The Half Moon Diamond

The Half Moon diamond cut is straight on one side and curved on the other, creating a crescent shape. The straight edge lends itself well to setting against a center stone, particularly one with a straight edge.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CUTTING ISSUES
In the 1920s and 1930s, Half Moon diamonds were step cut, as were triangular diamonds; more contemporary Half Moon diamond cuts are faceted a little differently, using brillianteering similar to oval cut diamonds. This makes for a more lively, proportionately cut stone with a culet.

Years ago, Half Moon diamonds were cut from broken rounds with gashes on the side. The problem, however, was that you needed two broken stones of the same color for matching purposes.

These days, Half Moon diamonds generally are cut in large quantities from octahedron and sometimes marquise rough. Pairs are not directly matched up with the rough from which they were cut, but rather many Half Moon diamonds in different colors, sizes and qualities - generally from I to SI2 for market purposes are cut, then matched for inventory.

There is a large weight loss from Half Moon diamond shapes in order to achieve the kind of brilliance the marketplace is demanding today, but exact percentages are not divulged.

• Amorillion Cut Diamonds
• Ashoka Cut Diamonds
• Asprey Cut Diamonds
• Asscher Cut Diamonds
• Baguillion Diamonds (Baguettes)
• Barocut Diamonds
• Briolette Diamonds
• Buddha Diamonds
• Corona Diamonds
• Crisscut Diamonds
• Cushion Cut Diamonds
• Czar Cut Diamonds
• Flanders Square Diamonds
• Grace Cut Diamonds
• Half Moon Diamonds
• Heart-Shaped Diamonds
• Marquise Cut Diamonds
• Radiant Cut Diamonds
• Oval Diamonds
• Pear Shaped Diamonds
• Princess Cut Diamonds
• Quadrillion Cut Diamonds
• Regent Cut Diamonds
• Trillion Cut Diamonds
• Virtue Cut Diamonds
• Round Diamonds