Unusual Diamond Shapes – Trilliant Diamonds
Over the last few years, I have written about many of the more popular diamond shapes. Besides the ever-popular Round Brilliant cut, and Princess, there are many more styles of diamond shape to reward anyone searching for a remarkable diamond. Today we’re going to show you the Trilliant cut.
Triangle, Trilliant, Trill, and Trillion are all permutations of a name applied to a triangular brilliant cut diamond. You can see how the name Trilliant was arrived at. Trilliant cut diamonds are shallower diamonds compared to other fancy diamond shapes. They typically have around 44 facets and their shape follows a naturally occurring crystalline formation on diamonds, known as Trigons. Look at the photograph below that I took last week and you will see very strange, triangular patterns of growth on a rough diamonds. The distinctive triangular pattern looks almost alien. But no stranger than the hexagonal cells of a Bee-hive, or the geometry of a spider’s web. Triangular crystals of rough diamonds (Macles) usually form the source of a Trilliant cut diamond. The basic shape is already there. With precision cutting and faceting, this becomes the Trilliant cut diamond.
You will typically see two types of Trilliant diamond. Those which possess straight sides and those with bowed sides. Proportions vary, but Trilliant cut diamonds with equal sides (Equilateral) provide better proportions. It is a general rule that this shape assumes better proportions with a third of the weight above the girdle and two thirds of the overall carat weight below.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Trilliant Cut Diamonds.
Another advantage lies in the spread of the polished diamond. Since Trilliants are a shallower diamond shape, they assume a greater size or spread. Compared to other diamond shapes, a Trilliant can look enormous. If they are cut too shallow, light will pass straight through with a loss of brilliance. The points of the stone are also more vulnerable so care has to be taken when setting this shape. Although diamond is the hardest substance it is also brittle and with enough pressure, the tip of this diamond shape is far more at risk from damage.
About Mark Johnson
My name is Mark and I'm founder at Serendipity Diamonds. By day you'll find me working in our showroom—in a variety of roles. My work (which I love) ranges from photographing jewellery, to writing blog posts and helping clients with my colleagues Drina, Emily and Debbie.
