Mixing step cuts and brilliant cuts

[Ionysis]

I’ve been reviewing my ring collection recently and I’ve noticed that I have developed a real aversion to mixing step cuts and brilliant cuts - especially in the same piece.

I’ve got a cushion sapphire with step cut caddys as side stones - which is a pretty classic collection but every time I wear it it drives me crazy having steps next to a brilliant cut. Ditto for my emerald cut yellow sapphire which has brilliant sides - although that bothers me less. Somehow rounds next to steps (like halos and side stones) bother me less that step sides next to brilliants.

It annoys me to such an extent I think I'm going to have to reset that sapphire.

I don’t even like wearing different pieces of jewellery which are a mixture of steps / squares and brilliants. The exclusion being my engagement ring which is a radiant - so basically a square brilliant - that I can tolerate with either.

Is it just me?

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

My best selling ring has round brilliants and baguettes

 

[Ionysis]

My best selling ring has round brilliants and baguettes

That’s really interesting. What’s the design like? Would love to see a photo.

The first ring my husband ever bought me was a brilliant and baguette cluster design which I do still love - it’s probably my most sentimental possession. Looks kind of like this.



The thing I really struggle with is bigger stones especially side stones of a different variety.

 

[Ionysis]

Oh that is lovely!

That’s actually a good idea Garry. Maybe I just need one like this to “tie in” the contrasting steps and brilliants? If I had a classic but striking combo ring, to bridge the divide, I could perhaps wear both types of stone together without going nuts. Like when I bought my yellow and white gold watch so I could tolerate wearing mixed metals (also still a bit of a struggle for me to be honest).

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Oh that is lovely!

That’s actually a good idea Garry. Maybe I just need one like this to “tie in” the contrasting steps and brilliants? If I had a classic but striking combo ring, to bridge the divide, I could perhaps wear both types of stone together without going nuts. Like when I bought my yellow and white gold watch so I could tolerate wearing mixed metals (also still a bit of a struggle for me to be honest).

Yes, just keep an open mind. BTW I am a director of PS and never sell to PSers.

 

[Ionysis]

Yes, just keep an open mind. BTW I am a director of PS and never sell to PSers.

Ah but you’d never know who I was if I bought from you in real life!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Ah but you’d never know who I was if I bought from you in real life!

If I found out I would have to kill you!

 

[lulu_ma]

I’ve been reviewing my ring collection recently and I’ve noticed that I have developed a real aversion to mixing step cuts and brilliant cuts - especially in the same piece.

I’ve got a cushion sapphire with step cut caddys as side stones - which is a pretty classic collection but every time I wear it it drives me crazy having steps next to a brilliant cut. Ditto for my emerald cut yellow sapphire which has brilliant sides - although that bothers me less. Somehow rounds next to steps (like halos and side stones) bother me less that step sides next to brilliants.

It annoys me to such an extent I think I'm going to have to reset that sapphire.

I don’t even like wearing different pieces of jewellery which are a mixture of steps / squares and brilliants. The exclusion being my engagement ring which is a radiant - so basically a square brilliant - that I can tolerate with either.

Is it just me?

For diamonds I totally agree with you. I think that was one of the things that bugged me about my mom’s old emerald cut and trillion setting. Even for melee, I’d prefer to use single cuts for step cuts and OECs.

I don’t have any colored gem/ diamond side stone combos so I can’t speak to that specifically.

 

[AllAboardTheBlingTrain]

I actually quite like the look of step and brilliant cuts together, if done well! Brilliant cut halos around step cut diamonds look great, as do step cut sides/accent stones for brilliant cut centre stones. I don’t like the idea of a step cut centre with brilliant cut sides though.

 

[diamondhoarder]

I think it completely depends on the design of the ring.

Here is my ring with baguettes and rounds. I love the contrast of the flashes from the baguettes and the sparkle from the rounds. Its my go-to ring for evenings out when I want a bit of bling



I also think a step cut in a delicate round briliiant halo can look amazing when the pave is bright cut.

Mixing the two types of cuts when one is used as an accent for the other can make a design pop a little more because of the contrast if its done well (just my opinion).

 

[Ionysis]

I think it completely depends on the design of the ring.

Here is my ring with baguettes and rounds. I love the contrast of the flashes from the baguettes and the sparkle from the rounds. Its my go-to ring for evenings out when I want a bit of bling



I also think a step cut in a delicate round briliiant halo can look amazing when the pave is bright cut.

Mixing the two types of cuts when one is used as an accent for the other can make a design pop a little more because of the contrast if its done well (just my opinion).

Now that I really like!!

 

[Ionysis]

Here is an example of what my odd OCD-ness can’t cope with.

 

[lulu_ma]

Totally with you. This bugged me.
To be fair, I also had issue with color match of diamonds, too.

 

[Agnasia]

This is really interesting to me as I’m considering a five stone that is a mix of round and emerald cuts. I’ve only ever worn rounds, but I like the look of round and baguette bands and think it will be a similar look.

 

[lulu_ma]

I want to clarify that my opinion does not apply to bands. It’s primarily center stones and larger side stones that I’m finicky about.

 

[Ionysis]

I want to clarify that my opinion does not apply to bands. It’s primarily center stones and larger side stones that I’m finicky about.

Yep me too

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

Here is an example of what my odd OCD-ness can’t cope with.

My socks barely match but even I can see this. Great illustration.

 

[LLJsmom]

Not just you. My eyes cannot. They get confused, step cuts and brilliant cuts. I may visual ADD.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

The worst is nice round brilliants next to fancy colored stones cut.
Stones that are cut to maximise color have very poor light return

 

[lulu_ma]

Um-okay, I found a ring I would make an exception for

 

[Ionysis]

Nnooooooo aaarghgh!

I love the utterly gorgeous stones, and I love three stone rings sooo much but I l’d need to separate those side stones from that sapphire or I would go crazy!

 

[Ibrakeforpossums]

The yellow warning light in my brain is flickering very faintly. I could put up with that ring for a VERY long time.

 

[Mreader]

Um-okay, I found a ring I would make an exception for

Oooooo pretty!!!

 

[baublelove]

I’ve been reviewing my ring collection recently and I’ve noticed that I have developed a real aversion to mixing step cuts and brilliant cuts - especially in the same piece.

I’ve got a cushion sapphire with step cut caddys as side stones - which is a pretty classic collection but every time I wear it it drives me crazy having steps next to a brilliant cut. Ditto for my emerald cut yellow sapphire which has brilliant sides - although that bothers me less. Somehow rounds next to steps (like halos and side stones) bother me less that step sides next to brilliants.

It annoys me to such an extent I think I'm going to have to reset that sapphire.

I don’t even like wearing different pieces of jewellery which are a mixture of steps / squares and brilliants. The exclusion being my engagement ring which is a radiant - so basically a square brilliant - that I can tolerate with either.

Is it just me?

Nope, not just you. I suffer from the same perspective of optical imbalance. However, mixing cuts doesn’t bother me with bypass and moi & toi rings.

 

[Ionysis]

Nope, not just you. I suffer from the same perspective of optical imbalance. However, mixing cuts doesn’t bother me with bypass and moi & toi rings.

That’s a really interesting point. Probably because the whole ring design for a toi et moi could be about deliberate contrast.

 

[icy_jade]

Here is an example of what my odd OCD-ness can’t cope with.

Yeah I also cannot. But I have halos with mixed cuts so am ok with mixed cuts in smaller diamonds.