Rose cut diamonds may not be as well-known as some of the more popular diamond cuts such as the brilliant cut, but they are equally beautiful.
Rose cut diamonds have been the symbol of romance for centuries and learning about the rich history of these diamonds provides insight on the different elements that shaped the modern jewelry industry.
The undulating subtle brilliance of rose cut diamonds has been one of the drivers for the re-emergence of this stone as designers move away from the traditional diamond sparkle to a more radiant and delicate brilliance.
The Georgian and Victorian Cut
Though rose-cut diamond jewelry can be traced back to as early as the 1500s, its popularity reached its peak in the Georgian and Victorian eras, which coincided with an increase in demand for diamonds in Europe. Most of the higher quality diamond antique pieces from this era feature rose cut diamonds that were cut with wider facets to shine brightly in candlelit and low lit rooms - a unique feature that the craftsman mastered in this era.
Facets and Depth Analysis
Rose cut diamonds are flatter than the standard brilliant cut, with fewer facets, and a larger surface area of each facet. In a brilliant cut diamond, the precise faceting and larger depth of the pavilion allows maximum light reflection within the diamond.
In contrast, rose cut diamonds have larger facets on the surface (crown) of the diamond which allows the light to glimmer in a distinctive manner, creating a lasting luster very different from that of a brilliant cut diamond. Being a flatter diamond, the rose cut tends to appear larger than the brilliant cut when you compare the two of the same carat weight.
Typically, the crown of a rose cut is dome shaped and has between 5 and 24 facets. These facets are most often found in two rows, having star facets in the center, which make up the top, and the same number of facets in the second row.
Rose cuts are more commonly round but can also be adapted into different sizes and shapes such as oval or pear-shaped, marquise, and even free form style shapes.
Transition from the Antique Rose Cut to the Modern Brilliant Cut
Old European and Old miner cut diamonds marked the transition from the rose cut to the round brilliant cut, as the cutter gradually experimenting with techniques to make the stone deeper, and even started faceting the pavilion. A transition can be seen when you analyze some aspects of the old European cut diamond, which while displaying larger facets, have considerable depth in the pavilion.
Diamond cutter aided by technology and science and the ever-growing diamond demand, started to make deeper stone, created distinct tables on the crown and even started focusing on uniformity and alignment of each facet.
Today the modern brilliant cut boasts precise in cutting and faceting, which attributes to unmatched the sparkle and luster that we witness. That being said, connoisseur still seek rose cut diamond because of their internal radiance and elegant subtle brilliant
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