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Baguette diamonds are slim, rectangular-shaped diamonds with an elongated profile and right-angled corners.
By comparison, Emerald cuts feature flattened polished corners.
Both styles present a terraced arrangement of facets, which is far simpler than the popular brilliant style of faceting.
Our diagrams show both cuts with Baguette (left) and Emerald cut (right).
Our guide explains the differences using photographs and videos to highlight the differences between these two beautiful gemstone cuts.
Baguette-cut (left) and Emerald-cut (right) facet diagrams.
Step cut elegance
Baguette and Emerald cut diamonds look very similar. Both diamond styles feature simple step-cut facets. Similarly, both possess a rectangular shape.
Baguette-cut diamond or Emerald cut – Which would you choose?
Both cuts offer a subtle sparkle compared to brilliant cuts. Both Emerald cuts and Baguette cuts have less brilliance but plenty of flash and fire.
When it comes to the shape, Baguettes feature pointed corners. In contrast, Emerald cuts have wedge-shaped polished corners. Typically, emerald-shaped diamonds exist in larger sizes.
Origin of the name ‘Baguette.’
In French, the word Baguette translates into “rod” or “stick.” However, another interpretation comes from Randle Cotgrave’s 1673 French and English Dictionary. In this edition, the meaning of “a little jewel appears.” The French word “bague,” meant “jewel” at the time and today, “ring.”
What is the difference between an emerald-cut engagement ring and an Emerald engagement ring?
Take care when referring to Emerald engagement rings. Don’t mistake an Emerald ring for an emerald-cut engagement ring. Here, we refer to the Emerald cut, not the green Emerald gemstones used for Emerald rings. In our recent post, we looked specifically at Emeralds and their association as a birthstone for the month of May.
Are emerald-cut diamonds more popular?
Yes. Absolutely. This popular gemstone aces the baguette cut. In fact, its popularity ensures a plentiful supply of natural and lab-grown diamonds suitable for a wide range of budgets.
Do Baguette diamonds sparkle?
Baguette-cut diamonds do not sparkle like the classic round brilliant cut sparkles. Just like Emeralds, the Baguette produces subtle flashes of light with more fire than brilliance. Fire describes the division of natural light into a rainbow of colours.
Availability of baguette-cut diamonds
More Emerald-cut diamonds are cut and available in circulation for both natural and lab-grown options. At the same time, smaller baguette diamonds are easier to source than tiny Emeralds for shoulder and side stones.
Small baguettes alternating with round diamonds in a channel setting
Baguette-Cut Engagement Rings (left) and Emerald-Cut ring designs (right)
Buying a Baguette diamond or an Emerald step-cut diamond.
What do you look out for when buying both diamond shapes? There are two important details to consider: the proportions of the diamond and its clarity.
Diamond proportions
First of all, proportions are very important. Find a balance between length-to-width ratios.
Choose a length 1.5 – 1.75 times the width. At the same time, look for a nicely proportioned diamond. Thin Baguette stones rarely suit solitaire engagement rings.
How many facets do Baguette diamonds have?
The number of diamonds on a baguette cut varies depending on the size of the diamond. Including the table facet, most baguettes have 25 facets.
The large diamond in our video has 33 facets. 13 facets on the crown including the table. At the same time, 20 facets on the pavilion.
Interestingly, many sources make note of 14 facets. But, even smaller baguettes have an uneven number of facets, including the table facet.
Diamond clarity
Next, consider the clarity. Choose VS1 clarity or above for your step-cut diamond. Below this clarity grade, inclusions become visible. In contrast, brilliant-cut diamonds disguise small inclusions.
Small inclusions appear more visible within a step-cut diamond. For this reason, VS1 clarity ensures inclusions remain invisible to the eye.
Few buyers enjoy a diamond with noticeable inclusions. If, however, your budget allows a greater leap, opt for VVS diamond clarity for a Baguette or Emerald cut.
Types of Baguette cut and Emerald cut diamond jewellery
The following are some of the types of jewellery set with a baguette. Interestingly, baguette cuts are more suited to smaller diamonds—cut for eternity rings and diamond shoulders.
