"Single Cuts? What?" That's what most customers think when they hear that interesting term! "
Single Cut Diamonds?" You can almost see their eyes glaze over!
And here's the really funny part: Most people have Single Cuts in their Jewelry... And don't even know it!
It's true! Start pulling out your Jewelry, Rings, Pendants, Bracelets and Watches, you'll see! (That's if you look good enough! - You may need a Jeweler's Loupe to see them, but trust me, they're there!)
What are Single Cuts?
What are Single Cut Diamonds used for?
Single Cuts (Contrary to the name) are NOT Diamonds with a Single Cut!
Cutting Style
In fact, Single Cuts are a cutting style that usually have 16-18 Cuts (or Facets) on them. The Cuts are: A Girdle (Sometimes Round, sometimes Octagon! - like a Stop Sign!), a Table (Top flat part of the Diamond), 8 Bezel Facets (The Crown), 8 Pavilion Facets (The Base), and sometimes a Culet (The pointed tip at the end of the Pavilion that is cut off).
Single Cut Diamonds only have a couple of Facets on them because the Diamonds are so small to begin with (Generally under .10 points). When they're that small you don't need anymore Facets - Not like the Modern Brilliant Cut Diamond does with 58! Single Cuts get really hard to see even WITH a Microscope or 10x Magnification, so why spend the time or money to add the extra Facets? Just 18 and you're good to go!
Single Cuts only need enough Facets on them to give them a little sparkle and shine. Nothing more! Most people can't tell the difference between a Single Cut Diamond and a Full Cut (58 Facets) anyway. Even after knowing they're different, and viewing them under a scope, they still don't see a difference. It just looks like a small Diamond! So be it!
Single Cuts are Cheaper
The good thing is, Single Cuts are much cheaper than Full Cut Diamonds. So a Tennis Bracelet with 50 Single Cut Diamonds would not only be inexpensive, but because of the cost, it's also Popular! (Just check out any Department Store's Jewelry counter and you'll see lots of Single Cut Diamonds!)
Single Cuts (Commonly called Melee. Also known as 8/8 - 8 Facets on top, 8 Facets on bottom) are used quite regularly as Accent Stones in pretty much all types of Jewelry: Gemstone Rings, Cocktail Rings, Watches (See Close-Up Picture of a Watch with Single Cuts), Earrings, Pendants and of course those lovely, little Tennis Bracelets!
"A 2.00 Carat Tennis Bracelet for only $49.99???" YEP! Gotta love those Single Cuts!
Single Cut Diamonds have been around for a long, long time (Over 400 Years! - That's a lot of little Diamonds!) The Single Cut is actually the Cut of Diamond that evolved into the Modern Brilliant Cut Diamond that we all know and love Today. It's like a baby Diamond! "When I grow up, I wanna be a Full Cut!"
You may be interested to know that small Diamonds can also be Cut with the Full 58 Facets on them as well (Brilliant Cut), but you probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference when comparing them. (Unless you scoped them!) The only difference you may notice is in the price tag. Single Cuts play a huge role when the wallet's concerned!
The Bottom Line
Single Cuts help keep the price of the merchandise down. And that's great!
Plus, if you ever lose a Single Cut Diamond from your Mounting, don't worry... It doesn't cost very much to replace! Score!
So even though Single Cuts have more than just One Cut (Why they call them Single, I don't know!), they do serve their purpose well. Small, Sparkly and Cheap??? They definitely make the Cut!
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