Pear cut diamonds are known for their stunning teardrop appearance that combines the qualities of round and marquis cuts. With exceptional brilliance, pear shaped diamonds contribute to a slimmer appearance of fingers and hands, and are prized for their soft and delicate look. Since pear shaped diamonds are cut for maximum brilliance, be sure to look for excellent symmetry in…
Happy Birthday, December! The December Birthstone is the Blue Topaz. The Blue Topaz gets its name from the Sanskrit word “tapas” meaning fire. In ancient times, Blue Topaz was thought to have cooling properties. Blue Topaz is the hardest of the silicate minerals. Pure topaz is colorless, but changes of element inclusions within the stone will lead to a range…
Mixing classic and modern elements, oval cut diamonds are popular in all types of jewelry, especially engagement rings. Oval cut diamonds have incredible brilliance, similar to the faceted appearance of round brilliant cut diamonds, but the oval shape is modern and prized for accentuating long, slender fingers. While a diamond’s SHAPE is not part of the Four Cs of Diamonds,…
Happy Birthday, November! The November Birthstone is the Citrine. Citrine gets its name from the old French word “citrin” which translates to “lemon.” Citrine is one of the most rare forms of quartz and can be found in colors ranging from pale yellow to a dark amber shade, commonly referred to as “Madeira,” as the color closely resembles the wine…
Often mistaken for emerald cut diamonds, asscher cut diamonds are similar, however, they are square in shape rather than rectangular. Created in the early 1920s, the asscher cut has seen a recent resurgence in popularity. This cut shows off the clarity and color of the stone, so keep these facts in mind when shopping for your diamond. While a diamond’s…
Happy Birthday, October! The October Birthstone is the Opal. The Opal gets its name from the Latin word “opalus,” meaning “precious jewel,” and is prized for its unique ability to refract and reflect light into the shimmering rainbow of colors it is known for. Ancient legend says that opals fell from the heavens in a flash of fiery lightning, but, in…
Happy Birthday, September! The September Birthstone is the Blue Sapphire. Named for the Greek word “sapphirus,” meaning the color blue, Sapphires have long been a favorite. Ancient civilizations said that the world was set upon an enormous sapphire, which painted the sky blue with its reflection. Sapphires are also prominent among the British Crown Jewels, and Prince Charles famously chose…
Emerald cut diamonds are special in their rectangular facets that are step-cut into the stone’s pavilion, giving emerald cut diamonds a unique optical appearance. This cut highlights the clarity of the diamond beautifully due to the large rectangular “table.” When it comes to the Four C’s of Diamonds, the Emerald Cut will highlight a stone’s clarity and color, so be…
A cushion cut diamond, sometimes also referred to as a pillow-cut diamond, has a timeless appeal in its rounded corners and larger facets. Available in square or rectangular shapes, cushion cut diamonds tend to highlight the impeccable brilliance and clarity of the stone. While a diamond’s SHAPE is not part of the Four Cs of Diamonds, it still will have a…
