GLOSSARY OF TERMS

A term used to describe the cut of a stone, usually cut prior to 1910. They are characterized by having small tables, large culets and rounded outline with a high crown. They were cut so to produce optimal levels of fire, seen best in candlelight.

1700s – 1900. These stones are largely round in shape, have circular girdles, small tables, a heavy (or tall) crown and great overall depth.

1830s – 1900. These have more of a square or cushion shape in comparison to the Old European. It was an early version of the modern brilliant cut. They have a high crown, small table and large ‘open’ culet. The old mine cut was originally developed to sparkle its best in incandescent or candle light; the perfect evening accessory.

A black gemstone that occasionally has bands of white running through it. A variety of the chalcedony species of gemstone. Read more

A gemstone, whose name is derived from the Sanskrit ‘upala’ meaning ‘precious stone’. Opals can be plain in colour (common opal) or can display a phenomenon known as ‘play of colour’, whereby the gemstone shows flashes of colour, which appear and disappear when the stone is moved (precious opal). Read more

Cut with the same number of facets as a round diamond, an oval shape emits nearly the same level of brilliance and fire. Due to its elongated shape, the oval cut can appear larger than a round diamond of equal carat (weight).