The Full Information to French Reduce Diamonds
Radiating with the glamour of the roaring twenties and class of European aristocracy, French lower diamonds attraction to these in search of timeless class, subtlety, and genuine magnificence in a world of overconsumption and mass manufacturing. In case you are in search of one thing extra distinctive with quite a lot of historical past behind it, this information is for you.
Understanding French Reduce Diamonds
Typically neglected in favor of extra extensively recognized cuts, French lower diamonds don’t obtain as a lot highlight as they deserve. However that’s what makes them each charming and intriguing on the identical time. Let’s first discover some fundamental details about their origin and traits earlier than shifting on to the kinds and shapes.
The Identify
Whereas the precise origin of the title “French lower” isn’t documented, it’s simple to imagine it has one thing to do with France. You may envision a well-known French jeweler developing with the lower through the peak of Parisian vogue. Nonetheless, the story is a little more nuanced.
The origin of this lower dates far again to the 14th century and its predecessor – the desk lower. Nonetheless, it wasn’t till the seventeenth century that the lower, in a kind nearer to what we acknowledge right now, exploded in reputation amongst European the Aristocracy. It was particularly appreciated among the many French who enormously valued the fantastic craftsmanship and luxurious mirrored on this lower. Its revival through the Nineteen Twenties and the Artwork Deco interval more than likely solidified the title, tying it again to France and the place the place this lower was cherished probably the most.
The Traits
It’s not simple to confuse French-cut diamonds for different gems as a consequence of their distinctive form and association of aspects. They arrive in sq. and rectangular shapes and have fewer, bigger aspects, in contrast to the standard sensible cuts with many small aspects. The crown aspects characteristic a mixture of triangular and kite-shaped aspects, organized in a step-like sample whereas the pavilion aspects are sometimes triangular.
This distinctive aspect association provides French cuts their attribute look and a softer, extra delicate brilliance. In comparison with the traditional spherical sensible lower’s intense, showstopping brilliance resembling a bone hearth, the French lower produces a way more delicate sparkle, paying homage to a gentle candlelight glow.
The Creation
The French lower stemmed from one of many oldest diamond-cutting methods – the desk lower – and advanced into a definite lower with its personal traits.
Creating the specified symmetry and the optical impact of French lower diamonds requires talent and precision.
To create this lower, the jeweler grinds the diamond’s pure crystal construction. The aim is to create a flat floor on the high. A table-like floor, because the title suggests. From there, the jeweler fastidiously creates a selected aspect association.
The highest of the crystal will get polished down. The remaining pure aspects – already on their approach to symmetry – get barely refined. Subsequent, the diamond is formed right into a sq. and the underside is lower into 4 even aspects. The exact quantity and association of those aspects are important to the distinctive look of this lower and its distinctive interplay with mild.
The Historical past of French Reduce Diamonds
As talked about, the French lower advanced from one of many oldest diamond-cutting methods. This implies we’re centuries of historical past. Let’s begin initially.
The 1400s: The Beginning of the Desk Reduce
It’s the 1400s.
Europe is on the point of the Renaissance – a time of latest concepts, innovation, and creativity. Throughout all these modifications diamonds are shortly turning into a serious image of wealth. Nonetheless, the diamonds of this period aren’t lower just like the diamonds we all know right now. At this level, they’re nearer to tough stones than a woman’s greatest good friend.
The creation of a flat desk on the highest of the stone, generally known as the desk lower, modifications every part.
Within the centuries that adopted, cutters grew to become extra daring and began including extra aspects to the crown and pavilion. This sluggish and iterative course of laid the muse for the event of extra complicated cuts, together with the rose lower and, a lot later, the French lower.
The seventeenth Century: The Rise of the French Reduce
It’s now the seventeenth century.
Diamonds have gone from uncommon finds to must-have equipment and symbols of wealth and standing. However this doesn’t diminish the European the Aristocracy’s need for them. Quite the opposite, this improve in demand and recognition solely evokes them to hunt extra distinctive and thrilling diamond cuts.
And identical to that, the French lower has change into the pattern in jewellery, extending past diamonds to different treasured stones like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds.
The twentieth Century: The French Reduce within the Highlight
We transfer ahead a bit extra to the twentieth century.
The French lower, although considerably forgotten alongside the best way, is now able to make a comeback. And through the Nineteen Twenties, it does simply that – it reclaims its place within the highlight.
This revival has every part to do with Artwork Deco, a motion within the ornamental arts and structure that’s in vogue right now. Visible traits of Artwork Deco, akin to clear traces, sharp angles, and geometric types, resonate completely with the French lower’s distinctive appears.
