Step cut
A family of cuts with long, flat facets arranged in rows parallel to the edge of the stone, like the steps of a staircase.
Emerald, baguette, carré and Asscher cuts are all step cuts. Instead of the sparkle of a brilliant, they give broad flashes of light and a calm, architectural look, which is why they were so favoured in Art Deco jewelry.
What to look for
Step cuts show the inside of a stone clearly, so inclusions are easier to see than in a brilliant. Clarity matters more, and so does the precision of the facet edges.
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