Are you searching for a knowledgeable expert to guide you on trillion cut diamonds?
You’ve come to the right place!
This comprehensive guide will provide you with all the information you need to know, including:
- What exactly is a trillion cut diamond?
- What are the benefits and drawbacks of trillion-cut diamonds?
- How can you save money when buying a trillion cut diamond?
- Where can I find the best online merchant to purchase a trillion cut diamond?
The Fickleness of Trillion Cut Diamond Rings
Trillion cut diamonds are rare and exquisite for an engagement ring, but finding one can be challenging. Treat this diamond shape with great care if you happen to obtain it.
They come in a triangular shape with pointed or flat edges, making it ideal for those looking for a modern and sleek design. However, trillion cut diamonds require specialized settings like flush or bezel settings to protect their edges from chipping. As a result, their edges can be fragile and require protection.
If you prefer a pointed shape, be aware that it is more prone to chipping. Hence, it is essential to choose a suitable setting that will protect these edges for long-lasting use.
Trillion Cut Diamonds – A Brief Overview
Trillion cut diamonds are triangular shaped diamonds that are thought to have originated in Amsterdam during the 18th century. However, there is some debate about the exact timeline of their creation.
These diamonds are also referred to as triangle cuts, trillians, or trilliants, and the name “trillion” was trademarked by the Henry Meyer Diamond Company. Despite this, most triangular diamonds are commonly called by the brand name “trillion” anyway.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Trillion Cut Diamonds
Let’s talk about the trillion cut diamond, shall we? Just like any other diamond shape, it has its upsides and downsides. But, are these downsides real deal breakers? Let’s put on our judging hats and find out! So, what’s the verdict? It’s up to you to decide.
Advantages
Size
When it comes to diamonds, carat weight is often equated with size. However, the actual size of a diamond can vary depending on its shape. While a one carat round cut diamond may be well-known, it is not as large as other diamond shapes of the same carat weight. For instance, the marquise shape has the largest visible surface area of all diamond shapes, making a one carat marquise look larger than any other 1 carat shape.
Trillion cut diamonds come in second place in terms of size, making them a great option for those looking to get a larger stone without paying the high cost of a 1 carat round cut diamond.
Price
The round cut diamond may be the most expensive diamond shape out there, despite being the smallest. This can be discouraging for customers looking to get a larger diamond without breaking the bank. On the other hand, the trilliant is relatively less expensive than many other diamond shapes, making it a more affordable option for those on a budget.
Style
Trilliant diamonds are a unique and eye-catching shape that can make for a modern-looking engagement or wedding ring. Their bold triangular design with sleek and sharp edges can be a great fit for someone who prefers a non-traditional, daring ring. It can be difficult to find high-quality trilliant cut diamonds, but if you do, you’ll be among the few with a one-of-a-kind engagement ring that is sure to turn heads.
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Disadvantages
Susceptible to Chipping
Diamonds are often considered the hardest mineral on the Mohs scale, with a rating of 10. However, this does not mean they are unbreakable, and any gemstone can chip or break.
Certain diamond shapes, particularly those with sharp edges, are more prone to chipping. Trillion cut diamonds fall into this category.
However, the risk of chipping can be minimized by selecting a trillion cut diamond with rounded edges rather than flat edges.
When examining loose trilliant diamonds, it’s important to pay attention to the shape of their edges. Flat edges are more linear and pointy, making them more susceptible to breaking when hit.
Not Easy to Find
Trillion cut diamonds are a unique and eye-catching choice for an engagement ring. However, finding a center stone in this shape can be a challenge. This is due to the delicate nature of trilliants, which are prone to chipping and require protective ring settings.
To have a beautiful and unique ring with a trillion cut diamond, many people choose to have a custom ring made by a skilled jeweler. The process of setting a trilliant is difficult and time-consuming, which also makes it more expensive. As a result, trilliants are not as widely available as other diamond shapes like pear cut.
It’s important to keep in mind that while the diamond itself may be less expensive than other shapes, the cost of a custom ring setting can add up quickly. When purchasing a trillion or customizing a ring setting for it, it’s important to ensure that the diamond is set with V-prongs. This type of setting provides protection for every side of the trilliant, minimizing the risk of chipping or damage.
In summary, while trillions are a unique and striking choice for an engagement ring, they can be difficult to find as a center stone due to their delicate nature. Customizing a ring with a skilled jeweler is often necessary to ensure a beautiful and protective setting for a trillion cut diamond.
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How Popular are Trillion Cut Diamonds?
Trillion cut diamonds are not particularly popular compared to other diamond cuts like round brilliants and princess cut diamonds. They are quite difficult to find, especially when looking for loose diamonds. While they are used as accent stones in engagement rings, they require special care when setting, which is why many online dealers do not include them in their diamond inventory.
However, trillion cut shapes are quite common in colored gemstone jewelry. For instance, one can find a beautiful 1 carat triangular cut blue sapphire from James Allen for less than $500. This example illustrates why you will not see diamond trilliant center stones. While the cut of the stone is not as important in colored gemstone jewelry as it is in a diamond, trillions are still delicate and are not the ideal shape for diamonds.
