Stone Cuts: How to Style the Size and Shape of Your Class Ring

According to EducationData.org, 4 million college students graduate each year. Graduation day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate your accomplishments than with a custom class ring?

You can style class rings in much the same way as engagement rings with various stone cuts. A stone cutting machine creates stones for rings with different shapes and facets for distinct looks. 

But what are the differences between these stone cuts, and which one should you choose for your class ring? In this guide, we’ll talk about the ways you can style your class rings with stone cuts.

Want to know more about stone cuts for class rings? Then keep reading to discover more. 

Different Styles of Stone Cuts for Class Rings

Several types of stone cuts change the overall shape of the stones for rings. We will cover these in the latter portion of the guide. 

But there are also different cutting styles you should be aware of that can impact the number and design style of a stone’s facets.

Facets are a stone’s sides and surfaces that reflect the light and give a stone its sparkle and shine. The more facets a stone has, the more it will shimmer in the light.

The three most basic and most widely used styles of stone cuts are Brilliant Cut, Step Cut, and Mixed Cut.

What Is a Brilliant Cut?

A Brilliant Cut stone is a stone that is specifically cut for its sparkle. Brilliant cut stones are known for their multiple facets, which reflect light from numerous angles on the stone’s surface. This reflected light refers to a diamond or gemstone’s brilliance.

A Brilliant stone cut usually has 57 or 58 facets to it in a cone shape looking from the top down into the stone. This number changes depending on whether a stone has a culet, or a flat bottom to it, that provides another facet. 

A Brilliant Cut is primarily used for a round stone shape in engagement and wedding rings, but these cuts can also apply to stones for class rings. An oval-shaped stone is adaptable as well with the use of a modified Brilliant Cut. 

What Is a Step Cut?

A Step Cut is a more subtle cut of stones for rings. Baguette and Emerald cuts utilize a Step Cut to show off the stone’s natural color and beauty.

The stone cuts are made to the outer edges and sides, leaving a flatter rectangular table-like facet in the center.

The Step Cut gets its name from the outer cuts that ascend upwards towards the top of the stone, called a crown. When viewed from above, these cuts resemble stairs or steps. 

What Is a Mixed Cut?

A Mixed Cut, as its name implies, is a mix or combination of the Step Cut and the Brilliant Cut.

The stone can have more brilliant facets towards the crown of the stone, with step-cut facets towards the bottom portion of the stone, known as the pavilion. Or the stone may contain step-cut facets at its crown with more brilliant-cut facets at its pavilion level.

A form of stone cutting called cabbing can also be used in combination with the Mixed Cut. A stone cutting machine polishes a stone to produce a domed or smooth rounded appearance for the top of the stone.    

Most Common Shapes of Stone Cuts

While Mixed Cuts, Step Cuts, and Brilliant Cuts determine the style of the facets of a stone, there are also stone cuts that can determine a stone’s overall shape.

While many newer and older stone cuts are not used as frequently, other more traditional styles have become the most common types of stone cuts and shapes. The most common stone cuts are:

• Princess-Cut
• Emerald-Cut
• Round-Cut
• Asscher-Cut
• Cushion-Cut
• Baguette-Cut
• Oval-Cut
• Marquise-Cut
• Pear-Cut

Now we will delve further into the features of each stone cut shape. 

Princess-Cut Stones

A Princess-Cut is a square stone with a chevron pattern. It is styled like an inverted pyramid with its facets going down into the bottom pavilion of the stone. 

It is considered a square modified brilliant due to its high facet count and brilliance. Princess-cut stones contain 50-58 facets. Its corners are squared and not rounded.

A Princess-Cut stone in a class ring will provide a beautiful stone that catches the light for a stunning shimmer. 

Emerald-Cut Stones

The Emerald-Cut is well suited for rectangular stones. It incorporates straight and linear cut facets and step cuts that run parallel down the outer edges of the stone. This creates a more dynamic appearance.

