You’ve been thinking about popping the question with an emerald cut engagement ring but, well, you’ve heard things about them:
• Weren’t they a thing in the 1920s? How will your bae feel about rocking her g-grandma’s style?
• Don’t they show every little flaw? You want to give her something she’ll show off, not try to hide.
• Aren’t they deficient in the sparkle department? Glittery diamonds tell the world she’s your one and only, so that’s kinda-sorta not good.
Okay, sure, there’s SOME truth to these assertions, but they don’t tell the whole story. Emerald cut diamonds HAVE been around for centuries, it’s true. In the beginning, medieval jewelers simply found the cut easier to produce. However, it’s still gracing engagement rings over 500 years later, so there’s definitely something to them.
When you think about it, emerald cut diamonds are seriously iconic. The elongated shape and cropped corners set them apart from other designs, and when you get the right diamond in a killer setting, you’ve got some major sparkle-art going on. However, we get that you want to do your due diligence. So let’s look at 5 reasons why emerald cut diamonds might not be your best choice, with special emphasis on MIGHT.
The Kamellie and The Alice with a 2 carat Emerald cut Diamonds in Yellow Gold
1. Emerald Cuts Aren’t Very Bright!
Okay, this one is sort of true. Emerald cut diamonds do have a cut style that can result in less sparkle, brilliance, and fire. In contrast to round and princess cuts, which have multiple facets that help refract light and create a sparkling effect, emerald cut diamonds have fewer, long, and narrow facets. This results in less refraction and less light dispersion.
Additionally, emerald cut diamonds have a larger table (the flat top surface of the diamond) compared to other shapes, which can further contribute to a lack of sparkle and brilliance. If you're looking for a diamond that really catches the eye and sparkles in any lighting, you may want to consider a different cut, such as a round or princess cut.
BUT......
With its long, elegant lines and unique step-cut facets, the emerald cut emphasizes clarity and color over sparkle and brilliance. A higher color grade can help to enhance the diamond's overall appearance, making it appear brighter and more vibrant. Look for diamonds with a color grade of G or higher.
Once you pick the right diamond, you’re all set! Especially if you go for a side stone or pave setting to amp up any brilliance the stone may be lacking on its own. For example:
• Three-stone rings like The Liv look absolutely fierce with their sparkling side baguettes and center stone. When that stone is a vibrant emerald cut, you’ve got all the brilliance you want and then some!
• Amp the sparkle factor with The Sofia, which has a shimmering hidden halo and pave diamonds along half its length. Any more glitter and sunglasses will be in order!
The Liv with a 5 carat Emerald cut Moissanite in White Gold
2. They Show Off EVERY Little Flaw!
This is another assertion that’s kinda-sorta true. Emerald cut diamonds can be like those too-tight jeans that show off every little flaw when you’re not in perfect shape. Only in this case, the imperfections are inclusions, which are natural blemishes like cavities, tiny crystals, and feathers. Since emerald cut diamonds have large and open facets that create a window-like effect, these aberrations are more obvious.
Does that mean emerald cuts are a no-go? Heck, NO!
But it IS important to choose a diamond with a high clarity grade and minimal inclusions or flaws. Look for diamonds with a clarity grade of VS2 or higher, and then imagine them in a breathtaking pave setting like The Pave Natalie or something that takes a cue from the beauty of nature like The Twig.
The Pave Natalie with a 2 carat Emerald cut Diamond, The Kristen and The Helen 1.8mm band in White Gold
3. They Haven’t Been a Thing Since the 1920s!
Correction: emerald cut diamonds BECAME a thing in the 1920s, when Art Deco was all the rage. The clean lines and geometric shapes of emerald cut diamonds were a perfect fit for the sleek and modern style of Art Deco jewelry.
It’s true that emerald cuts aren't currently as popular as round or princess cut diamonds, we all know that trends can and do change. Isn’t it better to choose a diamond cut with a long history of demand?
Emerald cuts are still a perfect fit for all kinds of designs, from classic to contemporary. Beyonce’s wearing a massive emerald-cut sparkler on her engagement ring, so enough said! If you want to follow Queen Bey’s example for your own queen, combine an emerald cut diamond with the vintage elegance of The Elizabeth or the sleek luster of The Alice.
The Elizabeth with a 2.5 carat Emerald cut Moissanite in White Gold
4. Emerald Cuts? WAY Too Fancy and Expensive!
Actually, no. Emerald cuts tend to be more affordable than most other shapes. When cutting an emerald shape from raw diamond, there is less wastage than if you cut a rounded or princess shape, so you get more bling for your buck.
Having said that, you DO generally need to go for a higher quality diamond in an emerald cut. This means you might end up paying more, but we’re not talking a small fortune. Remember- it’s for your bae’s engagement ring- definitely worth the splurge!
Need some ideas? With its round and marquise cut accent diamonds, The Chelsea is absolutely breathtaking. Ditto for the unbroken brilliance of The Pave Kamellie!
The Chelsea with a 1.5 carat Emerald cut Moissanite in Rose Gold
5. They’re Too Bulky!
Bulky? Not at all. However, emerald cut diamonds DO look bigger on the finger. That’s a big difference- pun intended.
Diamonds are measured in carat weight, so two diamonds with the same carat weight are technically equal in size. We say technically because if you lined up one-carat diamonds of different shapes, such as emerald, pear, and round, the emerald cut looks bigger due to its elongated shape.
If you want a nice big rock but don’t want to go all out with a higher carat weight, an emerald cut is a clear winner, especially if you choose a streamlined solitaire setting like The Kamellie. The combination of an emerald cut and the slim band creates maximum visual impact. If you are looking for something shinier, check The Pave Kamellie engagement ring. Its classic pave-set band and hidden halo light up the center stone from underneath.
The Kamellie with a 1 carat Emerald cut Diamond and The Pave Kamellie with a 2.5 carat Emerald cut Diamond in Yellow Gold
Emerald Cuts Make Killer Stacks!
With its elongated shape, emerald cut sparklers make absolutely gorgeous stacks! Don’t believe us? Check out this killer combo of The Lexie with The Mellany! If you really want to make an impact, add The Emerald U Prong Eternity, which is an uninterrupted circle of sheer emerald-cut brilliance.
The Lexie with a 1.5 carat Emerald Cut Diamond and The Mellany band in Yellow Gold
Team Emerald Is Actually a Great Place To Be!
So there you have it. Emerald cut diamonds are timeless, impressive, and give you a lot of extra dazzle for your dollar. If there’s ever a rock that demands a YES, it’s this one. If you’re confident that an emerald cut engagement ring will rock her world, go with your heart. When she sees it, she’ll give you hers- guaranteed.