The Aquamarine set into the above ring is edged by smaller baguette-cut diamonds.
Types of Baguette diamond ring
One of our most popular types of baguette diamond ring features a solitaire baguette set into a chamfered bezel setting. We source each baguette individually.
Modern Baguette solitaire ring ‘Brook’ design.
Art Deco and the Baguette cut diamond
Art Deco jewellery is inspired by the styling of the 1920s and 1930s. Popular motifs and geometric shapes feature strongly. For example, we created the Deco design with a fan-shaped pattern on the ring.
This popular ring design uses small baguette-cut diamonds on either side of a Square or princess-cut diamond. In addition to Baguettes and Art Deco motifs, some designs feature beadwork, also called Milgrain.
What are tapered Baguette diamonds?
Tapered baguette diamonds are often featured in rings as accent stones. They differ from straight baguette cuts.
One end narrows or tapers towards the opposite end. For this reason, the term ‘Tapered baguette’ applies to any such diamonds.
We typically measure baguette-cut diamonds by length x width. Tapered baguettes feature a length and two widths. For example, we stock 4 x 2mm baguettes, whereas we stock 4 x 2 x 1.5mm tapered baguettes.
Tapered baguette diamonds work very well as side stones on either side of an Emerald diamond. When used as a centre stone, an emerald matches perfectly. Other suitable cuts include Trapezoids.
Other uses include matching sets added to Ballerina rings. Ballerina rings are cluster ring designs modelled on the shape of a ballerina’s tutu. A fan-shaped arrangement of straight or tapered baguette diamonds encircles a centre stone with the grace, harmony and styling of a Ballerina in motion.
Baguette vs Tapered Baguette
The video and images below compare a Baguette cut with a Tapered Baguette diamond. Both types appear in diamond shoulders. Interestingly, tapers, as we sometimes call them, rarely appear in large sizes. Instead, they make popular side-stones used in trilogy engagement rings.
Large Tapered Baguettes demand very high prices, especially in pairs. Tapered baguettes are almost always cut into pairs, specified as a total weight for the pair.
Total weight of Baguette and Tapered Baguette Diamonds
Two examples of the total weights compared can be seen below.
4 x 2mm baguette-cut diamonds – approx. 0.25cts total diamond weight
4 x 2 x 1.5mm baguette-cut diamonds – approx 0.18cts total diamond weight.
Emerald-cut diamond engagement rings
Emerald diamond engagement rings come as solitaire designs—set with one diamond. Alternatively, trilogy rings feature an arrangement of three diamonds.
Finally, Halo engagement rings are popular engagement rings. Smaller diamonds surround the central Emerald cut. You can view various designs of emerald-cut halo rings online.
Kiera is a very popular diamond halo ring design. In detail, this photograph shows a 1-carat main diamond.
Emerald diamond pendants
Emerald cuts look amazing, set into diamond pendants. Diamond accents enhance the look of an emerald-cut diamond.
Baguette cuts in diamond eternity rings
Baguette-cut stones are often featured within diamond eternity rings. For example, one of our latest fusion diamond rings splits into two identical rings. The Cleopatra ring design has a stepped arrangement fitting together as one ring.
Emerald cut eternity rings
Emerald cuts do not exist in tiny sizes, so smaller wedding rings feature Baguette diamonds. For this reason, most Emerald cut diamond eternity rings feature slightly bigger diamonds. Our example below shows a half-eternity ring set with 5 x Emerald-cut diamonds, claw-set into the ring.
Bespoke Emerald-cut half eternity ring set with 5 x matching Emerald cut diamonds.
Baguette wedding bands
Baguette diamond suit channel and bar settings.
But, remember, ring sizing can be very tricky when it comes to eternity rings and wedding rings.
The photograph provides an idea of the appearance of White Gold or Platinum.
The post A Guide to Baguette Diamonds vs Emerald Cut Diamonds appeared first on Serendipity Diamonds Blog.