This is Why Rose Cut Diamonds are Underrated

Rose cut diamonds are the ugly step sisters of the fine jewelry world. Well, at least that’s what some people would lead you to believe.

It takes a particular type of person to fall in love with this stone. Likewise, some trend-setting jewelry designers have brought this cut back in recent years because of its out-of-the-box beauty and affordability.

For those of us that admire antique jewelry, we’re lucky enough to have plenty of rose cut diamonds to choose from in Georgian and Victorian era jewelry.

This guide will go through everything you should know if you’re in the market for a rose cut. More than anything, the hope is that this information furthers your appreciation for this special, heirloom-worthy diamond that quite literally glows from within.

What is a Rose Cut Diamond?

A rose cut diamond has a faceted, dome-shaped top and a flat bottom. In contrast, a round brilliant cut diamond has a flat top and a faceted, pointed bottom.

Unlike the brilliant cut that has 58 facets, a rose cut diamond has 24 facets. The number of facets along with the shallow cut makes rose cut diamonds sparkle a lot less.

These stones come in different shapes and sizes, though the most common shape is round. Other shapes include marquise, pear, and oval.

Smaller stones have significantly fewer facets than larger ones, with as few as three facets on the surface. Since jewelers usually cut these stones by hand, the facet size, shape, and position varies.

History

The first diamonds ever set into jewelry were kept very similar to their rough nature. Basically, the diamond was mined and chipped at. A jeweler may have polished or carved the edges before setting, but that was about it.

Eventually, diamond cutting evolved and the rose cut was developed. This new cutting technique produced diamonds that were much flashier and brighter than a rough diamond without much refinement. The first versions started with as few as three facets and grew in complexity over time.

As diamond cutters added more facets to the surface of the rose cut over the years, they discovered that diamonds have an innate ability to shine.

Historians speculate that rose cut diamonds gained their notoriety in the jewelry world around the 15th century and remained a favorite technique until the birth of the miner cut and the old European cut diamond in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Most of the antique jewelry on the market today with this diamond cut comes from the Georgian era. However, it’s important to note that because of the recent appreciation for this stone, many reproductions have flooded the market. Watch out!

Reasons to Buy

•  Rose cut diamonds seem to glow from within and offer large flashes of light that are beautiful in their own right.
• You can buy a much more substantial looking diamond for less money. Since the bottom is flat, a 6mm rose cut stone will weigh a lot fewer carats than a 6mm round brilliant cut stone.
• Low clarity and color grade diamonds look great when they are rose cut.
• There is a ton of historical significance that comes along with this diamond cut.
• Many if not most of these diamonds are hand cut, even the ones made today.

Did this guide help you learn more about rose cut diamonds? If there is anything we missed, let us know in the comments below. Also, check out some of our current favorites and link up some rose cut jewelry you’ve been admiring.