Unlocking the Secrets of the Emerald Cut

The cut of an emerald, beyond its color, is a primary determinant of its value and allure. While sturdy, emeralds can be shaped into various forms and carat sizes. Factors such as technology have improved the precision and beauty of emerald cuts. Raw emeralds come in diverse forms; some are embedded in minerals, while others are smooth, alluvial deposits. After extraction, meticulous efforts are made to achieve a high-quality gem.

Shape and Carat

Emeralds can take on numerous shapes, including cushion, round, emerald, and princess. These gemstones are heavier at the base compared to diamonds of the same weight, making their top facet and millimeter size appear smaller. Standardized sizes help jewelers create designs that accommodate popular emerald dimensions. For more insights, visit our section on Emerald Shapes.

While evaluating the rough stone, an emerald cutter aims to choose a shape that minimizes waste and maximizes the gemstone’s use. Although round emeralds are favored, they come at a premium due to the higher wastage during production.

Shapes like emerald and cushion are especially sought after for engagement rings. The emerald cut, named after the gem itself, ensures minimal wastage and augments the gem’s inherent stability. Its open facet emphasizes the gem’s rich green hue beautifully.

Color Consideration

The most coveted emeralds display either a pure green or a hint of blue. Emeralds that showcase even color saturation and a medium green tone are deemed the most valuable. Cutting experts ensure an even distribution of this green shade for optimal brilliance from all perspectives. At Artful Bracelets, we hand-pick emeralds that boast vivid, evenly saturated green hues, avoiding extremes of darkness or light. Detailed information is available in our emerald color guide.

Emerald Brilliance

The sparkle or brilliance of an emerald, noticeable from various angles, is fundamental to its appeal. Precision in faceting ensures the desired sparkle. Although emeralds don’t shine as brightly as diamonds, their unique glimmer, enhanced by light reflection, is highly pleasing. A well-cut emerald reflects light magnificently, producing flashes of brilliance as the gem turns.

Types of Cuts

Step Cut

The step or emerald cut, featuring parallel facets descending from the top, highlights the gem’s color and maintains structural integrity. Large inclusions in the central top facet should be avoided as they are more noticeable. Artful Bracelets selects emeralds with minimal inclusions.

Brilliant Cut

The brilliant cut involves triangular facets whose number varies by shape. Though it requires more precision and may result in higher wastage, it produces the highest sparkle.

Mixed Cut

Combining the brilliant and step cuts, the mixed cut often features a brilliant-cut crown for enhanced sparkle and a step-cut pavilion to reduce wastage. Artful Bracelets prioritizes brilliant and mixed cuts for optimizing sparkle and color.

Cabochon Cut

Cabochon emeralds feature a smooth, rounded surface and a flat base. Easier to produce, they are more affordable and come in various sizes.

Emerald Inclusions

Natural emeralds often contain inclusions known as a “jardin,” which give them a unique identity. While necessary, excessive inclusions can impair the gem’s brilliance and color. Artful Bracelets ensures the use of eye-clean emeralds with minimal visible inclusions, ensuring optimal vibrancy. For further details, explore our emerald clarity section.