If you're looking for the perfect engagement ring, you'll already be aware that there is a wonderful world of gemstone cuts to choose from, some of which you'll be familiar with, while others are a little more unusual. While the stone shape you choose is ultimately a matter of personal preference, it's worth noting that some shapes lend themselves better to different stones.
Whether lab-created or mined, stones do not begin as the gleaming rocks we see in the jeweler's window. The process of preparing the raw stone for setting into jewelry includes cutting and polishing. A professional gem cutter will examine each stone individually to determine which cut will best enhance its natural beauty.
To keep things simple here, the intensity of a stone's sparkle is influenced by three main factors: reflection, refraction, and dispersion. When light enters a gem, it is reflected off the internal angles and directed back out, which is known as reflection. The refracted light then exits the gem, creating a dazzling sparkle! The more light a stone reflects, the brighter it is and the more stunning its lustre.
Most stone cuts are multi-faceted, which means they have many sides that are cut at precise angles. The stone is usually flat on top, with various polished faces that lead to a point at the back. All of these angles and shapes refract light, resulting in the most gleaming result!
Moissanites are a fantastic alternative to traditionally mined diamonds for engagement rings. Although they appear to be diamonds at first glance, they are not the same stone; diamonds are made of carbon, whereas moissanites are made of pure silicon carbide, a very rare, natural mineral.
Moissanites are extremely durable, will last a lifetime, and shine even brighter than diamonds! The two stones are slightly different in color, which is noticeable when they are placed side by side. A moissanite, on the other hand, produces more colorful flashes of light than a diamond and has a higher refractive index.
Moissanites are not only more beautiful than mined diamonds, but they are also better for the environment and less expensive. They can be up to 80% less expensive than the same size diamond equivalent, and because they are created in a lab, they avoid harmful mining - what's not to love?
To be clear, a moissanite is not a fake diamond; it is a completely different stone, just like rubies, sapphires, and emeralds. While both are 'colorless' gems, there is a subtle difference in their color that an expert may notice. A moissanite can be grey or yellow in color, whereas a diamond is more white. However, some people think this is more beautiful, with their unique fiery rainbow radiance.
Because moissanites are a natural stone, each one is examined by an expert before being cut to enhance its natural brilliance, making each one truly unique. Moissanites are treated and cut in the same way that diamonds are, and they can be cut into any size or shape. So, once you've decided that a gorgeous moissanite is the gem for you, the really exciting part is deciding on the style of ring you want!
To begin, there are two basic types of stone cuts: Step and Brilliant. A brilliant cut is the more complicated design, created to enhance maximum sparkle, whereas a step cut is more simple and ideal for a stone with excellent clarity, as it really shows off the natural beauty of the stone.
Brilliant cut stones typically have 58 angled facets – sometimes even more – to maximize sparkle. A step cut has parallel lines that form'steps' and is a more subtle shape that enhances the clarity and color of the gem.
Extinctions and windows are another thing to keep an eye out for when selecting your gem. Extinctions, also known as blackouts, are areas of darkness in the stone, whereas 'windowed' means it has a reduced color in the center of the stone and is darker around the edge, which can affect the overall brilliance and value of the stone.
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