The reason why trillion cut diamonds are not as popular is due to their transparency and light performance. Unlike colored gemstones, which mainly focus on their color, diamonds are valued based on their transparency and light performance. Trillions, being delicate, do not provide the ideal shape for maximizing these qualities.
Trillion cut diamonds are not popular compared to other diamond cuts, mainly due to their delicate nature and the special care required when setting them. While they can be used as accent stones in engagement rings, they are more commonly found in colored gemstone jewelry.
Tips for Selecting a Trillion Cut Diamond
The quality of a diamond is evaluated based on the four Cs of diamond grading – cut, clarity, color, and carat weight, as established by the GIA. However, trillion cut diamonds, which are not commonly used as center stones, may not always have grading reports available.
While many individuals do not have accent diamonds graded, there are certain criteria you should consider when assessing each of the four Cs for a trillion cut diamond.
Cut
The quality of a diamond’s cut is of utmost importance as it forms the foundation of the stone. The cut determines the stone’s ability to reflect light and produce its stunning brilliance. For round brilliant diamonds, there are set standards for the ideal cut.
However, for shapes like the trillion cut, there is no official perfection standard. Princess and cushion cut diamonds are also not defined as “ideal cut,” though they are typically cut within a specific range of dimensions and proportions that are considered to be the best.
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Trillion cuts have more surface area than most cuts, which means they have less depth, making the diamond look larger. However, this also means that cutting a trillion requires a great deal of care as it can easily be cut too shallow.
A diamond that is cut too shallow will have a lackluster appearance despite its size. To ensure the best brilliance and fire, it is crucial to check the depth percentage of your trillion cut diamond. The ideal depth for trillions is between 32-48%, while the recommended table size is between 50-70%. Additionally, the length-to-width ratio should be either 1 or 1.1.
It’s important to note that while there may not be an official standard for perfection in diamond cuts, following these guidelines can help ensure that you get the most beautiful diamond possible.
Clarity
Trilliants belong to the brilliant cut diamond family which includes round brilliants, cushion cuts, princess cuts, pear cuts, marquise cuts, and radiant cuts. These diamond shapes are characterized by short and choppy facets that produce a sparkling effect.
On the other hand, step cut diamonds have long facets that create a striking flash when light is reflected. The Asscher cut and emerald cut are examples of step cut diamond shapes.
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Brilliant cut diamonds are known for their ability to conceal clarity characteristics or diamond inclusions. This implies that you can pay less for clarity grades in brilliant cut diamond shapes than in step-cut shapes. However, when purchasing a trillion, it is recommended to choose an eye-clean diamond that is free of visible inclusions to the naked eye. It is unnecessary to pay for a flawless diamond or even a VVS diamond, but you should avoid unsightly inclusions.
Given the limited availability of trillion cut diamonds, it is advisable to be flexible when selecting diamond clarity. We suggest purchasing diamonds with SI or VS clarities for trillion cut diamonds.
Color
Trillion cut diamonds, like other diamond cuts, do not require a superior diamond color. Opting for a near colorless grade is sufficient as it will still look stunning, and this is also a benefit of brilliant cut diamonds. In contrast, step cut diamonds are more revealing of color and thus require higher clarity and color grades.
A nifty trick when selecting a color grade is to match it with the metal of your jewelry. For instance, a yellow gold jewelry piece will make lower color grades like J appear whiter than they do in a white gold setting. Normally, J color diamonds are perceived as having a faint yellow hue, but when paired with yellow metal, it appears whiter. This also applies to rose gold.
Therefore, if you have chosen a yellow or rose gold ring setting for your trillion, a color grade of J or better will suffice. If you have your eye on a white gold or platinum ring setting, opt for H and above.
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Carat
When selecting a trillion cut diamond or most other diamond shapes, carat weight is deemed the least crucial factor. However, some diamond shapes, such as a heart cut diamond, may not look as impressive if it is less than 1 carat, particularly as a solitaire. If it is too small, the characteristic dip that makes it resemble a heart may be difficult to perceive.
With trillions, one should exercise caution with larger carat weights as they tend to be more noticeable.
Best Places to Buy Trillion Cut Diamonds
Trillion cut diamonds are exceedingly rare to find both in physical stores and online. If you are interested in using a trillion diamond as your main stone, your best option would be to check with a local jeweler who offers custom designs. However, it’s essential to note that unlike purchasing diamonds from an online vendor, a custom design entails labor costs.
Most retailers typically offer engagement rings with trillions as accent stones rather than center stones. Some recommended retailers that sell rings with trillion accents include James Allen, Leibish & Co., and Whiteflash, while Brian Gavin Diamonds and Kay Jewelers offer rings with trillion center stones.
Nevertheless, if none of these retailers meet your needs, consider seeking out a local jeweler who carries loose diamonds and can provide custom settings.
Best Settings for Trillion Cut Diamonds
When it comes to setting trillion cut diamonds in a ring, it can be challenging to find the perfect style. It’s essential to keep in mind that protective settings like a bezel setting or flush setting are necessary to ensure the diamond’s safety and prevent damage.
Here’s a highlight of some of the best settings for trillion cut diamonds:
- 14K White Gold Hexagonal Trilliant Side Stone Diamond Engagement Ring
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- Three-stone Trillion Side-diamonds Engagement Ring
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- Custom Trillion 3 Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring
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