The Historical past Continues: The French Reduce At present
Quick ahead to right now.
Conventional French lower diamonds at the moment are uncommon. You’ll solely discover a couple of variations nonetheless being made, and most of them have trendy twists.
And but, French lower diamonds have gotten in style as soon as once more. You’ll discover them in additional engagement rings and eternity bands. This lower appears attractive with diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires. You possibly can set it vertically or horizontally in platinum, gold, or rose gold. It’s just too versatile – and delightful – to be left previously.
Nonetheless, this doesn’t imply the French lower is on the peak of its reputation. You’ll not often discover it in these in style superstar ring roundups. However this makes French lower diamonds much more particular. Not everybody has them.
A couple of stars have acknowledged this stunning lower for what it’s, although. Justin Timberlake proposed to Jessica Biel with a six-carat magnificence with French lower facet diamonds. Maroon 5’s Adam Levine was subsequent. His fiancée Behati Prinsloo additionally obtained a surprising engagement ring with French lower facet stones. A real nod to the Artwork Deco period.
The French lower additionally stayed in style within the aristocratic circles. Woman Kitty Spencer, the late Princess Diana’s niece, is a testomony to this. She sported a stunning platinum engagement ring with the French lower. Although, in her case, they weren’t French lower diamonds however rubies.
French Reduce Diamonds At present: Sorts and Shapes You Can Discover
French lower diamonds have modified over centuries. That’s why they arrive in several shapes and kinds right now. Let’s begin with the shapes.
The Completely different Shapes of French Reduce Diamonds
The core traits of French lower diamonds all the time keep the identical. Nonetheless, the form of the desk doesn’t. Listed below are the three most typical shapes of French lower diamonds.
The Sq.
The sq. desk is the commonest form you’ll come throughout. It’s what most individuals image once they hear “French lower.” As you’ll be able to most likely guess, the desk appears sq. from above. Now, let’s be trustworthy, there’s nothing notably thrilling a couple of sq.. The thrill comes from the nook aspects. Collectively, these resemble a four-pointed star, and that’s the place the magic occurs.
The Rectangle
The oblong-shaped French lower bids symmetry “au revoir.” Because of the oblong desk, your entire diamond appears longer and slimmer. As a bonus, its edges can generally be barely uneven. Plus, the lower has a slight tilt. Individually, these modifications don’t imply a lot however collectively, they add simply sufficient unpredictability to shake issues up. This makes the rectangle desk nice for individuals who like extra uncommon designs.
The Octagon
An octagonal desk has eight sides, however this isn’t the one attention-grabbing half about this form. The nook aspects are additionally extra playful. They don’t cease at their traditional level. As an alternative, they department out in additional instructions. Consequently, the diamond has extra surfaces that may catch the sunshine.
The Completely different Forms of French Reduce Diamonds
The common-or-garden beginnings. The height reputation. The full obscurity. French lower diamonds have skilled all of it. That’s why now you can discover them in 4 distinctive sorts. And none of those are your typical “purchase off the shelf” choices.
Vintage French Reduce Diamonds
Few jewelers work with French lower diamonds right now. So, as an alternative of trying at the moment, it’s best to attempt your luck previously.
Vintage French lower diamonds – from the Artwork Deco period or earlier – present the superb craftsmanship of the previous. These diamonds aren’t excellent. Fairly the opposite. They’re typically uneven and jagged as a consequence of how easy the slicing instruments had been again then. However that is what makes them so fascinating. Carrying them is like proudly owning a bit of historical past.
Recycled French Reduce Diamonds
Most French lower diamonds right now are recycled. This implies they’re constructed from already lower stones – often baguettes and princess cuts.
At first, these appear like the actual factor, as they’ve that distinct form however their optical properties can differ, as slicing of processed gems gained’t obtain the identical reflection and class. In the event you’re acquainted with the standard French lower, you’ll be able to simply spot recycled cuts. They’ve a deep desk preserved from the beforehand polished gems. The higher bevels are shallower and unable to replicate mild in addition to they might on the standard French lower.
Nonetheless, when you just like the distinctive form of a French lower diamond, recycled gems are an excellent choice. They’ll actually value you lower than the actual deal.
Per-Order French Reduce Diamonds
Say you desire a new French lower diamond. And never simply any diamond – the actual factor. If that’s the case, your only option is to have one lower only for you.
Per-order French lower diamonds are constructed from scratch, following the precise proportions and geometry of the unique lower. The jeweler cuts them historically in each approach. Every thing – all the way down to the angles – must be proper.
