oval mixed cut

There are basically three types of cutting patterns, the brilliant cut, the step cut and the mixed cut (a combination of brilliant and step cuts). Sometimes diamonds with modified cuts are described both as to shape and faceting pattern in order to minimize confusion. For example, an oval shaped stone, which has a brilliant cut crown and a step cut pavilion, might be referred to as a "modified oval" or an "oval mixed cut".


Some of the fancy shapes are better suited for retaining the maximum weight of the more flat forms of diamond rough called macles and flats, and many are also cut from the less perfectly shaped octahedral and dodecahedral crystals. There are many other shapes (trilliant, bagette, etc.) and many branded cutting patterns which occupy specialized niches and more limited market positions, but we will not cover them here.