It’s the thick of spring: The bees are buzzing, the rain is wetting, and the flowers are positivly blooming, most of all — roses. But what about the type of rose you can wear? No, we’re not talking about flower crowns, we’re talking rose cut diamonds. Both appealingly old school and sleekly modern, it seems that rose cut diamonds are all anybody can talk about on these balmy spring days. But what exactly is a rose cut diamond and why is it so unique? Garden sheers not necessary, today, we’re talking all things rose cut diamonds. Let’s get into it. 

 

WHAT IS A ROSE CUT DIAMOND? 

 

 

A rose cut diamond is a type of diamond that employs a (you guessed it) rose cut. ‘But wait!’, we can almost hear you say, ‘you just can’t describe something by saying the very thing you’re meant to be describing!’ Well, yes, and no, actually. See, the shape of a diamond is not always the same thing as its cut. For example, the shape of round brilliant diamonds is round. The cut is brilliant. Similarly, emerald cut diamonds have an emerald shape with a step cut. A diamond’s cut is its faceting pattern. Most commonly brilliant or step, but also (ding, ding, ding!) rose. 

 

So really, a rose cut diamond is just a diamond that has been faceted in the rose cut pattern. But what does that actually mean? What are the characteristics of a rose cut diamond? Most notably, rose cut diamonds have a round domed top and flat base. As their faceting pattern was inspired by the unfurling of a rose, rose cut diamonds feature distinctive triangle facets that appear to unfurl from the center of its domed top.  

 

ARE ROSE CUT DIAMONDS MORE EXPENSIVE? 

Quite the opposite actually, rose cut diamonds are one of the more affordable diamond cuts you can find. This comes down mostly to demand. At the end of the day, people tend to prefer the scintillating sparkle of a brilliant cut diamond over the soft, understated shimmer of a rose cut. 

What’s more, because rose cut diamonds tend to be more shallow thanks to their flat bottoms, they also tend to appear larger in face-up size than diamonds of different cuts. The buzzword here, diamond spread, definitely applies. 

But heads up. Not all rose cut diamonds will cost you pennies. They still are diamonds after all. Larger cuts with high grades can still set you back. And if you want an authentic, natural rose cut diamond it could cost you even more. This is because antique rose cut diamonds are rare. And as you well know, the rarer  the stone the higher the price. 

 

ARE ROSE CUT DIAMONDS LESS SPARKLY?

 

 

When comparing a rose cut diamond to a brilliant cut diamond the rose cut will appear less sparkly. But honestly, that’s like comparing apples to oranges. The rose cut was first developed wayyy back in the 1400s when diamonds were cut by hand and candlelight. The result? Light moves more readily through the stone instead of bouncing all over the place like brilliant cuts and instead of bright and blinding sparkles you get a soft, subtle, and oh-so-sexy shimmer. It’s like the high neck, open back dress of the diamond world. Unassuming at first but will always take your breath away. 

 

ARE ROSE CUT DIAMONDS VALUABLE? 

As we mentioned before, antique rose cut diamonds are old and we mean old. If you’re someone that values sentimentality, story, and the perseverance of small things to persist, you’ll most likely find lots of value in a rose cut diamond. However, just like other diamonds, rose cut diamonds don’t have a great resale value and don’t make a good investment. Think of diamonds more like a car that loses value the second you drive it off the lot and less like that Birkin bag that was just resold for 500x its original price. 

 

WHAT DOES A ROSE CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING MEAN? 

 

 

Rose cut diamonds have a variety of meanings and can hold deep symbolism. Like the flower it gets its name from, rose cut diamonds are said to embody everlasting romance and sensuality. Additionally, like the rose quartz, a rose cut diamond can help you remember to open your heart and move more presently through the world. 

 

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A MODERN AND ANTIQUE ROSE CUT DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING? 

 

 

Rose cut diamonds are still being cut today, though at a smaller rate. In fact, 1 in every 1000 diamonds is rose cut. And if you’ve got your heart set on an antique rose cut diamond engagement ring, you might be surprised to learn that not all rose cuts are antique. 

There’s the modern lab grown rose cut diamond of course, but then there’s also natural rose cut diamonds that have been cut in modern times with lasers. Or many antique rose cut diamonds have been recut to emphasize the rose cut and iron out any natural cutting imperfections. It’s a tragedy, right? So how can you tell the difference between an antique, natural  rose cut diamond and a modern cut rose cut diamond? There’s a pretty foolproof way…

 

ANTIQUE ROSE CUT DIAMONDS WILL SEEM A LITTLE WONKY 

Really. Remember, antique rose cut diamonds were cut by hand. So of course they may appear slightly different. Think a somewhat egglike shape with high crowns and lower color. And while some may call these diamonds not ideal, we think their imperfections are practically perfect. 

 

A ROSE CUT DIAMOND BY ANY OTHER NAME WILL STILL STUN EYES

 

 

While rose cut diamonds are still considered something of a niche interested in the engagement ring world, they’re quickly gaining appeal. And if you find yourself drawn to subtle shimmer, a unique faceting pattern, and a storied origin, the rose cut may be the perfect diamond for you. Ready to dive in? Browse unique rose cut diamonds and sapphires from Olivia Ewing Jewelry. Because yes, you can also get a rose cut sapphire. Discover our unique nature-inspired rose cut jewelry or design your own ring by mixing and matching ring settings with stones. Whatever you choose, your rose cut ring will be as stunning as, well- a rose in bloom.

 

 

Meet the Author: Olivia Ewing