Unsurprisingly, it is a time-consuming course of. Nonetheless, it’s the one approach to assure the standard and authenticity of your French lower diamond.
French Reduce Aspect Diamonds
Not everyone seems to be looking for a big French lower centerpiece. Many admire the delicate geometric sparkle of French cuts as accents in engagement rings, eternity bands, and different jewellery.
Whereas platinum settings and pairings with bigger heart stones are widespread selections, French lower facet diamonds can be superbly included into gold and rose gold alongside a spread of gem stones. And whereas these diamonds may be smaller, their impression actually isn’t.
Why Select French Reduce Diamonds?
French lower diamonds could require a bit extra analysis and funding however their distinctive magnificence and character make them properly value it. Right here’s why French lower is value your time, effort, and cash.
Simplicity
True magnificence typically lies in simplicity, and French lower diamonds are an excellent instance of this precept. They exude class, readability, and an innate sense of steadiness. They’re identical to French vogue – easy and glossy, but extremely refined.
A Distinctive Look
Diamonds have not too long ago change into slightly extra… generic. You both have the blinding sparkle of a princess lower or the delicate shimmer of a step lower. French lower diamonds strike a steadiness. Their distinctive faceting creates a chunky mild return that feels each old style and up to date on the identical time. Moreover, French lower diamonds typically seem bigger than different diamond cuts of the identical carat weight as a consequence of their massive floor space.
Distinctive Optical Play of Gentle
French lower diamonds don’t simply sparkle. They’re mini-illusionists. Their aspects bounce and scatter mild unpredictably, particularly once you place a number of diamonds collectively. As you progress, the reflection does, too.
A Masterpiece of Craftsmanship
As of late, it’s all about getting issues completed quick. Quick vogue, mass manufacturing, and quickly altering developments. Not each jeweler can create French lower diamonds, as they’ll require specialised talent and meticulous consideration to element. You gained’t discover these diamonds on an meeting line. They’re artworks and a testomony to the enduring worth of workmanship.
A Piece of Historical past, Reimagined
Proudly owning an vintage French lower diamond is like holding a bit of historical past – one which connects old-world craftsmanship and timeless class.
A Uncommon Discover
Excessive-quality French lower diamonds are more durable to supply. They don’t seem to be so extensively produced due to some info – they don’t seem to be as in style because the spherical sensible lower diamonds, which account for over 70% of diamonds bought globally, not all tough diamond crystals are ideally fitted to the French lower, and, as talked about earlier than, not all jewelers have the required expertise wanted to provide them. Now, you’ll be able to see this as a draw back, as it is going to take you extra time to search out one. Nonetheless, their rarity also needs to excite you. Events like weddings and engagements deserve diamonds that may’t be present in simply any jewellery retailer.
How Do French Reduce Diamonds Examine to Different Cuts?
French lower diamonds are so distinctive that they solely ever get in comparison with one lower – the princess lower. Right here’s an outline of their similarities and variations.
French Reduce vs. Princes Reduce: The Comparability
The place to Discover French Reduce Diamonds
French lower diamonds may be uncommon as a result of specialised slicing expertise wanted to provide them and the area of interest market all for them, however they aren’t unattainable to search out. Right here’s the place to look.
Specialised Jewellery Shops
Say you’re in search of a conventional French lower diamond – one from the Artwork Deco period. If that’s the case, specialised jewellery shops are your only option. Excessive-end vintage jewellery retailers are prone to have these gems.
Auctions and Licensed On-line Sellers
Because of the web, discovering French lower diamonds is way simpler. On-line auctions and trusted sellers are nice locations to begin. Simply be sure you purchase from those that present correct documentation.
Gem Cutters
A gem cutter is the best way to go if you would like a really customized French lower. They’ll create a diamond based mostly in your precise preferences – from the desk form to the crown peak. Some U.S.-based gem cutters even supply this service on-line.
On-line Marketplaces
Platforms like eBay and Amazon supply a wide range of recycled French lower diamonds. This makes them nice for consumers on a price range.
How one can Look after French Reduce Diamonds
To maintain your French lower diamond jewellery trying its greatest, observe these care ideas.
Contact an Knowledgeable on French Reduce Diamonds
Searching for French lower diamonds? Our consultants at Property Diamond Jewellery can information you thru the choice course of and show you how to discover beautiful items like the Chadwell Ring and the French lower Diamond Wedding ceremony Band.
Contact us right now – we’d love to help you.
