What types of cuts are used on Colombian Emeralds?

Types of Cuts Colombian Emeralds | Lee Wasson

Cut

Refers to the symmetry, proportioning and polish of an emerald and greatly influences the brilliance, color and visibility of inclusions. Colombian Emeralds possess variable optical properties (inclusions, color zoning) and are not cut to a uniform ideal. A well-cut Emerald is more expensive because excellent proportions result from a greater expenditure of the valuable rough material and result in a more beautiful stone. Top cutting may not be symmetrical but achieves even color, conceals inclusions maximizing brilliance and scintillation making the Emerald sparkle and dance in the light as well as displaying the greatest quantity of carat weight when viewed from the top.



Shape

Is the result of an Emerald being cut and largely depends on the form of the rough Emerald, the exact design can vary depending on a particular emerald’s natural characteristics, the cutter’s experience, personal preferences, market and fashion trends. No one shape is more beautiful than another. The magic of nature and the artistry of the cutter combine to make each a unique work of art.




Emerald Cut

This is a “step cut” and it has rows of facets that resemble a staircase and are usually four-sided and slightly elongated with truncated corners. The Emerald Cut has long been employed to enhance the richness of the Emeralds color with the added advantage of an elongated shape, which can create the illusion of greater size. The slender Emerald cut shape can also make the finger of the wearer appear longer and slimmer, an effect often desired.
The large table and deep pavilion prominent in an emerald-cut draw the light and the eye inward, deepening and intensifying the color to mesmerizing effect. To the Native American Navajo, the rectangle symbolizes the female form, intelligence and divine contemplation.


Baguette cut

This is a “step cut” and it has rows of facets that resemble a staircase and usually are four-sided and elongated often with truncated corners. Baguette shaped Emeralds are an Oblong Emerald cut. They have the added advantage of an elongated shape, which can create the illusion of greater size. The slender Baguette shape can also make the finger of the wearer appear longer and slimmer, an effect often desired.
Baguette from the Italian word “bacchetta”, meaning “rod or stick”.
To the Native American Navajo, the rectangle symbolizes the female form, intelligence and divine contemplation.



Asscher Cut

The Asscher cut was extremely popular in Art Deco jewelry designs. It reached its peak popularity in the 1920s, which is one of the reasons the Asscher-cut is now seen as antique or vintage. The cropped corners of the Asscher cut gives an Emerald a distinguished look.
This is a “step cut” and it has rows of facets that resemble a staircase and are four-sided with truncated corners. The Square shaped Emerald is really a Square Emerald cut flattering to a hand with long fingers.
Square is from the Vulgar Latin word “exquadra” meaning “square shape”.
Some believe this cut is a symbol for equality, fair mindedness, justice, order, satisfaction and truth.


Cushion cut / Antique Cushion cut

An antique (from the Latin “antquis”, meaning “classic”) style that has recently undergone a revival. It has a marvelously romantic and classic look that maximizes a gem’s luster. Cushion cut looks somewhat like a sofa cushion, its rounded corners and larger facets are reminiscent of past elegance. This shape is also sometimes referred to as the “Candlelight” cut in reference to cuts designed prior to electric lights, when gems sparkled in the light given off by candles.




Oval Cut

The Oval cut is a modified Brilliant cut (provides maximized light return through the top of the Emerald) and has an elliptical shape when viewed from the top. The oval is an ideal choice for one who enjoys the look of a classic Emerald cut but wants something more unique. Oval Emeralds have the added advantage of an elongated shape, which can create the illusion of greater size. The slender Oval shape can also make the finger of the wearer appear longer and slimmer, an effect often desired. Oval is from the Latin word “vum” meaning “egg”.


Pear Cut

Is a modified brilliant cut (provides maximized light return through the top of the Emerald) combining the best of the Oval and the Marquise shapes, it is formed like a sparkling teardrop.  It is particularly beautiful for pendants and earrings.  Set in rings, this cut compliments a hand with average length fingers. Although it varies depending on the optical properties of each Emerald, Pear shapes are generally cut with good depth for a great look and a lively gem.




Round Brilliant Cut

This shape resembles that of a cone and provides maximized light return through the top of the Emerald. You have seen this cut commonly used on diamonds. Round Brilliant Cut is rarely used on emeralds due to the high loss of valuable rough material. Round is from the Middle English word “rounden”, which means “secret”.


The Princess Cut

Is a cross between an Emerald cut that emphasizes color and luster and the Round Brilliant cut that emphasizes brilliance, scintillation and fire.The Princess cut is a “Square Modified Brilliant” cut with sharp, uncut corners and numerous sparkling facets.  Because of its design, extra faceting, and the effects this produces, Princess cuts are naturally more brilliant and sparkly and work best with lighter colored transparent Emeralds. It is a relatively new cut, flattering to a hand with long fingers.




Marquise Cut

The Marquise cut is a modified brilliant cut and is also known as the “Navette” (French for “little ship”) and looks like an oval that has been stretched out to a point at each end. The Marquise cut was inspired by the striking smile of the Marquise de Pompadour and commissioned by the Sun King, France’s King Louis XIV, who entrusted his court jewelers to create a cut to match her smile. It is gorgeous when used as a solitaire or when enhanced by smaller gems.


Heart Shape

Is a modification of the traditional round brilliant cut. The Heart Shape is a pear-shaped Emerald with a cleft at the top. The Heart is the ultimate symbol of love and the primary market for Hearts is in luxury jewelry. Understandably, increases in sales of Heart Shape cut Emeralds occur around Valentine’s Day.




Trillion Cut

Trillion cut Emeralds are based on a curve sided triangular shape, This cut concentrates color and creates a spectacular display of brilliant fire when used on lighter colored Emeralds.


Cabochon / Sugarloaf Cut

A Cabochon is a facetless polished gemstone with a flat or slightly rounded bottom and a rounded domed top or a squarish domed top as in the Sugarloaf cabochon. Cabochons are the oldest and most common form of gem cutting and are shaped and polished, rather than cut. Generally, the Cabochon / Sugarloaf cut is applied to Emeralds of limited transparency as a result of inclusions or for rare Emeralds where the cut’s curved surface accentuates chatoyancy known as the cat’s eye effect.
The word Cabochon is derived from the old Norman French word “caboche”, meaning head.




Briolette Cut

From the French words “Brilliant” (brilliant or sparkling) and “Brignolette” (a small dried plum). A Briolette is a avocado shaped gemstone covered with triangular and diamond shaped facets all the way around that comes to a pointed end. There is no table, crown or pavillion.


Fancy Cut

Recent advances in cutting technology have produced a breathtaking range of innovative new shapes such as shields, flowers, stars, triangles, kites and all manner of fancy cuts rarely used on high value Fine Colombian Emeralds.

Some of the new designs play with the natural rough and still others are fashioned into revolutionary new shapes that on occasion take advantage of Colombian Emeralds variable optical properties.




The choice of the appropriate Form to cut an emerald is instrumental in freeing the beauty from the constraints of the rough emerald, thus allowing it to flourish, releasing it`s fiery beauty in every direction.

Our 4 decades of experience screening and selecting the finest Colombian Emeralds for the most demanding foreign markets, assures you of an excellent investment. Our educated taste and discerning eye for the exceptional guarantees unparalleled beauty.

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by Specialist in Fine Colombian Emeralds

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