Paris Hilton, Grace Kelly, Amal Clooney, and Anne Hathaway are only some celebrities who adore their emerald cut engagement rings. Beyoncé's stunning ring is said to be a 24-carat, flawless diamond worth millions of dollars. Paris Hilton's ring features a 20-carat emerald cut diamond.

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