- A pear shaped diamond conjures up images of engagements, love, and possibly even fruit, but do we really know what a pear shaped diamond is? Technically it is a slang term, meaning tapered at the top and round on the bottom, obviously deriving its name from its resemblance to a pear. The diamond has a very unique shape that also resembles a teardrop, making the jewelry possibilities endless.
The pear shaped diamond, also called a pendeloque, is actually a combination of the Round Brilliant cut and a Marquise cut. The reason it is usually cut into this shape is to retain its maximum weight. The pear shaped diamond, even two at the same weight, can vary slightly in shape making it a very unique jewel.
Diamond cutting has been around since the middle ages, before diamonds were actually used for jewelry. At first it started as simple polishing, to remove uneven or blemished facets of the diamond. Around 1476 Louis van Berquem became the first known person to cut a diamond into a pendeloque shape. Throughout the years many other shapes emerged but the pear shaped diamond has remained popular especially for pendants and earrings.
The world’s largest pear shaped diamond is the Cullinan I, also known as the Star of Africa. It weighs in at a hefty 530.2 carats, and is the largest cut diamond made from rough stone. It is currently now in the head of the royal scepter in the British crown jewels. The pear shaped diamond is considered exquisite and elegant, and has been described by many to be the “Teardrop of the Gods”.
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