This shape often has the corners flattened or truncated because sharp corners become points of weakness where a diamond may fracture or cleave. The most common facet cutting is parallel to the girdle in steps, an application called a step or trap cut. This method was most commonly used to shape and polish emerald gemstones, thus it became known as the Emerald cut.
As opposed to a brilliant cut stone, a step cut does not have a culet, but a keel running the length of the pavilion termination. An Emerald cut stone is not as fiery or bright as a brilliant, due to a shallower crown and pavilion. The cut is designed to show off a diamonds clarity, luster, and whiteness. Choose the higher grades of color and clarity when looking to own an Emerald cut diamond.
The largest diamond ever discovered in the United States was in 1924 at the Crater of Diamonds National park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas, by W.O. Bassum. The original diamond weighed 40.23 carats and was cut twice, the result being a 12.42 carat Emerald cut diamond nicknamed “Uncle Sam”. When the Uncle Sam was sold in 1971, the price was $150,000.
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