10 unique Diamond Cuts
The jewelry market is abuzz with discussions about branded diamonds, with an unprecedented surge in diamond brands. Among these, a few diamond cuts stand out. Each brand claims to offer the highest brilliance and scintillation for their specific cut. But is one truly superior to the others? And does the premium associated with a branded diamond justify the expense? Let’s delve into this to help you decide on the perfect fancy-cut diamond for your significant life event, whether or not it carries a branded name.
1.The Leonardo DaVinci Cut
Human perception naturally gravitates towards proportions constructed with the golden ratio, universally regarded as the epitome of perfect beauty. This concept finds its roots in “De Divina Proportione,” a treatise by Luca Pacioli with sixty illustrations by Leonardo da Vinci. Delving into various applications of the golden ratio formula – a mathematical concept underpinning the cosmic structure (a/b = 1.618) – Leonardo envisioned that every raw material could be transformed into something extraordinary, aligning with the alchemical notion of divine perfection and harmony.
Discover the Leonardo Davinci Cut.
The life and works of Leonardo da Vinci are intertwined with numerous legends that continue to captivate us to this day. Yet, not everything is purely legendary. The modernity of the studies and ideas of the Tuscan genius is still applied in everyday life. Equally astonishing is the concept that led to the creation of the Da Vinci cut. Bobak Nasrollahi Moghadam, while perusing the drawings crafted by Leonardo da Vinci for Luca Pacioli’s “De Divina Proportione,” was struck by the drawings of those perfect solids, constructed based on the golden ratio. This sparked the idea of applying the same mathematical formula to diamond cutting.
2.The Lucida® Cut
Introduced by Tiffany&Co in 1999 to celebrate the turn of the millennium, the Lucida® cut is a culmination of extensive refinement. Its name, meaning “the brightest star in a constellation,” was chosen to accentuate the unique sparkle of this particular shape. With 17 facets in the crown and 32 in the pavilion (33 with culet), totaling 49 facets (50 with culet), the Lucida® is a proprietary cut developed in-house by Tiffany, holding patent protection and a registered trademark.
Described by Tiffany&Co itself, the Lucida cut features a square mixed-cut shape with wide corners, striking a balance between the classic elegance of a step-cut crown and the brilliance of a pavilion cut. This combination emphasizes both line and brilliance, dispersion of light, and scintillation.
3. The Asprey Cut
Designed by the renowned diamond cutter Gabi Tolkowsky, the Asprey cut is a unique creation tailored to embrace the “A” of Asprey. Inspired by historical diamond cuts, Tolkowsky drew from the seventeenth to nineteenth-century cushion cut, incorporating the Asprey “A” inscription around the edges of the stone. This modern interpretation of the traditional cushion cut boasts 61 facets, maximizing light refraction.
4. The Royal Asscher® Cut
The Royal Asscher® Cut, an upgrade of the 58-facet Asscher Cut devised in 1902 by Joseph Asscher, is a testament to family legacy. In 1999, Edward and Joop Asscher, great-grandsons of Joseph, enhanced the original cut with modern technology, giving birth to the Royal Asscher Cut. With 16 additional facets, larger step facets, a higher crown, and a smaller table, it outshines the emerald cut in brilliance and surpasses the round cut in transparency. This branded cut is a rarity, with fewer than seventy-five skilled polishers worldwide capable of meeting Royal Asscher®’s exacting standards.
5. the Ashoka® Cut
William Goldberg, in 1973, founded the William Goldberg Diamond Corporation, marking the beginning of a remarkable career in handling unique and prestigious stones. In 1999, Goldberg introduced the Ashoka® Cut, named after the 41.37cts D Flawless Golconda diamond. This trademarked cut is essentially a modified cushion-cut with a rectangular shape and rounded corners, featuring 62 facets that create the illusion of a larger stone.
The Ashoka Cut Diamonds were famosily used in the setting of Jacob&Co’s Billionaire Watch. The Billionaire ASHOKA® from Jacob & Co. is a pièce unique, and only one will ever be made.
The entirety of the watch, outside of the movement, is covered in ASHOKA® diamonds, including the case, lugs, bezel, bracelet and clasp, with the exception of the rose-cut white diamond on the crown. The total carat weight of this unique piece is over 189 carats. Less than 1% of all rough diamonds even possess the potential to become an ASHOKA® – making the Billionaire ASHOKA® an extraordinarily special piece.
6. The Glacier Cut
John Calleija’s Glacier Cut is the result of a two-year endeavor to identify the best aspects of all available cushion cuts, introduced in 2005. This cut exudes enduring commitment and a labor of love, embodying core values of marriage. It adds a touch of femininity and grace compared to a standard cushion cut. Each Glacier diamond is individually laser inscribed, allowing for customizations on the girdle.
7. The Crisscut®
In 1998, Christopher Slowinski, owner of Christopher Designs, stumbled upon a fortuitous mistake that led to the creation of the Crisscut® design. This 77-facet diamond redefined brilliance and fire, earning it a patent. The name is derived from the crisscrossed facets that contribute to its superior brilliance.
Christopher Designs has marketed the Crisscut® design for various shapes, enhancing the appeal of each cut. Additionally, Slowinski introduced the l’Amour Crisscut® Diamond, a one-of-a-kind stone with extraordinary brilliance, reflecting light from every angle.
8. The Lily Cut®
For those in the fashion and jewelry business, having a diamond cut that matches their logo is the pinnacle of corporate distinction. The Lily Cut®, exclusively cut by Israeli company Lili Diamonds and reserved for Louis Vuitton jewelry, exemplifies this. With an average of 65 facets, the Lily Cut® resembles a flower with rounded or pointed petals/edges. This unique cut, while visually arresting, comes at a price: cutters sacrifice between 25 and 50 percent of the rough stone’s weight. Yet, for many, it’s the ultimate choice in branded cuts, earning it the label of an ‘It’ diamond.
9. The Jubilee Cut
The Jubilee Cut, a vintage and uncommon diamond cut, is typically reserved for larger diamonds. It enhances the brilliance and radiance of an already substantial diamond.
Distinguished by its distinctive shape, the Jubilee Cut is characterized by the absence of a flat table and features 8 facets at its pinnacle. In total, it boasts an impressive 88 facets.
This exquisite diamond cut was crafted in the early 20th century as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Queen Victoria’s reign in England. What sets this rare diamond cut apart is its absence of a culet, combined with its shallow profile. This unique combination makes the Jubilee Cut one of the most brilliantly shining and exceptionally rare diamond cuts available.
10. The Jacob Cut Diamond
Since its establishment in 1986, Jacob & Co. has been at the forefront of utilizing precious stones, pioneering various special cuts and setting techniques. Among their innovations, the brand introduced the extraordinary 288-facet Jacob-cut diamond for the Astronomia Tourbillon. This unique cut is a feat accomplished by only a select few gem cutters, beginning with a rough stone typically twice the size of the final diamond. The facets require meticulous precision to ensure the diamond achieves perfect symmetry and a round shape. In the Astronomia Tourbillon Five Minute, the one-carat Jacob-cut diamond performs a mesmerizing self-rotation every 15 seconds.