DIAMOND GUIDES
A Guide to Diamond Cuts and Diamond Shapes
The cut and shape of a diamond are essential elements in defining its beauty and character. Each plays a distinct yet interconnected role in the overall appearance of the stone. The cut must be impeccably balanced, with symmetrical, mirror-like facets that enhance the diamond’s natural brilliance. Meanwhile, the shape influences how light is reflected and refracted within the stone, determining its sparkle, luminosity, and allure.
This Fuster Guide offers an in-depth overview of diamond cuts and shapes, providing you with the knowledge and confidence to make an informed decision when selecting an extraordinary diamond.
Selecting the perfect diamond cut
The shape of a diamond defines its luminous character, with every meticulously hand-crafted facet revealing the stone’s natural brilliance. Each cut possesses its own distinctive charm and elegance, expressing a unique personality. A diamond engagement ring should not only capture the imagination, but also create an enduring, radiant statement—one as singular as the love it represents.
ROUND BRILLIANT DIAMOND
With 57 or 58 meticulously hand-finished facets, the timeless round brilliant cut is masterfully designed to capture and reflect light from every angle—achieving exceptional luminosity. Celebrated as a captivating centerpiece in solitaire designs, each of our round brilliant cut diamonds is precisely proportioned to deliver unparalleled fire, brilliance, and elegance.
EMERALD CUT DIAMOND
Characterized by its sleek lines and beveled corners, the emerald cut is a masterpiece of refined elegance. Its mirror-like table highlights the diamond’s symmetrical proportions and long, linear facets—an effect that exudes poise and precision. However, the openness of the cut leaves no room to hide imperfections, making it essential that only diamonds of the highest clarity and quality are selected to embody this sophisticated shape.
PEAR SHAPE DIAMOND
A timeless expression of refined elegance, the tapered silhouette of this design evokes the delicate form of a teardrop. Renowned for its graceful asymmetry, this cut subtly elongates the finger, making it an especially flattering choice for those with slender hands. Sophisticated and enduring, it embodies both modern poise and classic allure.
OVAL DIAMOND
An oval diamond—an elegant variation of the round brilliant cut—strikes a harmonious balance between captivating brilliance and modern sophistication. As one of the more recent additions to the diamond cutter’s repertoire, its elongated silhouette offers a graceful allure, particularly flattering on petite hands. When paired with complementary side stones, the oval shape is further enhanced, creating a refined and luminous presence.
HEART SHAPE DIAMOND
The most romantic of all diamond cuts, the heart-shaped diamond is a true symbol of love and devotion. Its beautifully balanced silhouette—equal in length across the widest point and from cleft to tip—requires exceptional craftsmanship and precision to achieve its softly rounded curves. Featuring a total of 59 meticulously cut facets, the heart diamond radiates light with captivating brilliance and scintillation, making it one of the most cherished and emotive shapes in fine jewelry.
CUSHION CUT DIAMOND
A true emblem of timeless elegance, the cushion cut diamond is distinguished by its softly rounded corners—gracefully balancing the structured geometry of an emerald cut with the captivating brilliance of a round brilliant diamond. This harmonious blend of form and fire creates a jewel of enduring sophistication.
At Fuster, the work of our master cutters and polishers demands extraordinary skill, unwavering precision, and a profound sense of patience. With boundless passion and the steadiest of hands, our artisans bring each diamond to life—unveiling its inner brilliance and transforming nature’s rarest treasures into radiant works of art.
Planning
Every rough diamond undergoes a meticulous assessment to determine the optimal cut. The shape, inclusions, and internal structure are carefully evaluated. The cutter then marks the stone with precision, charting the ideal path to maximise its beauty and value.
Cleaving
The diamond is then cleaved along its natural planes or sawn using specialised tools such as a diamond saw or laser. This step separates the rough into more manageable pieces, preparing it for further refinement.
Bruting
To establish its basic shape—most commonly round or oval—the diamond is carefully rounded through a technique known as bruting. This involves grinding the edges against another diamond or a spinning wheel, forming a symmetrical outline.
Faceting
This stage requires the most refined skill. The cutter crafts the diamond’s facets—flat, polished surfaces arranged in precise geometric patterns—designed to enhance the stone’s light performance. The placement and number of facets vary according to the intended cut, all contributing to the diamond’s fire, brilliance, and scintillation.
Polishing
Each facet is meticulously polished to perfection. This time-intensive process ensures every angle reflects and refracts light to its fullest potential, elevating the stone’s visual impact.
Final Cleaning
The diamond is cleaned to remove microscopic traces of cutting and polishing materials, revealing its true luminosity.
Final Inspection
Each finished diamond undergoes rigorous inspection and grading based on the 4Cs—cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight—as defined by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Only those that meet our uncompromising standards are selected for the Fuster Legacy.
Our diamond experts are available to guide you through the nuances of each cut, helping you understand how craftsmanship, proportion, and precision come together to shape a diamond’s timeless allure. At Fuster, every stone is a testament to artistry, excellence, and enduring beauty.
