Diamond Eight-Cut Faceting (Single Cut Diamond)
The Eight-Cut Diamond, also known as a Single Cut Diamond, is a simpler faceting style primarily used in smaller diamonds, melee stones, and vintage jewelry. It is one of the earliest faceting styles in diamond cutting, designed to enhance brilliance while maintaining a basic, symmetrical structure.
Characteristics of the Eight-Cut Diamond:
Facet Count:
The Eight-Cut Diamond has a total of 17 or 18 facets:
8 crown facets (on the upper part of the diamond)
8 pavilion facets (on the lower part)
1 table facet (flat top surface)
Sometimes a culet (a small facet at the bottom) is added.
This is significantly fewer than a Round Brilliant Cut, which has 57 or 58 facets.
Shape & Appearance:
The Eight-Cut is usually round in shape.
Due to fewer facets, it has a softer brilliance compared to a modern brilliant-cut diamond.
The design focuses on maintaining symmetry while offering a simple sparkle.
Light Reflection:
Since there are only 17-18 facets, the Eight-Cut diamond does not disperse light as much as modern brilliant-cut diamonds.
It produces larger but fewer flashes of light, making it ideal for vintage and antique jewelry.
Uses of Eight-Cut Diamonds:
Melee Diamonds:
Eight-Cut diamonds are commonly used as small accent stones in jewelry settings, such as in pavé, halo, or side-stone designs.
Vintage and Antique Jewelry:
Many older jewelry pieces, especially those from the Art Deco and Edwardian periods, feature Eight-Cut diamonds due to their classic and elegant appearance.
Watches and Fine Jewelry:
High-end watchmakers often use Eight-Cut diamonds as embellishments in luxury watches.