| Everyone has heard the various phases about | | | | formation is cut away. Still many will produce at |
| diamonds. One is, "diamonds are forever" and | | | | least two fabulous diamonds. Fancier cuts such as |
| another "is diamonds are a girl's best friend". Movie | | | | the pear or marquise come from formations that |
| stars and entertainers have them adorning their | | | | have a more unusual shape. There is also the |
| necks and hanging from their ears. You can | | | | triple cut brilliant diamond that has 33 facets. The |
| always tell a newly engaged woman, because she | | | | original brilliant cuts had only 17 facets. |
| can't take her eyes off the diamond ring on her | | | | The original gem cutting tools were simple were |
| finger. Tennis bracelets are on many Christmas | | | | of a simple design. This changed during the 19th |
| lists and little girls impatiently wait for their first | | | | century when better tools were developed. This |
| pair of diamond stud earrings. | | | | also allowed the gem cutters to create more |
| Our fascination with the gorgeous gems have | | | | styles of diamonds and gems. Marcel Tolkowsky |
| spanned centuries. They symbolize both | | | | published a book called Diamond Design in 1919. |
| prosperity and love and come in different shapes | | | | The book detailed his innovative technique that |
| and sizes. They are worn in clusters or as a | | | | combined light and refraction with that of cutting |
| solitaire, with equal pride and are coveted around | | | | the diamonds. His book led to more advanced |
| the world. The most popular cuts used to be the | | | | cutting techniques, some of which allowed the full |
| emerald and the round cut. Now, designers are | | | | brilliance of diamond to come through in a dazzling, |
| creating their own patented cuts that present a | | | | fiery display. |
| whole new generation of styles. Some of these | | | | Today, it is not uncommon to see diamonds cut |
| cost in the hundreds and thousands of dollars and | | | | in the shapes of stars, animals and even insects. |
| are coveted by everyone who has a love of | | | | Other cuts such as the heart shaped cut, ovals, |
| these gems. | | | | trillions and pear shaped diamonds can be seen in |
| Even with all the new designs being offered, the | | | | many jewelry store cases, their brilliance luring all |
| round cut diamond remains the favorite. The | | | | who enter. Tiffany offers a diamond with their |
| diamond cut originated in Venice, during the 17th | | | | patented Lucida cut. Another patented diamond |
| century. Since raw diamonds come in varying | | | | cut is at least 3 carats and is oblong with rounded |
| shapes, the shape may determine the final cut of | | | | ends. It is named the Ashoka diamond and costs |
| the diamond. Round diamonds are cut from | | | | a fortune to own. No matter what the shape or |
| octahedron crystal formations. During the cutting | | | | size of the diamond, receiving one makes a |
| process, often more than 50 percent of the | | | | person feel special and loved. |