A guide to gemstone shapes

ROUND BRILLIANT

This is the most classic of all the cuts. Thanks to its abundance of fire and sparkle – more so than any other cut – it’s no wonder this is the most popular choice.

OVAL CUT

The oval exudes elegance and is a cut that is rapidly increasing in popularity. It has the fire and brilliance of a round brilliant cut, combined with a stylish elongated shape.

pear cut

Referred to as the pear cut or tear drop, this is a beautifully feminine shape with oodles of sparkle. A perfect choice for those who want something a little different.

PRINCESS CUT

The name says it all! The princess cut is a classic, elegant choice that’s similar in vibrancy to the round brilliant cut but with a more modern, linear look.

Cushion cut

The cushion cut is cut as both a square and rectangular shape, and with its characteristic softened corners it’s a unique and relatively rare choice.

ELONGATED CUSHION

The elongated cushion cut is the perfect marriage between the elegant oval and square cushion cut, making for a truly unique piece of bespoke jewellery.

heart shape

The heart shape is a truly symbolic cut. With an abundance of sparkle and a unique shape, its multiple facets allow for optimum brilliance.

triangle CUT

Perhaps the most unique of all the cuts, the triangle cut has three curved sides and many facets, making it an incredibly rare but beautiful choice.

MARQUISE CUT

The marquise cut is similar in brilliance to the oval cut and is not only visually striking, but also a stunning choice for elongating the finger.

ASSCHER CUT

The asscher cut is a beautifully simplistic cut with a classic elegance. It shares similar characteristics to the emerald cut, meaning colour and clarity are important factors if you decide to opt for a diamond.

EMeRALD CUT

The emerald cut has far fewer facets than many other gemstone cuts, which means colour and clarity is very important if you choose a diamond. It screams vintage glamour with an art deco edge, whatever the gemstone.

RADIANT CUT

The radiant cut can be both square and rectangular and has similar characteristics to the round brilliant cut, the emerald cut, and linear aspects of the princess cut too. It’s perfect for those looking for something magnificent and unique.

THE FOUR C’S

The four C’S refers to the COLOUR grade, CLARITY grade, CUT grade and CARAT weight.

These four characteristics distinguish one diamond from another, as well as their individual measurements. Many diamonds are also certified to give you complete peace of mind regarding these characteristics within their perfect diamond – however it is not essential. What’s more important is that the diamond you choose is perfect for you, and is one that you cherish and fall for at first sight.

The colour scale for diamond grading starts at D, with this being the rare white and colourless end of the spectrum, and ends at Z, where the diamond will naturally draw a yellow colour.

Diamond clarity refers to the absence of inclusions and blemishes within your chosen diamond which are a natural part of your diamond’s make-up. No diamond is completely inclusion and blemish free, but the closer it comes, the higher its value.

The cut of a diamond is what determines its brilliance and sparkle, with the correct cut allowing the diamond to transmit light to its full potential and sparkle intensely.

A diamond’s carat weight is simply how much it weighs. 1.00ct is divided into 100 points, and the higher the carat weight of an individual diamond, the higher the value will generally be – as long as the colour and clarity are also in correlation.

Everything about the ring that Chris designed for me is perfect! I love emeralds and yellow gold and I wanted a little additional sparkle too. Hannah helped him to create something so thoughtful for me, it also helps that she is my best friend so being her first official customer makes it even more special!
Deborah & Chris
My engagement ring is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen, and every day I look at it and think how lucky I am. Knowing that Will didn’t just go into a shop and pick it from a shelf makes it extra special. I love having something a bit different. Everywhere I go, people comment on how lovely it is. Thanks so much to Hannah for helping Will give me the most perfect ring. He has nothing but great things to say about the whole experience
Amy & Will
I proposed on the day we moved into our first home together. I told Sophie to get the last box from the car and there in the boot was Hannah’s beautifully packaged ring – she burst into tears and said yes!
Stephen & Sophie
After 27 years of marriage, my wife was devastated when she lost her engagement ring. Hannah did an incredible job of recreating it simply from my description and from photographs. Imagine my wife’s face when I gave it to her as a surprise on Christmas Day
Nick Hine, Publisher, Polo Times