Rose-cut diamonds are warm and attractive, with a history dating back centuries. Like many other historic diamond shapes, they have gained in popularity in recent years as consumers seek distinctive and stunning alternatives to contemporary diamonds.
These diamonds were first created in the 16th century when gems were mainly measured and shaped by hand. Because of the rose cut’s history and the primitive technique used to manufacture it, it has a considerably simpler design than today’s brilliant-cut diamond.
Many people adore its simplicity, which contributes significantly to the rose cut’s allure and attractiveness. Of course, others appreciate contemporary diamonds’ more eye-catching looks. Whatever your thoughts are on the rose cut, one thing is certain: It’s an incredibly rare diamond cut these days.
In this article, we’ll talk about the rose-cut diamond’s history and how it differs from other historic and modern cuts. We’ll also mention some advantages – and disadvantages – of this cut and why you should potentially buy it.
Keep on scrolling to find out more!
History Of Rose Cut Diamonds
With a history stretching to the 16th century, the rose cut is one of the oldest diamond cuts that are still in demand today. Rose-cut diamonds are frequently found in jewelry from the Georgian and Victorian eras.
Rose-cut diamonds became less prevalent as other diamond cuts, such as the old European cut, gained favor in the nineteenth century. With the introduction of newer jewelry designs, the rose cut fell out of favor and was eclipsed by the popularity of brilliant-cut diamonds in the twentieth century.
And with the advancement of technology designed to bring out the full shine of the diamond, displaying brightness and fire in a stone became more valuable.
Jewelers attempted to duplicate some of this brightness in several antique jewelry settings by backing rose-cut diamonds with a thin coating of glittering metal foil to help reflect light back up to the crown.
Nevertheless, they’ve made a comeback in popularity – with numerous celebrities preferring rose-cut diamonds to contemporary ones.
What Is A Rose Cut Diamond?
A rose-cut diamond is a form of an ancient gem known for its domed top and many triangular facets placed in a rose-like design.
That’s how the cut got its name: When viewed from above, the facets cut into a rose-cut diamond’s surface mimic the petals of a rosebud, with each facet pointing outwards, towards the diamond’s edge, just like a rose petal from its stem.
The complexity of the rose pattern on these gems varies. Rose-cut diamonds can have as little as three facets – or as many as 24. In addition to their rose-like facet pattern, rose-cut diamonds have a more distinctive form than most contemporary diamonds.
Rose-cut diamonds don’t have a pavilion – unlike current diamond cuts, which have a huge pavilion (the pointed bottom part that gives the diamond depth). As a result, as compared to a brilliant-cut diamond, the lower half of a rose-cut diamond is comparatively flat.
When comparing the look of a rose-cut stone to that of a contemporary one, this variation in form has three important effects:
- Seems Bigger In Size – Rose cut diamonds seem bigger than other diamond shapes when viewed from above due to their flat form.
- A Low Profile – Rose cut diamonds have a modest profile due to their flat form. A rose-cut diamond will not protrude too far from its setting, making it the ideal sort of diamond to wear, especially for individuals who are quite active.
- Translucence – Because rose-cut diamonds lack a pavilion, their reflection is lower than that of a modern diamond. In comparison to the eye-catching brightness of many current diamond cuts, rose-cut diamonds have a more translucent, glass-like look.
The great number of rose-cut diamonds are spherical and have a symmetrical rose pattern. However, because the rose cut lacks a pavilion, this diamond-cut may also be created in a variety of different forms. You may typically encounter rose-cut diamonds in marquise, oval, cushion – and even pear shapes.
Rose Cut Diamonds Cutting Process
Unlike brilliant-cut diamonds, which have a conventional shape, each rose-cut diamond has a unique facet arrangement.
As a result, it necessitates a complex cutting technique that emphasizes the distinctive and inherent beauty of the initial uncut diamond. It might take many days to finish a single rose cut.
