Cutting is the only one of the 4Cs that involves human skill..
Diamonds are said to have "eternal brilliance," and are minerals that have a high refractive index and emit a fine sparkle. However, they do not shine when they are in the rough state. How much brilliance can be extracted by carving diamonds, the hardest mineral on earth? This is the culmination of human technology.
In addition to the perfectly circular round brilliant cut, there are many other types of diamond cuts. This time, we will introduce diamond cuts, so please use this as a reference when choosing a diamond.
1. CutWhat is it?
①Cut evaluation criteria (Only round brilliant cuts are evaluated!)
Cut is evaluated based on three main criteria: overall balance (proportion), symmetry (symmetry), and polish (polish).
Proportion is assessed by computer using numerical measurements, while symmetry and polish are assessed by eye.
If the appraisal is issued by a major appraisal agency, the report will include a diagram showing the numerical measurement results of the proportions. The polish and symmetry will also be given an evaluation, and the cut grade will be determined based on this overall evaluation.
The cut grade is rated on a five-point scale.The brightness is almost perfect. Excellent → Very Good → Good Good → Fair → Poor Symmetry and polish are also evaluated in the same way. If both are Very Good or better, the cut grade is Excellent. If cut, symmetry and polish are all Excellent, the diamond is given a 3EX (triple excellent) grade, which is the highest class of cut standard.
②What is Heart and Cupid (H&C)?
Some dealers explain that "H&C is the best cut," but this is a misunderstanding. H&C can be seen even if the cut standard is not Excellent, as long as it has a certain range of proportions and a certain level of symmetry.The highest cut standard is 3EXAs a result, H&C is positioned as added value.
However, "an arrow shoots a heart." It's romantic, isn't it? H&C and H&A cannot be inspected unless you request it during the appraisal. Also, since they cannot be seen once the diamond is set in a setting, if you would like a photo of the H&C, be sure to ask when purchasing the loose stone.
We mainly deal with GIA diamonds, but we also handle H&C diamonds from the Central Gem Laboratory. Please refer to here for stock information.
▼H&C diamonds in stock at Hojudo
▼Diamonds in stock at Hojudo
We can also search for diamonds that are not listed on the Houjudo website free of charge, so please feel free to ask if you have any requests.
③Types of diamond cuts
Round brilliant cut
This is the cut you imagine.Perfect circleRound brilliant cut. It has 57 or 58 facets in total and is a cut that has been carefully calculated to maximize its brilliance. The 4C cut standard is only this round brilliant cut.
Oval Cut
RoundedOvalThe oval cut is characterized by its unique shape. If the diamonds are set vertically, they will look elegant and refined. If they are set horizontally, they will have a casual feel. Since it is an oval, the ratio of the length to the width varies. Be careful, as the appearance will change greatly depending on the length ratio.
Pear Shape
PearIt is called a pear shape because it has a shape similar to a tear drop. On the other hand, it is also called a tear drop cut because it resembles a tear drop. It is a popular cut among women because it has a pointed tip and a rounded shape on one side, making the finger look long and slender and feminine. When it comes to rings, the pointed end is usually worn downwards, but recently many people enjoy wearing them upwards.
Marquise Shape
Long, pointed shapeA marquise shape.Due to its shape, it is often used in jewelry with a petal motif. Marquise means "Marquise", and it is said that Louis XV once gave the title of Marquise to Madame de Pompadour, and the name was inspired by her smile. The pointed, slender shape makes the fingers look neat and sharp, so it is recommended for people with long fingers.
Heart Shape
As the name suggests,Heart ShapeThe heart shape gives a feminine impression and is a popular cut among young women.
Cushion Shape
Rectangular shape with rounded cornersCushion shape. It is also called pillow cut because it is shaped like a pillow. In fact, it was the mainstream cut from the 16th century until the beginning of the 20th century. It gives a soft and feminine impression. There are cushion shapes that are close to square, and others that are rectangular. The atmosphere changes, so please choose according to your preference.
Emerald Cut
All the cuts up to now have been brilliant cuts, which emphasize brilliance and give a glittering impression, but the emerald cut is a step cut that gives a different impression. Emeralds are prone to chipping,Slightly trim the corners of the rectangleThis resulted in a unique cut. The emerald cut is a diamond that uses this technique. It gives off a classical, calm and elegant impression. It is generally set vertically, but some people also enjoy it casually by placing it horizontally.
