The Old-Fashioned Taste of a Rose Cut Diamond

Rose Cut diamonds are rarely seen nowadays,anywhere from three to 24 triangular facets are
though they are starting to make a comeback. Theyused to mimic the progressively tighter spiral of a
can mostly be found today in antique jewelry, butrose. As these come together, they reflect the
some cutters are cutting them again, albeit still incentral focal point of a rose bud.
small numbers.Now, the rose cut lost its flourish eventually because
Rose Cut diamonds were first introduced in the earlyit's got a serious flaw. It "leaks light". Diamonds, are
1500s, though some say they were around even asnormally cut in such a way that they seem to emit
early as the 1300s, and lost popularity in the earlyan internal light, a trait known as "fire and brilliance".
1900s. The source is also under dispute, as some sayRose cuts don't do this - instead, they reflect light
the cut originated in India and some say Holland.that is coming in from around them.
A diamond cut refers to the shaping of a diamondRose cuts are cut in such a way that they maximize
with the "symmetrical arrangement of facets". Facetsa stone's carat weight, but this gives them more risk
are geometrical shapes, which are cut intoof being flawed in their facets. While this trait can be
gemstones, to improve their look and to facilitateused to cover up a flaw, it can also distort the color
reflection of light, as well as to giving a general shapeof the stone. Jewelers have used thin gold, silver, or
to the diamond, such as a round, princess, cushion,foil backings to enhance the appearance of "fire and
etc..brilliance" in rose cut stones.
A typical rose cut has a unique shape and facetThese diamonds require extra care. As the Table of
arrangement. It has a flat bottom and an elevatedthe diamond protrudes out in the shape of a dome, it
pointed dome with triangular facets forming a point.is possible that it can be damaged or chipped along
The dome is generally in the shape of a hemispherethe facet points. The setting of rose cut diamonds
or pyramid. The number of triangular facets in a roseare often very delicate and needs careful handling.
cut diamond may vary between 12 to 24.Usually the settings used for these diamonds are
Generally it has a lower tier of triangular facets whichprong, bezel and flush. Above all, most of the rose
in combination with the upper tier, gives the look of acut diamonds are part of antique jewelery.
rose bud. The facets in the upper tier are called starThis style of cut can increase the carat weight of
facets and the ones in the lower tier are known asthe diamond, which in turn can dull the brilliance.
the diagonal facets. Usually, the middle portion has sixThese diamonds reflect the light from outside and
triangular facets, which meet at a point in the center.there is no refraction of inner glitter. Nevertheless,
The outline of this diamond is usually circular butthere is a revival in the demand for rose cut
there are oval, hexagonal and pear-shaped domes.diamonds and both old ones and the new ones are
The facet arrangement is usually in multiples of six.available now. You can differentiate the older ones
Rose cut diamonds have flat bottoms without theby their irregular shape and knife-edge girdle. The
distinctive tapering body; instead, the crown of thenew diamonds are more calibrated (cut to exact
diamond is elevated in a faceted dome wheresizes) and most of them have their origin in India.