The Timeless Allure of Rose Cut Diamonds: A Deep Dive into Their Enchanting History and Charm

Rose Cut Diamonds

“The handcrafted facets of antique diamonds interplay with light, creating a unique visual experience, while vintage enthusiasts are particularly drawn to their warm and sparkling charm.”


Rose Cut Diamonds

A Rose Cut diamond’s most distinctive feature is its flat bottom and domed top, covered with triangular facets. The number of these facets can range from 3 to 24, with a single point at the very top. This is where the “rose” in its name comes from; the facets are said to resemble the petals of a rose bud in bloom.

Left: Modern brilliant full-cut diamond; Right: Rose Cut diamond
Left: Modern brilliant full-cut diamond; Right: Rose Cut diamond

The Rose Cut concentrates all of the carat weight presentation at the top. This means that when viewed from above, a Rose Cut diamond appears larger than a full-cut diamond of the same carat weight. While initially common in round shapes, they later developed into oval, pear, marquise, and free-form shapes.

Georgian-style foil-backed Rose Cut diamond brooch
Georgian-style foil-backed Rose Cut diamond brooch

History of Rose Cut Diamonds

The Rose Cut originated in the 16th century and was widely used during the Georgian and Victorian eras. Like other antique diamond cuts, Rose Cuts were hand-cut and designed to sparkle in candlelight. Their large, broad facets perform beautifully in low-light conditions.

Rose Cut diamond ring, set in silver-topped gold, circa mid-20th century
Rose Cut diamond ring, set in silver-topped gold, circa mid-20th century
Pear-shaped Rose Cut diamond earrings with foil backing, circa mid-20th century
Pear-shaped Rose Cut diamond earrings with foil backing, circa mid-20th century

The shape of the original diamond crystal influences the cut shape of the diamond. Diamond cutters strive to preserve as much of the diamond’s carat weight as possible. In fact, when examining an antique Rose Cut diamond, one often finds that the diamond’s perimeter follows the shape of the crystal rather than forming a perfect circle.


Suitable Gemstones

Cold light is not necessary for Rose Cut diamonds. Their cutting style is equally suitable for warmer-colored gemstones such as blue, black, champagne, fluorescent pink, and even opaque colors.

The unique shape and faceting of Rose Cut diamonds give them a softer, more romantic appearance, emanating a gentle radiance from within. As roses symbolize love and romance, when combined with diamond cutting techniques, they bring a new interpretation to enduring affection.

The Timeless Allure of Rose Cut Diamonds: A Deep Dive into Their Enchanting History and Charm