6 Points to Consider When Cutting Pear Diamonds

6 Points to Consider When Cutting Pear Diamonds

Looking for the best teardrop shaped engagement ring? So how do you get the best teardrop cut? By knowing what to look for! And definitely knowing what mistakes to avoid. And most of them are not even mentioned in the GIA report. Read on to learn how to spot problems with teardrops to make sure you get the best and only the best!

What is a pear cut diamond?

Pear cut diamonds are shaped like raindrops! Pear cut diamonds have rounded bases and pointed tips. Some Pear cuts are soft and full, while other Pear cuts are long and pointed! Since it is a "fancy" cut diamond, there is a huge variety in cut style when comparing Pears.

Fun fact: Feeling French? You can call your pear-shaped diamond engagement ring a Pendaloque cut!

Do pear diamonds have a cut grade?

GIA DOES NOT provide cut grades for fancy shapes like Pear Diamonds, so choosing Pear cuts can be a bit tricky. However, there are certain parameters that most of the jewelry industry agrees on .

These guidelines include a depth not exceeding 62%, a table not exceeding 62%, and no culverts.

Are teardrop shaped diamonds good?

Teardrop shaped diamonds sparkle so much and are rare! Only 4% of Diamonds in the world's commercial markets are Teardrop shaped in the market today.

This makes the Drop cut a unique choice! A blend of Round and Marquise, the Drop is the best of both worlds. You get the maximum brilliance of a Round, but the grander look and elegance of a Marquise!

Do teardrop diamonds shine?

Yep! Pear diamonds are “gorgeous” cut diamonds, meaning they have triangular and kite shaped facets all over. This means they sparkle like crazy! Since the bottom of the Pear is designed like a Round (the shape with the most sparkle), Pears get a great sparkle of brilliance.

How do I choose a teardrop diamond?

Choosing the best Pear shaped diamond means finding a diamond with even brilliance/contrast, even color, no dark bow ties, no weird reflections, and a soft and flattering shape! To do this, you’ll want to avoid some very common pitfalls. Pear cut diamonds are not graded by the GIA for cutting, so it’s important to learn some tips and tricks before you go shopping! Here are some of the most common problems we see with Pear shaped diamonds so you can avoid them!

Mistake #1: Washed Stones

Your teardrop engagement ring needs some contrast to sparkle! What is “contrast”? Contrast is the dark background you need to make your white and rainbow sparkle pop! Yes, you read that right, you actually want some dark areas on your diamond. The easiest way to think about contrast is to think about photography. Let’s say you’re taking a photo of a white flower. If you put the white flower on a white background, can you see the beautiful shiny detail of the white petals? Not at all. However, if you put the white flower on a dark background, all the beautiful shades of white will stand out brightly.

In a diamond, you want to have contrast (dark areas) and brightness (white areas) evenly spaced throughout the stone. Diamonds that don’t have enough contrast appear dull (sometimes called “dead”). On the other hand, stones with too much contrast appear too dark. So, striking the perfect balance between darkness and light is your goal.

Faded Fall-off (left) and evenly spaced contrast (right)

Mistake #2: Bow Ties on Teardrop Engagement Rings

But you don’t want concentrated, ugly globules of dark contrast that look like “bow ties” there. Likewise, you don’t want the water areas to be sparkleless! So watch out for bow ties. Bow ties occur when the angles of a diamond are slanted in a way that reduces the large triangular shadows and blocks the sparkle. It’s not pretty. And unfortunately, bow ties don’t show up on GIA reports. Luckily, bow ties are pretty easy to spot when you know what to look for. We’re here for you :))

Left to Right: Watery Bow Tie - Uniform Distribution - Dark Bow Tie (right)

Mistake #3: Colored Hints

Diamond color can be concentrated in pear shaped engagement rings; make sure your stone doesn’t have an odd color on the tip. Sometimes you can see more yellow/brown due to the faceting of a pear shaped diamond towards the tip. This is not a great look. So when looking at the color of a diamond, always look at it as a whole and compare! Is the center the same color as the tip? Or does the tip look yellow? Make sure to avoid any dark hints.

Mistake #4: Weird Reflections in Teardrop-Shaped Engagement Rings

In Pear Cuts, diamonds with improper angles can show "fisheye" or other strange reflections that diminish the value and beauty of the diamond. You want the sparkle of your diamond to be the main showpiece, not confusing reflections.

So, when looking for your perfect Pear Cut Diamond, be careful not to include any shattered glass looking inclusions or weird halo looking inclusions. These types of reflections mean the diamond is not cut well and will not sparkle as much.

Mistake #5: Blocky Outlines

Pear shaped diamonds should have soft and rounded bases, however some cutters try to preserve the weight by making the bases blocky. Blocky Pears do not retain the elegance and sparkle that softer Pears have. This is because a blocky base does not reflect as much light as a round one. So be sure to consider the outline of your Pear before making your selection! The bottom of your Pear should be soft and rounded. And your drop point should be gradual. Look for odd angles or extra weight and reject these stones!

Mistake #6: Not Considering the Length-Width Ratio

Finally, when looking for the best Pear shaped engagement ring, make sure you know whether you want a full Pear or a long Pear! The length to width ratio of a diamond refers to how wide or thin it is. Some people prefer a nice, long, thin Pear (very elegant!), while others like a nice, full Pear! There is no “right” length to width ratio. It’s all personal preference. However, these ratios can create very different looks! So make sure you find out which Pear style you prefer.

Should I buy a pear cut diamond?

If you are looking for a subtle shape that is a little more unique than the rest, then the Teardrop shaped engagement ring is for you! Teardrops sparkle beautifully, appear larger than similarly sized bullets, and are rarer than many other shapes. These are a beautiful engagement ring choice!

What does a drop-shaped diamond symbolize?

Teardrop shaped diamonds are romantic and symbolize tears of joy. As a result, they are a perfect choice for brides who love romantic comedies and emotion. I also set teardrop shaped diamonds in rings for nature lovers because the Teardrop cut resembles a leaf!

Are teardrop-shaped engagement rings popular?

Yes! Drop cuts have seen a surge in popularity over the last few years. However, they still remain a fairly rare shape to choose from. Some celebrities who wear drop-shaped solitaires include Anna Kournikova, Victoria Beckham, Katherine Heigl, and Khloe Kardashian.

Are teardrop shaped diamonds cheaper?

Yes! Pear cuts are less expensive than similar quality diamonds. This means you get more bang for your buck! This, along with the fact that pear shapes appear larger than round cuts of similar weight, means maximum value.

Which way do you wear a teardrop ring?

You can wear your teardrop shape in any direction you want, but the most popular orientation is the raindrop. However, newer avant-garde styles have seen their points reversed or even set crooked. Teardrops give you a great opportunity to showcase your unique personality!

Can you help me choose a teardrop shaped engagement ring?

Of course! I love teardrop cuts; I find them romantic and unexpected!