The initial stage is to determine not just the raw diamond’s quality but also its best form and facet pattern. The diamond is then tagged with a tiny marker and placed in a machine that produces a 3D scan of it prior to laser-cutting it into its original form (round, cushion, oval, etc.).
Next, the gem is examined by highly qualified diamantaires, who choose the ideal technique to facet it in order to enhance its beauty, weight, clarity, and color. The faceting method involves a machine with a metal and stone-spinning table covered with diamond dust.
Why diamond dust? It’s the only material strong enough to cut a diamond. After that, the diamond is put in a claw-like instrument that keeps it in position as it is pushed manually onto the revolving disk.
The 4 C’s Of A Rose Cut Diamond – Cut, Color, Clarity & Carat
The four C’s of diamonds (Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat) all contribute to a diamond’s beauty. The grades a diamond receives in these four areas provide an indication of its quality – and, as a result, the appropriate price you should be ready to spend.
- Cut: Represents facets, finishing touches, angles, and proportions of a diamond.
- Color: Represents how colorless one diamond is.
- Clarity: Represents how many imperfections and flaws are/aren’t in the diamond.
- Carat Weight: Represents the diamond’s weight.
These characteristics of a diamond are the most critical factors influencing its brilliance and form – and they all interact with one another. The 4 Cs determine the appearance of the diamond, as well as its quality.
Cut
The rose cut, like the cushion cut and its predecessor, the Old Mine Cut, was first created centuries before electricity – hence it was designed to appear best in candlelight. Cutters would generally make their final cut based on what worked best for each stone.
The majority of current rose cuts feature a flat bottom, no pavilion, and a domed top with 24 facets. The rose cut is similar to removing only the top section of a traditional diamond and keeping the bottom portion behind.
If we compare the rose cut to a modern brilliant diamond cut, we can see that the flat bottom actually allows a low setting that sits very close to the skin, while the traditional diamond sits much higher from the band.
Color
When it comes to color, rose-cut diamonds are far more adaptable than typical brilliant cuts. Warmer tones and alternate gem hues are wonderfully complemented by the domed top and delicate luster.
Rose cuts are commonly found in champagne, translucent white, grey, black, yellow tones, and the emerging preference of salt and pepper diamonds with inclusions that appear black and white.
Clarity
As we’ve already established, rose-cut diamonds lack a pavilion. In turn, the amount of light reflected off a diamond is far lower than that from oval, pear, or marquise cuts.
So, rose-cut diamonds have a more clear, glass-like sheen than most current diamond cuts. The stunning transparency of the stone will highlight (rather than conceal) any imperfections inside the gem.
Some people appreciate this characteristic because it gives the diamond a genuinely old feel and a lot of charm. There are no two same rose-cut diamonds; their imperfections are what distinguishes them.
Carat Weight
Rose-cut diamonds seem more prominent due to their shape. They might even appear larger in diameter than a round diamond of twice the carat weight.
Rose-cut diamonds, while accessible in a range of carat weights, are an uncommon type of diamond. They’re thought to account for barely 0.1% – 1 in 1000 – of contemporary cut gems, making this diamond-cut extremely distinctive and rare.
That shouldn’t deter you from purchasing a rose cut, but it should help you understand that it may take longer to obtain a gem with the qualities you want in the carat weight you desire.
The Price Of Rose Cut Diamonds
Due to the scarcity of rose-cut diamonds, price information is not as widely accessible as it is for more standard-cut diamonds.
However, it’s apparent that the cost of a rose-cut stone can vary depending on the diamond’s clarity, color, shape, size, and other factors, such as the demand for a particular type of rose-cut diamond.
How To Choose An Ideal Rose Cut Diamond
It’s all about concentrating on what you want from a rose cut diamond. If you want a completely clear rose cut, invest in a higher clarity grade because any flaws or defects will be relatively visible in the translucent cut.
On the other hand, if you love the look of antique and vintage jewelry, then embrace the character that each flaw gives.
