Atelier Minyon

A few of our amazing collections feature rose cut diamonds. While customers love the look, they do not have experience with this style of cut. Therefore, a brief history lesson is important in learning why we love this cut. Various forms of the rose cut diamonds (also known as Istanbul cuts) were the preeminent diamond style in Europe from the 16th century well into the 18th century. The basic rose cut has a flat base and a crown composed of triangular facets (either 12 or a multiple of 8) in symmetrical arrangement, which rise to form a point. In other words, these diamonds have multiple angled surfaces on top and have a flat bottom. In the 19th century most rose cuts fell out of favor as the market turned to brilliant cuts that feature a point at the bottom in order to reflect more light through the crown of the diamond thus increasing its fire.

Atelier Minyon has embraced the historic styles of rose cut diamonds in an effort to combine the romance of the past with the trends of today. In fact, vintage diamonds create a retro-look that has become increasingly chic. The advantage of a rose cut is that it certainly gives the consumers more diamond for the dollar. For example a 1.00 carat rose cut diamond if it were to be cut down to a brilliant cut, it would only be .60 carats. The diamond would also lose approximately 50% of its top surface area. This is a significant size disparity. But rose cuts don’t have the fire of a brilliant cut. Well to increase the fire to a rose cut, a master diamond setter will back the rose cut with a thin layer of high-finish foil made of gold, silver, or tin which acts as a reflector creating the desired fire. One important note is that a foil back diamond should not be soaked in water as it can damage the foil and require the stone to be re-set (so you should not shower with your rose cut ring).