Emerald cut
JewelryWiki Editorial·2 sources·Reviewed 2026-08-04
A step cut, not a brilliant. Concentric trapezoidal facets produce a hall of mirrors rather than sparkle — and show inclusions far more readily.
Properties
| Property | Value | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Cut style | Step [1] | — |
| Receives a GIA cut grade | No [1] GIA issues cut grades only for the standard round brilliant; all other shapes are fancy shapes and receive none. | — |
| Typical facet count | 58 — 25 on the crown, 32 on the pavilion, and the culet [2] Trade source. Fancy-shape facet counts are not standardised and published figures differ. | — |
| Optical character | Step cut: broad flashes from concentric trapezoidal facets, rather than the scintillation of a brilliant. [1] | — |
| What to watch for | Its open table hides nothing. Buy a higher clarity grade here than in a brilliant cut — inclusions that disappear in a round are plainly visible in an emerald. [1] | — |
Sources
- GIA — Guide to Diamond Engagement Ring Shapes — Gemological Institute of America (GIA 4Cs, Guide to Diamond Shapes)
- Trade sources on fancy-shape facet counts — Jewellery trade publishers (Trade facet-count references)