Princess Cut
It is one of the mixed cuts that combines the brilliant cut that emphasizes brilliance and the step cut with a unique atmosphere.The corners of the rectangle are sharpened without being cut.It was named princess cut because it is perfect for a woman with a princess-like elegance. The square corners are not rounded off, giving it a sharp impression, and it is a diamond that you can enjoy its unique sparkle, making it popular as an engagement ring.
Many customers choose round brilliant cut diamonds, but if you already have a round cut diamond or you want a design that is different from everyone else's, we recommend choosing a fancy cut diamond.
Please refer to here for information on fancy cut diamond stock.
▼Fancy cut diamonds
▼Diamonds in stock at Hojudo
We can also search for diamonds that are not listed on our website free of charge, so please feel free to let us know if you have any requests.
2. Which cut?Which one should I choose?
The defining feature of diamonds is their brillianceWhen choosing a round brilliant cut, you want to choose 3EX whenever possible, but of course the price increases with 3EX. You may also choose to lower the cut to prioritize carat weight within your budget. It is difficult to give a clear standard answer, as the differences in cuts are discernible by individual. However, based on my experience, I will frankly explain for each item what cuts are better than this, so please use this as a reference.1. For rings including engagement rings
With designs such as bezel settings (settings that cover the diamond), brilliance is not as important, so you can still enjoy a Good setting.
Diamonds can be passed on to your children or grandchildren. You can use the diamonds as they are and change the design by remodeling, so we recommend that you choose a high-quality ring that you can keep for a lifetime.
②In the case of pendants and earrings
3.DiamondBring back the sparklefor?
(Diamond care)
As you wear diamond jewelry, it will gradually lose its shine.The main cause of this is oil. Diamonds are compatible with oil, and if hand cream or sebum gets on the surface, it becomes difficult for light to penetrate the diamond, causing it to lose its shine. Many stores offer free cleaning as part of their aftercare, so it is best to ask the store where you purchased the item, but diamonds are hard minerals, so they can be cleaned at home. We will introduce how to care for diamonds, so please use it as a reference.
●If you feel that the shine of the diamond is starting to dull, wipe it with a soft cloth such as chamois leather or a glasses cleaning cloth.
●If the shine still does not return, try the following steps.
＜Items to be prepared＞
·cup
・Neutral detergent such as dishwashing detergent
・Soft toothbrush
・Lukewarm water
・Kitchen paper or a cold air dryer
<Procedure>
①Put the lukewarm water and diamond jewelry in a cup
②Put a small amount of dishwashing detergent into the cup.
③ Put a toothbrush into the cup, take out the diamond jewelry, and wash the diamond by tapping it. If you rub it, the prongs that hold the diamond in place will come loose, so it is important to wash it by tapping it.
④ Rinse with lukewarm water.
5. Remove moisture using kitchen paper or a cold air dryer.
(Avoid using rough towels as your nails may get caught in the threads, causing your nails to lift or the towel to fray.)
This should bring back the shine, so give it a try.
Diamonds are hard minerals, so they can be maintained at home, but some gemstones may not be able to be cleaned using the above methods. Be careful if your jewelry has other gemstones besides diamonds.
At Houjudo, we don't just clean, we also provide refinishing (finishing the frames of rings, necklaces, etc.) so that your items look like new again. The process takes about an hour, so we can return your items to you on the same day, so please feel free to drop by.
In addition, we offer free resizing for rings for life. Please see below for details.
▼Hojudo's after-sales service
If you would like to know more or compare diamonds in person, please feel free to contact us or visit our store.
4. Summary
- ■ Cut is an important factor in expressing brilliance
- ■ Only round brilliant cuts are evaluated
- ■The ratings are in descending order: 3Excellent → Excellent → Very Good → Good → Fair → Poor
- ■ In addition to round brilliant cuts, there are various other shapes of diamonds called fancy cuts.
- ■ For rings, we recommend choosing Very Good or better, and for pendants and earrings, we recommend choosing Good or better.
- ■Diamonds are hard minerals, so they can be maintained at home.
5. HojudoDiamond
At Houjudo, we propose jewelry with the idea that it will be used for many years to come.Many customers choose the 3EX cut grade, so most of our loose stones in stock are 3EX.
But don't worry! Our prices are reasonable, so you can purchase diamonds of the same grade and from the same appraisal agency at half to one-third the market price. In addition to being a direct wholesale store, we are able to offer such prices through thorough cost cutting by operating a single store.
We mainly deal with diamonds certified by GIA and Central Gem Laboratory (CGL), and we always have over 100 diamonds in stock, with cuts ranging from Good to 3EX. If there is a diamond that we do not have in stock, we can search for it and make a suggestion, so please feel free to visit our store and contact us.
