Most diamonds have one of three basic facet arrangements:

• Brilliant:  Brilliants have facet patterns that radiate from the center of the stone towards the edge, and triangle or kite shaped facets. The crown of a standard round brilliant has a large, central table facet with bezel facets radiating out towards the girdle edge. On the pavilion (underneath or bottom of the diamond), pavilion mains radiate from the culet towards the girdle. 

• Step:  Step cuts have concentric rows of (trapezoidal) facets parallel to the girdle. The crown of an emerald cut (the most popular step cut) has a large, central table, too, but it is surrounded by a row of facets. Below the first row is another, and below that, another (these are the "steps"). 

• Mixed:  Mixed cuts have a combination of brilliant and step facets (usually the crown is cut in one style and the pavilion in another).  Mixed cuts usually have step facets on the crown and brilliant facets on the pavilion, although occasionally this is reversed. Many diamond professionals think brilliants show maximum brightness (brilliance) and step cuts maximum color, while mixed cuts show a combination of the two.

Click here to see a picture and/or discussion of the types.

Shape is the outline of the girdle as seen when the stone is mounted

Round is the most popular diamond shape. Square or rectangular (called emerald cuts if they have step facets), marquise, pear, oval, and heart are the best known fancy cut diamonds.  Following is a list of the major shapes and their normal facet arrangement:

Click on Diamond Shape to see a picture

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Last modified: November 20, 2009