Tag Archives: diamond cuts

30 Mar

Cushion Cut Diamonds

A cushion cut diamond is the perfect answer for those torn between round brilliant and princess or square cut diamonds. Cushion cut diamonds were once the standard cut for diamonds, before round brilliant cuts took over. With their soft, rounded corners, cushion cut diamonds bridge the gap between round brilliant cuts and princess cuts. At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we have a beautiful array of GIA certified cushion cut diamonds for your engagement ring or jewelry piece.

Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Ring from Rahaminov

PROS & CONS of Cushion Cut Diamonds

Jewelers and recipients alike, enjoy this design for its classic and timeless aesthetic. Furthermore, gemologists have determined these cuts to have the most dispersion of light, or fire. Additionally, the jewelry market typically prices round brilliant cut diamonds higher than cushion cut for two reasons.

  1. Demand
  2. Less waste

However due to the deeper cut needed for this design, you will need to overcompensate with a larger stone than anticipated.

4 C’S

CUT:

  • Chunky vs Crushed Ice: Jewelers refer to these two terms when talking about the back facets and light reflections. If the light reflections appear in broad flashes, it refers to “chunky” aesthetic, if it appears as broken glass
"Chunky" Cushion Cut Diamond
“Chunky”
"Crushed Ice" Cushion Cut
“Crushed Ice”
  • Length-to-Width Ration: Cushion cuts can come in “square” ratios as well as varying rectangle ratios. We should mention that you ought to avoid a length to width ration between 1.06 to 1.10.
  • Standard vs Modified Brilliant Cushion Cuts: Beginning in the 1920’s, diamond cutters added an extra row of facets beneath the girdle. However there is minimal affect on the beauty or structural integrity of the diamond.
  • Depth and Table: look for a cushion cuts with a depth and table under 70%.  As well as symmetry and polish that is very good or excellent.

CARAT WEIGHT:

  • As we previously mentioned, cushion cuts tend to appear smaller than their round counterparts due to the depth of the cuts. That being said, if size is an issue, you may have to go larger than anticipated.

COLOR:

  • Cushion cuts show more color than round brilliant but this effect is negated by their brilliance and dispersion. However, we suggest looking for cushion cuts with color grades of I or higher.

CLARITY:

  • Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers tell shoppers to choose clarity grades of SI1 or higher as the integrity of the stone is not compromised as well as the aesthetic.

Email, text or call Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers today to learn more about cushion cut diamonds and how to set up a free consultation with one of our highly trained sales associates.

02 Aug

Marquise Diamonds

marquise diamonds - victoria beckham engagement ring

One of the most unique and definitive engagement ring diamond cuts are marquise diamonds. Jewelers and fans also refer to marquise cuts as football cuts, cat-eye cuts and boat cuts because of the highly elongated elliptical shape. This 58 faceted diamond cut is actually a vintage style and looks great on long, slender fingers. Furthermore, this romantic cut breathes an aristocratic air and carries a royal pedigree.

According to the legend, marquise diamonds date back to the 18th century where “King Louis XV commissioned a jewelry to design a diamond cut that resembled the lips of Jean Antoinette Poisson, his mistress”. Furthermore, these diamonds also signify a rank just below duke, where individuals would actually wear these diamonds to signify said rank.

Additionally, gemologist originally design marquise cuts for diamonds, however jewelers now use these cuts with emeralds, rubies and sapphires.

Custom Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring by Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers
Custom Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring by Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers

Marquise Diamonds – TIPS

  • Marquise cuts are a fairly extreme cut when it comes to diamond cuts, so they are susceptible to chipping, so you may want to look for a mounting with protective prongs along the ends of the diamond.
  • A higher cut grade is important for the marquise diamond. Typically, elongated shapes tend to form a bow tie effect in the middle of the stone. Additionally, the symmetry of marquise cuts are very important.
  • One noticeable benefit is that marquise cuts tend to make the center stone look larger.

Do you like marquise diamonds? You know who else does too? Victoria Beckham, aka Posh Spice, Ashley Simpson and THE Catherine Zeta Jones.

Ashlee Simpson Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring
Ashlee Simpson Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring

At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we can create the perfect marquise diamond (or other precious gemstone) engagement ring. Additionally, stop by our Whitefish Bay or Milwaukee location to talk with our in-house gemologist.

10 Apr

Princess Cut Diamonds

princess cut diamonds

Your true love is your princess; it’s only fitting to propose your undying love for her with a princess cut diamond engagement ring? This beautifully and interestingly square cut diamond is actually the second most popular style of diamond cut, below round but above cushion! At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, we decided to share with you all there is to know about princess cut diamonds

Princess Cut Diamonds History:

Surprisingly, diamond cutters have been only creating this style of cut for around 40 years to 50 years. Although it is hard to pinpoint, gemologist argue that a man named Basil Watermeyer created  the cut as the Barion Cut in the 1970’s, however this was a combination of an emerald cut and a marquise cut. Others point to Arpad Nagy, a London Based diamond cutter, who created the what was then known as the “profile cut” back in 1961. started seeing demand for this style around the 1970’s. Israeli diamond cutters, Betzalel Amber and Israel Itzkowitz popularized Nagy’s cut several years later under the name Princess Cut, which was a “fancy French inspired cut”.

The Cut:

The princess cut was designed to have a modern, clean and feminine look to it. It is actually a modified square cut stone. Typically, princess cut diamonds appear as square, sometimes rectangle. On the profile, the stone has an inverted pyramid shape with four beveled sides. These stones typically have between 60 to 70 facets. Furthermore, because they retain, on average, 80% of the original rough stone, they are prone to having more inclusions than a round brillian cut. Which is not a negative, this allows the uniquely cut ring to have a very interesting and gorgeous light play to it!

The Cost:

Because Princess Cut Diamond only lose 20% of the rough stone when being cut (compared to 40-50% of a round diamond) they are a less expensive cut when all other factors are held constant (i.e. the 4 C’s).

Similar Cuts:

Cushion Cuts – have larger facets than princess cuts which increase their brilliance and highlight the clarity. However, they do not have as sharp of a sparkle and have an older, more vintage feel. Furthermore, they do not have as sharp of edges as princess cuts.

Round Brilliant – The most popular style of ring tends to look bigger when comparing the same carat weight stone. However, due to the cutting process, they are more expensive when all factors are held constant.

Asscher Cut – Similarly cut to a princess cut but with step cuts (a commonly found on emeralds, hence the name, emerald cut).

Famous Princess Cuts
Emily Ratajkowski Engagement Ring
Emily Ratajkowski Engagement Ring
  • Chicago Cubs World Series Rings features two princess cut diamond, among others.
  • Emily Ratajkowski – When choosing an engagement ring, she couldn’t decide between a princess cut or a pear cut, so she got both!
  • Cameron Diaz
  • Snooki – Everyone’s favorite Jersey Shore socialite has an engagement ring with a princess cut center stone.
Snooki Engagement Ring - princess cut diamonds
Snooki Engagement Ring

At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, our professionally trained sales team and GIA-certified gemologist are eager to help you find the perfect diamond for the perfect engagement ring. Visit Schwanke-Kasten in one of our two convenient Milwaukee Locations (Downtown Milwaukee and Whitefish Bay).