Stone Shapes

The modern Round Brilliant cut came into existence roughly 60 years ago and is an adaptation of the brilliant cut that’s been around since the early 18th century, it remains the most popular cut to this day. A brilliant cut possesses 58-facets; divided among its crown (top), girdle (middle top) and pavilion (base). The result of which, if well cut, is a firing gem that shines with brilliance. All SECRETS simulated diamonds are cut with 58 facets and all feature hearts and arrows

The Princess cut combines the high degree of light return of a round brilliant cut with a distinctive shape. The princess cut is relatively new being created in the 1960’s. It often finds its way into solitaire engagement rings or earrings. This design is very well suited for long fingers. All SECRETS princess cuts are double facetted to increase the sparkle

The Radiant cut has 70 facets and is a variation of the brilliant cut. The crown section has a combination brilliant-step cut arrangement and the pavilion section has more of a brilliant styling with a slight step-styling in the upper sections just below the girdle. This is a supremely elegant style and the rectangular proportions lend themselves to many different styles of design.

The Emerald cut includes what are called “step” cuts. These are comprised of larger facets which act like mirrors. There are fewer facets than most other cuts and because of the size and shape of the facets the emerald cut shows less sparkle than the brilliant cut diamonds. However, the emerald cut has a classic beauty and elegance quite distinct from the fire and brilliance of others.

The Cushion cut was one of the most popular cuts up until the early 1900’s and the advent of electricity. The shape was enhanced by the shimmering and flickering of candle light and was usually referred to as the Pillow Cut due to its slightly rounded sides.

The Asscher cut is a unique design created specially for the Dutch Royal Family in 1902. It has an almost octagonal shape and was a departure from the popular brilliant cut of the 1800s, it became the forerunner of the standard Emerald cut. Its beauty however is breathtaking due in part to the angled corner facets which gives it a look of an inverted pyramid. It is also commonly attributed as having an Art Deco look which confers real class on the style.

The Oval shape is also brilliant cut, borrowing the same faceting techniques from the round brilliant although additional facets are added to assist in the elimination of the “bow-tie effect” in the mid section of the stone.

The Pear shape is also brilliant cut, except the proportions are elongated along the tip. One of the keys to cutting a good pear shape is the reduction of the bow-tie effect that appears in the lower mid section of the stone. Additional facets are also added to the tip of the stone (called “French Tipping”) to counter light leakage in the area

The Marquise cut is another adaptation of the 58 faceted round brilliant cut. This shape complements long slender fingers particularly well. The crown is modified in the marquise to form what is called a “French Tip”, where the bezel facet at the point of the stone is eliminated. Marquise diamonds have an elongated shape with pointed ends supposedly inspired by the smile of the Marquise de Pompadour and commissioned by the Sun King, France's Louis XIV

The Heart shape is also a brilliant cut and sparkles accordingly. Its enduring appeal is in its elegance and as the eternal symbol of love

The Trilliant is, as the name suggests, cut in the shape of a triangle. It possess sides equal in length and usually contains 50 facets. Because of its unique and extremely fancy shape, the trilliant cut will definitely turn heads.