St. George & Southern Utah
Emerald cut engagement rings, and the grade they will not forgive
An emerald cut is the most grown-up ring in the case and the most honest about the stone in it. Long straight lines, big flat facets, no sparkle hiding anything. That is exactly why people who know jewellery choose it, and exactly why it needs a slightly better stone than a round does.
What you get at each weight
| Emerald cut, in 14K gold | Size | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 0.53 ct | 6 × 4 mm | $1,230 |
| 0.72 ct | 6.5 × 4.5 mm | $1,290 |
| 0.96 ct | 7 × 5 mm | $1,360 |
| 1.25 ct | 7.5 × 5.5 mm | $1,450 |
| 1.5 ct | 8 × 6 mm | $1,530 |
| 2 ct | 8.5 × 6.5 mm | $1,700 |
| 2.5 ct | 9 × 7 mm | $1,860 |
The one thing to know before you buy one
An emerald cut shows its inclusions. That is not a flaw in the cut, it is the consequence of it: big flat facets and long straight lines give the eye a clear path straight through the stone, so anything inside is visible from further away than it would be in a round.
A round diamond has dozens of small facets scattering light in every direction, which breaks up and hides whatever is in there. An emerald cut does the opposite. A stone that looks perfect in a round will be visible in an emerald cut.
In practice this means one thing: an emerald cut is worth buying at a slightly better clarity than you would need in a round, and it is worth spending that money rather than hoping. Tell us your budget and we will tell you honestly whether it stretches to a step cut or whether you would be happier in a different shape for the same figure.
What it looks like on the hand
- It reads as elegant rather than showy. The sparkle is broad flashes rather than pin-fire glitter, so it looks calm and expensive rather than bright and loud. It is the shape people who dislike shouting choose.
- Its corners are the vulnerable part. Four sharp corners on any rectangular stone are where damage would start, and they are why we set an emerald cut with a prong protecting each corner and normally a lower profile for a ring worn daily.
- It suits a wider finger better than a narrow one. The straight lines and the width of the stone give it presence, and it does not rely on sparkle to be noticed.
- It photographs beautifully and lies still. There is no winking facet in iPhone video, which is a real and practical reason people who post a lot like it.
Emerald cut or round, for the same money
At one carat in 14K gold, both are $1,380 from us. The difference is entirely what you want the ring to say: a round is the safest, most sparkling, most forgiving stone made, and an emerald cut is restrained, architectural and unforgiving about the stone.
If you are between the two, ask for both drawings. They cost you nothing and the decision is much easier made against the ring than in the abstract.
What happens when you ask
Send us a photo, a link, or just describe it. A CAD drawing of your ring and an exact price come back within 48 hours, free, with no obligation. The $20 deposit only applies if you approve the drawing and want it made, and it comes off the final price.
If you want to see the stone before it is set, say so. You are welcome to come and look at the certified stone at the bench in St. George.
Questions people actually ask
What is an emerald cut diamond?
A rectangular step cut with cut corners and long straight facets. It is called an emerald cut because it is the shape invented for emeralds, whose crystal structure suits it. A diamond cut this way has broad flashes of light rather than the glitter of a round brilliant.
Why is an emerald cut cheaper?
It is not, from us — it is the same price as any other shape at the same weight. What costs more with an emerald cut is the stone it needs: the cut shows inclusions, so you normally buy a better clarity than you would in a round.
Does an emerald cut diamond hide inclusions?
No, it is the shape that hides them least. Its large flat facets let the eye see straight through the stone. If you want the most forgiving cut, that is a round, and it is worth knowing before you spend on the wrong thing.
What size is a 1 carat emerald cut diamond?
About 7 by 5 mm in the stones we make, at roughly a 1.4 ratio. Tell us if you want it longer or squarer and we will draw it to your proportions.
Is an emerald cut good for everyday wear?
Yes, with two sensible adjustments: a prong protecting each of the four corners, and a lower setting so it catches less on clothing. That is how we would make it for a ring worn daily, and it is standard rather than an extra.
Free to ask. A drawing and an exact price in 48 hours.