An Emerald cut stone has corners that are cropped down. Its cut edges leave a flatter table portion of the top part of the stone that reflects the light back like a large plate or mirror instead of the multiple facets of a brilliant cut. 

Choosing Emerald-Cut stones for rings will give you a bold look that shows more of the stone’s own natural color and clarity.

Round-Cut Stones

Round-Cut stones are most often brilliant cuts as well. Their many sparkling facets make them ideal for solitaire diamond engagement stones, but any round-shaped colored stone can benefit from their gorgeous aesthetic. These stone cuts also look fantastic in a halo setting. 

Triangle and kite-shaped facets comprise its structure. It is a classic shape that is simple and appealing to the eye.

Round-Cut stones for your class rings are ideal for a more delicate or subtle look that isn’t short on radiance.

Asscher-Cut Stones

An Asscher-Cut stone is a combination of an Emerald-Cut and a Princess-Cut. It has cropped corners to resemble an Emerald-Cut in a more squared shape.

Using step-cut facets instead of a brilliant cut puts more focus on its color and clarity rather than its facets as a Princess Cut does.

Asscher-Cut stones are a sophisticated and stylish choice for those who want to let a stone’s clarity and elegance shine through.

Cushion-Cut Stones

A Cushion-Cut or Pillow Cut stone resembles a square throw pillow or couch cushion with rounded edges. A Cushion-Cut shows more of a stone’s brilliance with multiple facets.

A Cushion cut stone can have anywhere from 58 to 64 facets. Though a 58 facet cushion cut will have a chunkier appearance. A cushion cut was once referred to by other names such as “Old Mine Cut”, “Old European Cut”, or “Antique Cushion-Cut”.

A cushion cut brings old-world style to stones for rings since this cut has been around for 200 years. It is a timeless design that has gained recent popularity with celebrity engagement rings.

Baguette-Cut Stones

Baguette-Cut stones are sleek and rectangular cut stones. A baguette-cut also uses step-cut styling for its 14 facets around the outer edge of the stone. It looks like a pyramid at its base without the pointed top. 

Baguette stones are great for accent stones or as a standalone statement stone. They may also have a tapered appearance with two sides narrowed inward. An elongated baguette has a longer, thinner appearance.

Baguette-Cut stones for rings are a clean and modern choice because of their geometric style. 

Oval-Cut Stones

Oval-Cuts share many of the same attributes as Round-cut stones; they are just a little longer on two sides. Oval-cut stones are cut for brilliance with 57 or 58 facets on their surface.

They are a take on the traditional round-cut style with a small variation on the size of the stone. But they still have all the shimmer that a round brilliant cut has to offer. 

Oval-Cut stones are a great option if you want something a little more traditional with a slight modification. 

Marquise-Cut Stones

Marquise-Cut stones have perfectly symmetrical endpoints that are pleasing to the eye. They appear to look like a thin, deflated football or a long and narrow smile. With 58 facets, a marquise-cut stone is designed to gleam in the light. 

A marquise-cut stone is typically set horizontally, but in recent years is now also being worn vertically as well. A marquise-cut stone makes the stone appear larger than it is.

A marquise-cut stone is a distinct shape and cut that is a unique choice for class rings and those who want to show more individuality. 

Pear-Cut Stones

Pear-Cut stones are unmistakably known for their teardrop shape. They look like a cross between a Marquise-Cut and an Oval-Cut with one tapered, pointed end.

Pear cuts are often modified round brilliant cuts, so they have over 70 sparkling facets on their surface.

A pear-cut stone’s slim design is attractive on any finger for an elegant and dazzling look.

Custom Class Rings for Every Style

Now that you know more about stone cuts, you can have fun designing your very own custom class ring. ClassRings.com has a wide variety of stone cuts and shapes for you to choose from at affordable prices. 

Choose your metal, ring style, text, logos, engraving, and more. It’s all up to you to make your class ring special and unique.

ClassRings.com has all the popular colored birthstone stones in beautiful and quality settings. And you can have your ring shipped out in two weeks or less!

Check out ClassRings.com today for our full catalog of class rings to get started.