Summer Jewelry Designs

Diamonds are formed under conditions of intense heat and pressure deep within the Earth's surface over billions of years. When found at a depth of around 100 miles, they are just lumpy pieces that resemble glass and often have an oily appearance, lacking the sparkle we associate with cut diamonds in fine jewelry. The luster and refraction of light in a cut diamond distinguish it from any other gemstone, and it is carefully crafted by artisans from a rough diamond to optimize its use in fine jewelry.

Therefore, the cut of a diamond significantly impacts its sparkle, brilliance, and beauty, making it one of the most important factors in determining the price of a diamond. Round diamonds are typically cut as single cuts or full cuts. Diamonds that are not round come in various shapes referred to as 'fancy cuts' and have a varying number of facets. The terms 'single cut' and 'full cut' in round diamonds refer to the faceting of the diamond, especially in smaller sizes, which are often used as accents in engagement rings or fine fashion jewelry that lacks center stones. The distinct characteristics of each cut affect the price of the diamond jewelry you are considering purchasing.

Summer Jewelry Designs

What Are Single Cut Diamonds?

Single-cut diamonds are round diamonds that have 16 or 17 facets. They feature what is known as an '8/8 arrangement,' consisting of 8 facets on the crown, eight facets on the pavilion of the diamond, and a table facet, totaling 17 facets. These diamonds were commonly used in jewelry from the 1800s up to 1950, when technological advancements made it possible to cut smaller diamonds with a greater number of facets, leading to the emergence of full-cut diamonds.

Summer Jewelry Designs

Summer Jewelry Designs

What Are Full Cut Diamonds?

Full cut diamonds are round diamonds that boast 58 facets. Most rough diamonds are initially shaped into single cuts and then additional facets are introduced to transform them into full-cut diamonds. Any diamond with fewer than 58 facets is not considered a true full cut diamond.

Summer Jewelry Designs

Summer Jewelry Designs

Summer Jewelry Designs

What Is the Difference Between Single Cut Diamonds and Full Cut Diamonds?

In small diamonds, the visual differences between single cut and full cut are subtle, but the refraction of light is far greater in full cut diamonds due to their larger number of facets. Single cut diamonds have a subdued sparkle and reflect less brilliance due to their fewer and larger facets. In contrast, the 57 facets of a full cut diamond create a 'fiery' appearance, resulting from the reflections of light and colors from the smaller facets. Think of these facets as mirrors that reflect light; more facets equate to more reflection and, consequently, higher brilliance. Additionally, cutting a larger number of facets in smaller diamonds is more labor-intensive, which adds to the cost of the diamonds. Since cutting fewer facets is less labor-intensive, some jewelers opt for single cut diamonds to save time and resources.

Summer Jewelry Designs

In engagement rings or jewelry featuring a central focal stone, smaller full cut diamonds serve as beautiful accents to modern, brilliantly faceted center diamonds in shapes such as round brilliant, oval, radiant, or modern cushion cuts. In jewelry without center stones, typically found in fine fashion jewelry, full cut diamonds shine brighter thanks to their enhanced brilliance. Diamonds are valued for their luster and brilliance and have always been the epitome of love. We believe that diamonds should be brilliant and choose not to compromise on our values. Browse our collection of diamond engagement rings. At Gabriel & Co., we would never sell anything that we would not give to a loved one. Therefore, we exclusively use full cut diamonds in all our jewelry.

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