What Is A Shield Cut Diamond?

Shield Cut diamonds have a triangle shape, with a bowed top side and two bowed edges on the other two “sides.” The general shape is reminiscent of warrior shields from the past.

The term comes from the fact that their overall shape resembles that of a warrior’s shield.

They are usually utilized as side jewels in a diamond engagement ring, with the pointed end running down the shank and the wide end next to the focal diamond. Shield-shaped stones can also be utilized for pendants and dangle earrings due to their uniqueness.

What Are The Characteristics Of A Shield Cut Diamond?

The Shield Cut Diamond is an intriguing and one-of-a-kind addition to the realm of diamond cutters. The shield cut while being very unique actually has a few close relatives due to it being in the step cut family of diamonds. The cut that is most similar is Triangular Cut. Although the shield cut has a few unique features, such as a bent top and tapered edges that are oriented inwards. The Shield Cut is a rising star in the world of side stones, thanks to its beautiful aesthetics as well as its poignant symbolism. After all, the Shield represents protection, which is an appropriate emotion for a pair.

What Are The Different Shield Cut Diamond Ring Settings?

Pavé Set

Pavé (pronounced “pah-vay”) comes from the french word “to pave,” and is used to produce a cobblestone impression with.01-.02 carat diamonds. A mirco-pavé setting, which is commonly seen in thin bands, is utilized when lesser carat diamonds are used.  Pavé settings create an all-over light by putting diamonds low and close together with small metal beads or prongs that are scarcely visible behind the canopy of gleam. White gold is a popular choice for pavé-set jewelry because it is said to mix in better with the diamonds than yellow or rose gold, allowing them to sparkle with less metal visible.

Channel Set

Diamonds are set between two vertical metal walls in channel settings, creating a flat profile for maximum protection. There is no metal between the diamonds, enabling the most amount of light to enter.

In most channel settings, the metal slightly overlaps the stones’ sides, providing a little lip that protects them from inadvertent impacts. This snag-free design is unlikely to catch on garments or hair due to the lack of prongs or claws in channel configurations.

Channel settings are a common choice for women’s wedding bands, as well as similarly fashioned stackable rings that can be worn together, due to their flat profile. They’re also prominent in the shanks of Timeless engagement rings, by being added as a side stones in order to add more shine.

Prong Set / Claw Set

Two or more metal prongs wrap around the diamond’s crown in prong settings (also known as claw settings). The prongs are bent to snugly secure the diamond once it has been set inside the basket-like prong structure. 

Prong settings require less metal, allowing more light to penetrate through the stone for optimum brilliance. Prong settings are easy to maintain and clean because so much of the diamond is exposed, and they can be readily modified to lower or elevate the setting if you want to add more in the future.

Bezel Set

A metal fringe that softly spans the whole diameter of a diamond to lock it in place is known as a bezel setting; it’s a common choice for the more fragile marquise-cut and pear-cut diamonds.

Bezel-sets are one of the safest options since they are well shielded from unexpected knocks and bumps, making them excellent for those with active lifestyles. Because of its flat profile, it is less prone to snag and requires emergency repairs, such as those associated with warped or broken prongs.

Because the diamond’s base is hidden behind the metal, less light can pass through the stone.

A half-bezel setting, which contains a split in the metal for light to get in between, can be utilized to allow more light to reach the diamond.

Floating Set / Tension Set

The diamond looks to be suspended rather than kept in place by prongs or metal in floating or tension-set jewelry. A compression technique is used to hold the diamond in place with very little metal contact, creating a mesmerizing illusion.

As floating diamonds are calibrated based on the exact dimensions of the diamond, the shank of the ring is often rather thick and not readily resized due to the mechanical strength required for tension-set rings… So choose your size carefully!

Cleaning tension-set diamonds is simple because practically all of the stone is accessible, but regular examinations are recommended to guarantee structural integrity.

What To Look For When Buying Shield Cut Diamond?

It is not difficult to locate a shield cut diamond. Finding one that resembles a well-proportioned spectacular shield is a more difficult challenge, which is why working with the most experienced direct importers and producers, preferably with experience in the side stone sector, is highly advised.

Perhaps the most critical piece of Shield Cut’s purchasing advice is to pay special attention to the center. It can easily backfire by making certain flaws more visible because it’s wider than most cuts, which gives significant benefits. This can be prevented by putting greater effort into each piece’s clarity.

What Are The Pros and Cons Of Shield Cut Diamonds?

Pros:

• Appears larger than many other cuts
• Incredible fire and brilliant brilliance
• Cheaper than other cuts

Cons:

• More prone to chipping.
• Limited brilliance due to lack of depth
• There aren’t many configuration possibilities.

Should You Purchase A Shield Cut Diamond?

Yes, but they are typically as side stones for rings, with the wide end fitting next to the center stone and the pointed end running down the ring’s shank. But you still can use them as a center stone on a diamond engagement ring.

Shield cut diamonds are ideal for dangle earrings and pendants due to their unusual shape.

Where Should You Purchase A Shield Cut Diamond?

When looking for a shield cut diamond, it’s important to look at examples to decided whether you want them as a side stone or a center stone on your diamond engagement ring. You can shop online or at a local jeweler’s store, but make sure you can trust them before making a purchase of a diamond engagement ring.

Famous Shield Diamonds

In today’s market, there are a variety of engagement ring diamond cuts to choose from. Shield cut diamonds, on the other hand, are worth a try if you want something different than typical diamond shapes. Many of the world’s most famous diamonds are shield-shaped.

Shield-shaped diamonds can be found in some of the world’s most iconic jewels. The Guinea Star (89-carat D-Internally Flawless modified shield). the Moussaieff Red (5.11 carat, the greatest Fancy Red color diamond,) and the Sancy Red (5.11 carat, the largest Fancy Red color diamond) are among these shield cut diamonds (pale yellow 55.23-carat shield-shaped stone, apparently of Indian origin, and is said to be one of the first large diamonds to be cut with symmetrical facets)

The Moussaieff Red (The Red Shield Diamond)

The Red Shield, like every other superhero, has a backstory that explains how their superpowers came to be. The very uncommon and vividly colored rough, discovered in the Brazilian jungles, measured about 14 carats. It required William Goldberg’s vision and perseverance to finally show its genuine strength and beauty.

The stone was obtained after five journeys to South America. However, the work was well worth it. What William Goldberg brought back to New York was a deep red Type IIa diamond, which is so rare and expensive that only a few are known to exist in the world.

According to statistics, just one carat of a pink diamond is generated for every million carats of raw mined. A true red diamond, on the other hand, is even rarer.

So there you have it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to make a super diamond. After much consideration, a modified triangle brilliant-cut was chosen as the shape (also known as a trilliant cut). The largest Fancy Red diamond ever made was created by William Goldberg’s master cutters. The Red Shield, weighing 5.11 carats.

The Red Shield has been on exhibit at the Smithsonian twice over the years, dazzling thousands of visitors with its unequaled color, unique shape, and unrivaled beauty. It’s a diamond with superpowers, to be sure.

Conclusion

The Shield Cut Diamond is an intriguing and one-of-a-kind addition to the realm of diamond cutters. While the Shield Shaped Diamond is similar to other Triangular Cuts, it has a few unique features, such as a bent top and tapered edges that are oriented inwards. The Shield Cut is a rising star in the world of side stones, thanks to its beautiful aesthetics as well as its poignant symbolism. After all, the Shield represents protection, which is an appropriate emotion for a pair.