OK- I saw this on another topic, but it really got me wondering - what is a scissor cut? What makes it different from an emerald cut?

Does anyone have some good (Really) close up shots of a scissor cut diamond or gemstone?

Thanks Sanchica! That's better than what I found!

Ooo I love that cut or any unusual cut for that matter  

Lately I've been dreaming of a lily cut or a crisscut stone 

Hmmm, it is cool, but it looks like a lot of shadowing going on.  I wonder how much it sparkles.

Hi All,
The specialty cuts are interesting.

To me,  the science of diamond cutting is like an art. As time goes on the art evolves- yet it's the basic elements that draw me back.

As the art evolved "brands" have appeared.
In fact, it's impossible to "protect" a patent on a diamond's cut.

In the case of one "brand" that really took off- let's use the asscher as an example.
The intrinsic aspects of this shape are so broad that it found widespread acceptance. Many cutters started shaping their precious rough into Asscher looking diamonds. It makes no sense to copy the original design to the tee for many reasons.
Primarily it is the fact that an essential elemant of non branded diamonds is cutting for the most effiecient use of rough.
In the case of Asscher Cuts, it's resulted in all sorts of interesting variations that use the same basic elements, with proportional differences. Such as a rectangular Asscher type diamond.


If a seller falsely claims to be selling branded Royal Asscher Diamonds, it's possible to stop such advertising.
But if a cutter were to take a piece of rough, cut an identical stone to a branded one- and call it an "Octagonal Step Cut"- I do not believe that it could be shown they are breaking any copyright laws.

Radiant is another example- It was initially invented by grafting the facet patten of a brilliant onto an emerald cut.
The inventor, Henry Grossbard, never tried to stop anyone from copying his design- resulting in huge refinements to the art of Radiant Cutting over the years.
As a rule, cutters are better at cutting radiant diamonds today than in 1981 because the art is cumulative.
One cutter looks at another's work and had new ideas. They learn from each other.

Refinements are great- but some designs simply can't really be improved- and can enjoy near universal acceptance.
The basic shapes in modern diamonds- Cushion, Round, Pear, Oval , Marquise, Radiant, Asscher.....work for aesthetic, practical and other reasons.


In the case of the Scissor type cuts......it's personal preference.
In the marketplace they have not shown to experience strong demand- therefore no one ever really copied the Crisscut, IMO.....

I would look at Emerald and Radiant before committing to a scissor cut of any size.
If Crisscut is preferred, of course, get it.