Beyond the Round: The Desire of the Fancy Shape
The Shape of a Diamond: Why Fancy Cuts Matter
The round brilliant may be the classic, and still the cut which is the most acquired globally.
But when it comes to diamonds with presence, fancy shapes tell a more interesting story; Oval, Emerald, Pear, Marquise, Cushion, Radiant.
Each has its own character, and the difference is in the details. A diamond’s shape is its silhouette. Its cut is what brings that silhouette to life: the proportions, facets, symmetry and relationship with light. This is where exceptional fancy shapes become compelling.
It’s All in the Proportion
Two diamonds can share the same carat weight and look entirely different.
An elongated oval can feel graceful and effortless, where a broader oval, more substantial.
A marquise can appear almost architectural, while a pear can feel softer, more fluid.
The emerald cut is perhaps the most restrained. Its long, linear facets create flashes of light and reflection rather than the constant scintillation of a brilliant cut.
The beauty is in the proportion, and the right proportion and fancy cut can illuminate the eye to being percepived as bigger than it truly is.
Beyond the Round
Fancy shapes also become increasingly interesting as size increases.
At two carats, shape may be a question of personal style. At ten, fifteen or twenty carats, it becomes part of the identity of the stone. The relationship between carat weight and face-up presence becomes impossible to ignore.This is where a fancy shape can become more than a design choice, and It becomes the statement.
What I Look For
When acquiring a fancy-shaped diamond, I am less interested in what is considered the “best” shape and more interested in whether the stone itself is exceptional and to meet clients needs.
I look at:
Proportion
Symmetry
Light
Face-up presence
Color and clarity
And, ultimately, character
SLIMMS sources and designs exceptional natural diamonds and gemstones for private collectors and clients seeking access beyond the public market.