Emerald cut
A rectangular diamond with cropped corners and long, stepped facets.
Easily confused with
How to read it
GIA describes the emerald cut as a rectangle with cropped corners and long, open step-cut facets, which give a “hall of mirrors” look rather than sparkle. A step cut, as Julius Wodiska explained in 1909, has its facets running lengthways round the stone in steps. GIA notes that the large, open facets show inclusions and color more easily than other shapes.
Also searched as: emerald cut diamond, step cut diamond.
Grades describe a stone as a grading laboratory saw it. This page explains the grading scales; it doesn’t grade or value any stone.
Emerald or Asscher?
Both are step cuts with cropped corners. The emerald cut is a rectangle; the Asscher is square.
Read next
- Next in Diamond gradingRadiant cutA square or rectangular diamond with cropped corners and brilliant-style facets.
- The same shape in Acura dashboard symbolsAcura Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) indicatorAcura’s Road Departure Mitigation (RDM) indicator comes on when there is a problem with RDM or when the system has shut itself off. RDM is the Acura system that warns, steers and sometimes brakes when the car is about to cross detected lane markings or leave the road.
More diamond grading
The same shape elsewhere
Browse symbols drawn with lines or squares and rectangles.
Sources
- Guide to Diamond Engagement Ring Shapes (GIA 4Cs), Gemological Institute of America
- A Book of Precious Stones (Wodiska, 1909), Julius Wodiska, A Book of Precious Stones, 1909, Internet Archive (Cornell University Library scan)
Researched, edited and approved by Rory Hansen before publishing. Last reviewed September 28, 2026. How we research
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