Color is a matter of personal preference, too, as there aren’t any widely accepted industry standards that favor one color over another. Since the shape is recognized for its warmer tones and unusually colored stones, embracing some color in the diamond is a good idea.
Choose a shape based on the sort of settings you favor and your overall preference. The rose-cut diamond is actually a very versatile diamond shape and comes in various forms – including round, oval, square, hexagon, kit, rectangle, rounded square, and so many more.
With so many alternatives, it’s essential to narrow down your options before you begin your search.
How To Keep Rose Cut Diamond In Perfect Condition
Rose cuts are more susceptible to chipping than the standard round brilliant diamonds because they are shallower. Diamonds are famed for their durability – but they can chip due to a severe hit, break loose in a weaker setting, or be destroyed by contact with other diamonds.
So, consider a more secure setting, such as a halo or bezel setting.
To avoid scratches, keep it away from your other diamond jewelry. Also, wipe your ring using a lint-free cloth dampened with warm water, mild soap, and a gentle toothbrush. You can immerse it in a professional cleaning solution for a quick clean. Lastly, get your ring cleaned and the setting checked by a jeweler on a regular basis to ensure its longevity.
Learn More: Diamond Care: How To Take Care Of Your Diamonds
Rose Cut Vs. Brilliant Cut
Despite the fact that they’re both commonly round, rose cut diamonds and round brilliant cut diamonds have significantly more distinctions than similarities. These are some of them:
Flat Top Vs. Domed Top
The broad, flat table of a round brilliant cut allows light to penetrate the diamond. The table of a round brilliant cut gem contributes significantly to its brightness by allowing it to reflect a large quantity of light.
Rose-cut diamonds, on the flip side, have a rounded table. The rose cut has a domed top with several triangular facets (usually 3 to 24) set in a rose-like facet pattern.
Different Profiles
Rose-cut diamonds, as previously said, are extraordinarily flat. That means that they sit more flat in a setting than a round brilliant cut gem – which features a loftier profile and can sit high above its setting.
A rose-cut diamond combined with a bezel setting makes for one of the most low-profile ring designs possible.
Size Differences
As previously stated, the flat form of a rose-cut diamond can often make it seem bigger than a round brilliant-cut stone of the same carat weight. That’s due to its greater diameter.
Brilliance & Fire
The rose cut isn’t renowned for its brightness, as opposed to the round brilliant cut, which has great brilliance and fire. It has a crisper, more glass-like look that is less prone to draw attention.
They’re far more modest and subtle than round brilliant cut diamonds – which many people prefer.
Is Rose Cut Diamond Worth It?
Absolutely! No other cut has the same level of glitz and romanticism as rose cuts. Plus, as a vintage diamond cut, they are known for their traditional beauty and style.
Finally, choosing a rose-cut gives you a “larger look” for your money. If the rose-cut shape appeals to you, these are a good bang for your buck.
Rose Cut Diamond Pros & Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Appears larger | Less fire and sparkle than modern cuts |
| Countless different shapes | They are rare in the market |
| Eye-catching uniques, even with all the flaws | As they’re cut by hand, you’ll often find tiny imperfections |
| Low profile aids in a more active lifestyle | Lack of pricing information |
| The colors look great on it | – |
| More glass-like sheen than other diamonds | – |
Final Word
In the end, should you invest in rose cut diamonds? Well, it depends. It will not give you enough sparkle, that’s for sure – and it also won’t draw immediate attention.
But perhaps that’s exactly what you’re trying to avoid in an engagement ring. And if you’re looking for a unique, old-fashioned, and modest diamond shape – this is the perfect choice for you. In addition to its simplicity, it’s also a low-profile shape that won’t get in the way while doing your everyday chores.
Remember that, even though rose cut diamonds are often asymmetrical and happen to have a flaw here and there, there’s a great dose of beauty to them. The imperfections make them unique.
Because they’re hand-carved, there are no two same rose cut diamonds in the world, which significantly adds to their value even if they’re not as shiny and dazzling as the other modern brilliant cuts.
