When choosing the perfect ring, earrings or pendants there are a number of choices to be had.

Most people know what they do and don't like, but don't know why...

Here is a simple guide to differing styles, such as stone cuts, settings and gold techniques, that will change the way you look at style.

CUT

Round Brilliant - By far the most widely used cut in most jewellery. The light travels in a star formation, giving a brilliant show of light and fire.

Style = traditional

Princess - A modern looking cut that actually has its origins in 1961, when Aprad Nagy developed what is now known as the "Profile Cut". The modern day princess cut is now attributed to Basil Watermeyer, a diamond cutter from Johannesburg, who in 1971 developed developed the Barion Cut, which was either square, or square-octagonal. It is important to note that the spread is smaller on this stone than the round brilliant.

Style = Modern
 

Marquise - A 'bow tie' design. This cut is heavily dependant on the quality and precision of the cut. Famous for being the unliked ring in Sex and the City!

Style = Conservative

Emerald - This cut has a window like transparency, used often to accentuate a Princess stone.

Style = Elegant

Asscher Cut - often called the square emerald cut, has cropped corners and was designed in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers of Holland.

Style = Vintage

Trillion Cut- Usually used as a staging stone, this is a wedge, or triangle shaped stone. First designed in Amersterdam.

Stlye = Unique