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Home / Blog /
Apr 06, 2022

A QUICK GUIDE TO FANCY CUT

DIAMONDS – INCLUDING THE NEW
CADILLAC CUT DIAMOND

1
In this blog we answer a few questions about Fancy Cut diamonds, which are fast becoming a must on
engagement ring wish lists.

I also chatted to our designer-maker Kerry about the design process of making a ring with fancy cut
diamonds in her new Tanzanite and Cadillac Diamond ring.

What is a Fancy Cut Diamond?

A fancy cut diamond, is a diamond which has been cut into any shape other than a Round Brilliant Cut.

Popular fancy cuts include: Oval, Pear, Cushion, Marquise and Heart shape cuts which are
modifications of the Round Brilliant Cut, with a multitude of facets underneath which give a glittering
fiery brilliance. Emerald Cut and Baguette Cut diamonds, are rectangular cuts with the facets cut in a
stepped-style so the ice-like transparency of a diamond is on full show.

More unusual fancy cuts include Asscher Cut, Radiant Cut, Princess Cut, Trilliant Cut, Trapezoid Cut,
Half Moon Cut and Cadillac Cut (more on the Cadi cut later).
Our Jewellery shops in Brighton, Chichester and Eastbourne all have a fantastic range of diamond
jewellery. We specialise in certificated diamond engagement rings – with many designs featuring
fabulous fancy cut diamonds.

Shop Diamond Engagement Rings at Gold Arts

18ct Yellow Gold Baguette Diamond Dainty Ring

£360.00

Add to Cart

Platinum Laboratory-Grown Pink Pear Shape Diamond Solitaire

Ring
£6,250.00

Add to Cart

Platinum Laboratory-Grown 2.53ct Round Cut Diamond

 Solitaire Ring with Diamond Shoulders
£5,750.00

Add to Cart

Platinum Laboratory-Grown 1.90ct Emerald Cut Diamond

Solitaire Ring with Diamond Shoulders
£3,450.00

Add to Cart

What is the rarest cut of Diamond?

While some cuts may be more unusual, or difficult to obtain, they are not necessarily ‘rare’. That is
because the cut is the decision about the design of the diamond, led by consumer demand. A rough
diamond can be laser sawn into any cut, however in reality the decision of the lapidarist is based on a
balance between the shape which suits best the natural formation of the diamond, i.e discarding or
disguising inclusions and what the diamond traders think will sell.

Cut is directly governed by fashions and jewellery wearing trends and budgets, however if a certain cut
suddenly becomes popular you may find its rarity to obtain increases briefly. Equally lesser-known cuts
may not be as widely available so there are less on the market to choose from, so bargain hunting is
trickier.
 How Many Different Fancy Cuts Are There?

There are hundreds of different cuts, including diamonds cut for one-off commissions, or made to fit into
specific designs.

The key to a designing a popular fancy cut is that it has an attractive shape yet still entices you in with
supreme sparkle because the facets have been cut to enhance light.

Are Fancy Cut Diamonds Expensive?

When factors such as carat, colour and clarity are equal, you usually find that a Fancy Cut is a little
less expensive. Without wanting to generalise too much, the most expensive cut of diamond is the
Round Brilliant Cut. Fancy Cuts can be more affordable because when they are cut from the rough
diamond not as much is discarded as for a round brilliant.

How To Wear A Fancy Cut Diamond?

From solitaire rings to diamond stud earrings, you can always swap a round diamond for a fancy cut,
to give your style an instant boost. Some shapes work well on their own in a solitaire engagement ring,
such as an emerald cut or marquise cut. Flat edged cuts such as baguette cut and princess cut will sit
flush in a diamond eternity ring, giving a superb shimmer. Certain cuts such as half moon, trapezoid
and Cadillac cuts are best as a pair, set either side of another gemstone, for example in a Trilogy Ring.

Shop Diamond Trilogy Rings at Gold Arts

9ct White Gold Baguette & Round Diamond Art Deco Style
Ring
£1,250.00

Add to Cart

Platinum 1.93ct Laboratory-Grown Diamond Trilogy Ring

£5,250.00

Add to Cart

18ct Yellow Gold Laboratory-Grown 2.78ct Yellow Cushion Cut

Diamond Trilogy Ring
£9,950.00

Add to Cart
 18ct Yellow Gold Certificated Emerald Cut Diamond Trilogy
Ring
£3,995.00

Add to Cart

What To Look For When Choosing A Fancy Diamond?

There are so many variations in the design of fancy cuts, even a variation in the proportions can give a
unique look to your ring. The real beauty of a fancy cut diamond, is that you can experiment more with
the design of your ring. Combining different shapes of diamond utilises the different ways that light
behaves when it hits a diamond creating a dazzling effect.

Fancy cuts make excellent diamonds for unusual engagement rings. Because of the striking shapes,
many women choose fancies for their special occasion jewellery. Pairing with coloured gemstones, is
where the fun begins, with the blend of colour and shape giving inspiration for some fabulous designs.

Shop Coloured Gemstone Rings at Gold Arts

18ct Yellow Gold Laboratory-Grown 2.78ct Yellow Cushion Cut

Diamond Trilogy Ring
£9,950.00

Add to Cart

Pre-loved 18ct Yellow Gold Diamond Horseshoe Ring with

Sapphire
£495.00

Add to Cart
 Platinum Red Spinel and Diamond Ring
£1,450.00

Add to Cart

18ct White Gold Ruby & Diamond Double Halo Ring

£1,250.00

Add to Cart

What is a Cadillac Diamond?

The Cadillac Cut Diamond (or Cadi for short) is a shield shaped diamond, with 5 sides, the longest
base side has angled sides which symmetrically taper to an apex. It is called a Cadillac cut because of
its resemblance to the Cadillac logo.

In Kerry’s Tanzanite & Cadillac Diamond Trilogy Ring, you can see how the pair of Cadi cuts perfectly
complement the central gemstone.

Platinum Trilogy Ring with 3.89ct Tanzanite and Cadillac Diamond Shoulders
£8,395.00
Kerry Newman is trained goldsmith and one of our top designers at Gold Arts. She is based in
our Brighton workshop, so I asked Kerry how she uses fancy cut diamonds in her designs.

“Selecting the diamonds is a fascinating part of the design process. Modern technologies have helped
me as a designer because the precision of diamond laser cutting has given rise to new shapes being
developed. As new shapes come onto the market, they inspire new designs in me.

I often work by creating a sketch, which I then translate into my CAD software. My latest rings stemmed
from a pair of beautiful tanzanite which I acquired. They were obviously going to be a centre piece
stones, so I could have created a traditional trilogy ring with round brilliant cut diamonds. Instead, I
used Trapezoids for one ring as their angular shape matched the Tanzanite emerald cut. The Cadillac
diamonds were a new discovery, which I hadn't used before in a design, and I am thrilled with the final
ring.”

INSPIRED?

Whether you are looking for an unusual engagement ring or would like us to design a ring for any
other occasion, our team at Gold Arts Brighton, Chichester and Eastbourne would be delighted to help
you. Our stores each have a goldsmiths workshop on the premises, who design, make, repair and
restore all types of jewellery.
Find our more about our Bespoke Design Workshop
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