How is an Emerald Cut
An emerald’s cut is the main factor apart from the color that determines it’s value and beauty. Emerald is a durable gemstone but is also one that can be fashioned into a variety of shapes and carat sizes. Various factors are considered when crafting an emerald from a rough deposit. Emeralds nowadays are typically cut using technology-enabled cutting which ensures precision and beauty. Rough emeralds come in many shapes and sizes. Some are found within a mineral, while others have separated from rock, and are found their alluvial form (smooth like a pebble). Once extracted from mineral, various considerations are taken into account to produce a high-quality emerald.
Shape and Carat
Emeralds can be cut into a variety of shapes. Common shapes include cushion, round, emerald, and princess. Emeralds are fashioned into all the popular diamond shapes. However, the primary difference is that emeralds have a heavier carat weight at the bottom of the gem. This means that the top facet and millimeter size will look slightly smaller than a diamond of the same carat weight. Emeralds are cut in calibrated sizes according to their shapes. These common sizes enable jewelers to craft jewelry designs with widely accepted sizes of emeralds. Learn more about Emerald Shapes.



An emerald cutter will look at the overall shape of the rough stone to understand what is the best kind of shape that can be crafted from it. The goal is to create a shape that avoids wastage and utilizes the maximum amount of the rough gemstone. Round emeralds are popular but can carry a higher premium as they create more rough wastage when being produced.
Other shapes like emerald and cushion are commonly used to craft engagement rings. Emeralds are also popularly cut in the namesake emerald shape, the structure of the emerald crystal lends itself well to being cut in the emerald shape. This cut also creates the least amount of wastage and gives stability to this softer gem. Additionally, emeralds have a deep and rich green color that is shown off beautifully by the open facet of the emerald gemstone.
Emerald Brilliance
Emerald brilliance is the amount of life or sparkle that it can exhibit as it is tilted and viewed from different angles. An emerald cutter will ensure that the emerald has even faceting, and sparkle that comes alive due to the precise cutting. While an emerald does not sparkle as much as a diamond, it does have a pleasing sparkle that is created with the presence of light reflecting inside of the emerald. When light penetrates the emerald, a well-cut emerald with symmetrical facets will reflect light out. This will create flashes of brilliance, especially as the emerald is turned from side to side.
