Pear Cut Diamonds: The Perfect Cut for Exquisite Beauty
Are you looking for an unusual and beautiful diamond? The Pear cut is aptly named as it's in the shape of a pear or teardrop. As one of the rarer diamond cuts on the market, pear-cut diamonds are perfect for those who want a unique and beautiful ring.
Though the shape has been around for centuries, it's one of the lesser-known diamond cuts. However, thanks to its flattering shape, large surface area, and brilliance, it's a unique and tasteful option for an engagement ring. Plus, pear-cut diamonds are significantly cheaper than the more popular round cut, making it a great budget-friendly option. We'll go over the ins and outs of the pear-cut diamond, including its history and buying tips. Additionally, we'll cover popular settings that suit the pear cut so you can find a beautiful ring that fits your style.
What Is the Pear Cut Diamond?
This type of cut has a unique shape with a rounded bottom and a pointed top. It's a mix of round and marquise cuts, so you'll find appealing attributes like dazzling brilliance and a flattering elongated shape.
The length-to-width ratio varies between pear-cut diamonds, so you might find a cut that's short or long. However, ideal pear cuts will generally have a length-to-width ratio between 1.55 and 1.70. When pear cuts have a lower ratio, they will be shorter and wider. But if they have a high ratio, they'll resemble the marquise cut due to their long shape.
What Is the History of the Pear Cut?
The pear cut has been around for hundreds of years, dating all the way back to the 1400s. During this time period, Lodewyk van Bercken invented the scaif (diamond polishing wheel). With this new invention, he was able to cut fully symmetrical facets into rough stones. After the invention of the scaif, diamond cutters would be able to create more complex cuts. Shortly after his invention, he created the first pear-shaped diamond.
Since the fifteenth century, diamond cutters have looked for ways to maximize the pear cut's sparkle and brilliance. Today, diamond cutters have tried out different length-to-width ratios to alter its sparkle. However, the number of facets (58) has remained unchanged since it was first created.
Though it's not one of the most popular cuts available, pear-cut diamonds make beautiful options for all kinds of jewelry. Many people fall in love with its unusual shape and high levels of brilliance, fire, and sparkle.
What Settings Look Best With a Pear Cut?
Pear-cut diamonds are a stunning and unusual shape, so they typically look best as a single center stone. They are also versatile and look good when paired with other types of settings. However, when picking out your setting, you'll need to carefully consider the tip. Since the pear cut features a pointed tip, you'll need a setting that can protect this edge from chips and scratches. A prong set at the edge of the tip will be enough to protect this edge of the stone from any damage.
Solitaire
One of the most popular settings for pear diamonds is the solitaire. With this option, you'll keep the focus solely on the pear diamond. Thanks to its unusual beauty and sparkle, opting for this type of setting will still be a unique style statement.
Bezel
The bezel setting has a thin metal band wrapped around the edges of the stone. It works particularly well with the pear cut because it can protect its vulnerable pointed tip edge. However, you'll need to pay careful attention to the symmetry of the stone, as this setting can highlight any inconsistencies.
Pave
If you're looking for a ring with a bit more subtle brilliance, the pave setting is perfect. Romantic and delicate, this style has small diamonds set into the band, offering extra sparkle. The small diamonds also won't pull focus from the unique pear diamond, which makes the pave setting a popular choice.
Halo
If you're interested in a glamorous option, the halo setting is perfect for you. With this option, small diamonds will encircle the pear-shaped center stone, adding more brilliance and surface area. If you're on a budget but want to give the illusion of a big ring, opting for a halo setting will help make the stone appear larger.
Vintage
Because of its long history, pear shapes typically invoke a vintage look and feel. It pairs well with vintage settings that have ornate details. Though your pear diamond may be new, you can choose setting elements that help with the vintage feel. Opting for features like colored gemstones, mixed metals, accent diamonds, and engravings can help you achieve the vintage look you want.
What Should You Look for When Buying a Pear Cut?
The pear shape is an unusual and beautiful diamond option. However, you should be aware of a few factors while you shop to ensure that you choose the best possible option. One of the main concerns when choosing a pear cut is ensuring that the bowtie effect (darkened discoloring in the middle part of the stone) isn't too visible. You'll also need to carefully consider its color and symmetry. Like a lot of other fancy-shaped diamonds, the pear cut shows color easily, so you'll need to opt for a high color grade. You'll also need to consider the proportions and symmetry of each individual stone, as they may vary.
Pear-cut diamonds are a beautiful and unique option for an engagement ring. If you want a diamond that stands out from the typical round cut, the pear cut has the gorgeous brilliance and sparkle needed for a center stone. Though it has a vintage feel due to its long history, it pairs well with modern or simple settings. If you're ready to start shopping for diamonds, we have a selection of beautiful diamonds, including pear cuts.