What is a Pear Cut Diamond?

by Gary Ingram

Since the cut was created in the 1400s, pear shaped engagement rings have been capturing hearts and bringing pleasure to those who wear them. Today pear shaped diamond engagement rings have adorned the fingers of many of the most beautiful young celebrities including Anna Kournikova and Jessica Simpson.

Undeniably the most famous pear cut diamond given in the name of love though was the 69.42 carat stone presented to Elizabeth Taylor by beau Richard Burton. It was never made into a pear cut diamond engagement ring, just kept as the stone. The incredible Taylor-Burton diamond was sold by Taylor after Burton’s death for $2.8 million to raise money for charity.

First established in 1458 by Flemish polisher Lodewyk van Berquem, the pear shaped diamond was the culmination of two of his great inventions: the introduction of perfect symmetry into facet arrangement and the scaif, a specialised wheel to polish diamonds. The placement of the facets, or cut edges, allowed the maximum amount of reflection and refraction to be admitted from the stone. Jewellers at the time were not impressed because it wasted a significant portion of the rough diamond, but customers were drawn to its brilliance and sparkle, as well its' uniquely feminine and pretty tear-shape. Still, it is able to yield up to 50 percent more than the brilliant round cut which is the most popular of modern cuts.

The most impressive example of a pear-shaped diamond is the Star of Africa which decorates the sceptre of the King of England. This 520.02 carat diamond, also known as the Cullinan I, was cut from a rough stone weighing in at 3106 carats and is the largest cut specimen in the world. It is kept under lock and key in the Tower of London with the rest of the Crown Jewels. Other spectacular pear cut diamonds are the Dresden, a soulful emerald-green diamond weighing 41 carats, and the Sancy, a 55 carat diamond believed to have been worn by Charles the Brave.

Even without the fortune and riches of royalty and the social elite however, it is possible for anyone to benefit from the glamour and elegance of a pear cut diamond whether in the form of a discount engagement platinum ring or a dazzling pair of earrings. These enchanting stones create jewellery that becomes instantly timeless and constantly alluring.