There’s something about an emerald cut gemstone that feels instantly glamorous. Clean lines, clipped corners and long flashes of light give it a distinctive look that is elegant, architectural and a little bit old-school.
Now, one of our favourite classic gemstone cuts has officially joined The Workbench gemstone collection, giving you even more ways to make your own jewellery personal.
Where did the emerald cut come from?
Despite its name, the emerald cut isn’t exclusive to emeralds. The technique was originally developed in the 1500s specifically for cutting emeralds, which are relatively fragile and can be prone to cracks and chips during the cutting process.
The solution was clever. The vulnerable corners of the stone were clipped, creating the distinctive octagonal outline we recognise today. These clipped corners weren’t just for aesthetics. They helped make the stone more durable and reduce pressure during the cutting process.
The name stuck, and although the cut was originally associated with emeralds, emerald cut gemstones are now found in everything from diamonds and sapphires to colourful semi-precious stones.
The cut that became an Art Deco icon
Fast forward a few centuries and the emerald cut found a whole new audience.
During the 1920s and 1930s, its clean geometry and strong lines fitted perfectly with the bold, architectural style of Art Deco jewellery. The emerald cut became synonymous with the era, bringing a sense of symmetry, glamour and sophistication to rings and other jewellery.
And it still feels remarkably modern today.
The “hall of mirrors” effect
One of the things that makes an emerald cut so special is the way it reflects light.
Unlike brilliant cuts, which use lots of small facets to create intense sparkle, an emerald cut uses long, parallel step-cut facets. These create broader flashes of light and a beautiful reflective effect that is often described as a “hall of mirrors”.
The large top facet acts almost like a window into the gemstone, allowing you to see its natural colour and clarity rather than disguising imperfections beneath lots of sparkle.
A standard emerald cut gemstone has around 57 to 58 facets across the whole stone, carefully arranged to create its distinctive look.
It’s a quieter kind of sparkle, but one that definitely knows how to make an entrance.
Emerald cut gemstones at The Workbench
We’ve added emerald cut gemstones to our Gemstone Collection, so you can now play with this iconic shape when creating your own jewellery.
Choose from:
- Garnet
- Morganite
- Peridot
- Blue Tourmaline
- Green Tourmaline
- Smoky Quartz
- Ruby
- Emerald
- Aquamarine
- Lab-grown diamond
And for sapphires, there’s a whole rainbow to choose from, including white, blue, red, orange, yellow, pink, lilac and sky blue in 3 x 2mm.
Whether you love the deep green of an emerald, the soft pink of a morganite or something a little more unexpected, there’s an emerald cut gemstone to suit your style.
Make the emerald cut your own
The best thing about a classic is finding your own way to wear it.
Our emerald cut gemstones are available now to add to your Workbench rings and pendants, alongside all the usual ways to personalise your design. Keep it simple and let the shape do the talking, or add engraving, an imprint or other gemstones to create something completely your own.
A 500-year-old cutting technique, an Art Deco icon and now a new way to personalise your jewellery.
Classic shape. Your take on it.