13/04/2026
⨠At Hallâs Showcase Jewellers, we bring 60 years of diamond expertise proudly crafting and celebrating lifeâs most meaningful moments since 1966. â¨
Diamonds From their earliest discovery, have been shaped by both nature and human ingenuity. The original old mine and old European cuts of the 18th and 19th centuries were crafted by hand to glow softly under candlelight, each stone uniquely full of character.
As technology advanced, precision gave rise to the modern round brilliant cut renowned for its unmatched sparkle alongside elegant shapes like oval, emerald, pear, heart and marquise, each reflecting the design trends of their time. With newer arrivals to the world of diamond design, the princess cut, radiant, and elongated radiant diamonds bring a fresh, contemporary edge combining clean lines with exceptional brilliance. â¨
Today, this rich heritage continues with both mined and lab grown diamonds. While their origins differ, their beauty, structure, and craftsmanship remain the same allowing you to choose a diamond shape that not only reflects light beautifully, but also tells a story that spans centuries. â¨
đ Round Brilliant: The most common shape, optimized for maximum sparkle with 57-58 facets. While fully circular shaped diamonds have been around since the 1800's, the round diamond shape as we know it today was first cut around 1919 by Russian mathematician Marcel Tolkowsky.
đ Oval: An elegant, elongated shape that offers a large surface area, making it look larger per carat. The modern, 58-facet oval cut diamond was perfected and introduced in 1957 by Russian-born diamond cutter Lazare Kaplan.
đ Princess: A modern square-shaped cut with sharp corners and high brilliance. The princess cut diamond was initially conceived in 1961 by London diamond cutter Arpad Nagy as the "profile cut". However, the modern princess cut, featuring its signature, highly faceted, brilliant square shape, was developed in the 1970s
đ Cushion: Features rounded corners and large facets, often described as a "pillow cut" for a vintage feel. The cushion cut diamond, originally known as the "old mine cut," was developed in the 19th century (1800s), though some origins trace back to the 1700s. It became highly popular following the discovery of Brazilian diamond mines in the mid 1800s, designed to maximize carat weight and sparkle under candlelight.
đ Emerald: A rectangular shape with trimmed corners and step-cut facets, highlighting a quiet luxury and clarity over sparkle.
The emerald cut, characterized by its rectangular, step-cut facets, was developed in the 1500s. Initially, it was created to reduce cutting pressure on emerald gemstones, preventing chips. While its origins are deep in the 16th century, the cut was primarily adapted for diamonds during the Art Deco era of the 1920s, with the term "emerald cut" coined around that time
đ Pear: A "teardrop" shape combining round and marquise styles. The pear-cut diamond was first created around 1458â1475 by Flemish diamond polisher Lodewyk van Bercken in Belgium.
đ Marquise: A boat-shaped cut with two points, designed to maximize carat weight and elongate the finger. It offers one of the largest surface areas per carat of any diamond shape, making it look larger than a round diamond of the same carat weight.
đ Heart: A unique, romantic shape with a distinct cleft. The heart shaped diamond was first mentioned in historical records in 1463 and gained prominence in the 16th century.
đ Radiant: Combines the trimmed corners of an emerald cut with the brilliance of a round, excellent for hiding inclusions.
The radiant cut diamond was first created in 1977 by master cutter Henry Grossbard.
Designed to combine the emerald cut's rectangular shape with the brilliant cut's sparkle.
đ Elongated Radiant: A rectangular shaped gemstone that blends the linear, structured outline of an emerald cut with the intense, fiery sparkle of a brilliant cut. It is characterized by having 70 or more facets including a mix of "crushed ice" patterns and uniquely cropped bevelled corners.
đ Asscher: A square emerald cut with high, step-cut facets. This diamond that gained popularity during the 1920s Art Deco movement.
It is best described as a hybrid of an emerald cut and a princess cut, featuring a square outline with deeply cropped, octagonal corners. The cut is prized for its vintage sophistication and its signature "hall of mirrors" effect, which creates a mesmerizing, deep and brilliant look.
Come in to see our magnificent diamond collection in store.
If, by chance, we don't have what you're after we can certainly source the diamond, mined or lab grown and have it set in the style of your dreams! â¨
