Pear Shape Diamonds

Short Description

A diamond that is cut properly can be breath-taking. One popular cut of diamonds that many love is the pear shaped cut. The pear shape is a combination of the round and marquise brilliant cuts and usually has a facet brilliant pattern. Jewellers have gradually become taken with fancy cuts of diamonds as have the public. They used to be rare, but now they are more sought after than they were in the past.

Characteristics

Pear shaped diamonds are popular because they make a beautiful centre stone in a diamond engagement ring or in a diamond necklace, just to name a couple of uses. It usually has the 58 facet brilliant pattern, but can be cut with different numbers of pavilion mains of 8, 7, 6, or 4 facets. The teardrop shape has a round or oval shape on half the facet pattern whiles the other half resembles a marquise with the sides tapering to a point.  

History

In or around 1476, Lodewyk (Louis) van Berquem, a Flemish polisher of Bruges, introduced the technique of absolute symmetry in the disposition of facets using a device of his own invention, the scarf. He cut stones in the shape known as pendeloque or briolette; these were pear-shaped with triangular facets on both sides.

Some of the world's largest and most famous diamonds were cut in to the pear shaped brilliant cut. Perhaps, the most famous pear shaped diamonds is the Sun-Drop Diamond. It was found in South Africa in 2010 within a kimberlitic pipe. Tests show that the diamond was formed from 1 to 3 billion years ago. 

Buying Advice

Pear-shaped diamonds work great for pendants and drop earrings. We seek pear shaped diamonds with depth 57-65.4% and table 52-64%. Seek minimal bow tie effect. We recommend at least I colour and SI1 clarity for pear shaped diamonds.

Famous Pear Shaped diamond

Perhaps the most famous romantic diamond gift in modern times was the 69 carat Taylor-Burton pear-shaped diamond given by Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor.