Pear Cut Diamond Size - What is the right diamond size?
The term “diamond size” refers to the dimensions of a particular stone. They include a diamond’s table size, total depth, pavilion depth, crown height, girdle diameter and culet size. Each of these measurements, together with some other factors such as angles, determine a stone’s proportions (cut quality) and allow to understand how large a diamond is.
As you can see, diamond size and carat weight refer to different characteristics, meaning two diamonds of the same carat weight and shape may differ in size depending on their dimensions. And vice versa, two diamonds of the same dimensions may differ in carat weights.
It is worth mentioning that buyers are usually interested in the width and height of the diamond. However, you should not forget about the overall proportions of a stone as well. Meaning if there is even a slight misalignment in proportions and angles, the stone will not reflect the light properly and not exhibit the maximum amount of sparkle and brilliance.
Pear Cut Diamond Size
Length to Width Ratio
On of the most common way pear shapes are miscut is with an out of balance length to width ratio. Most people find that they prefer pear shapes with a length to width ratio of about 1.50 to about 1.60.
Straight vs. Curvy Pear Shapes
While Length to Width ratio is something that you can calculate yourself by viewing the diamond’s measurements on the certificate, the silhouette of the stone is not something you can figure out on paper alone.
How the diamond is shaped, strictly in 2-dimensional terms, is really one of the most important aspects to a pear shape. This is the case particularly with pear shapes (and perhaps heart shapes as well), over and above all other shapes.
Unique Asymmetry
The reason is simply that the pear shape’s silhouette is its signature. Think about it – every other shape is a basic symmetrical geometric shape.
Only the pear shape has this unique asymmetrical shape with a different top and bottom. So how the stone makes its way from the round end to the point is what this shape is all about.
Common Mishap Pear Shapes
In this section, I would like to point out a couple of commonly misshapen pear shape types.
Firstly, to the left, you can see what I like to call the “triangular” pear shape. If you look at the picture, you’ll see it’s obvious why I call it this.
Flat Back Pears
The left side of the stone (in this picture) is supposed to be a perfectly round semicircle. Instead, it’s nearly flat. Furthermore, the sides of the stone should have a bit more curve to them. A close relative to the “triangle” pear shape is what I call the “flat-back” pear shape.
These are basically one step better than the “triangle” since the only noticeable problem is the flattish back whereas the sides still have the proper curve to them.
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Pear Cut Diamond Size