The Ideal Length-to-Width Ratio for Pear Cut Stones

Posted on April 09, 2015 by Mary Hood | 1 Comment

A perfectly cut pear-shaped gem may be a rare find, but they’re certainly worth pursuing. Pear stones show color beautifully and often impart a vintage charm.

A perfectly cut pear-shaped gem may be a rare find, but it is certainly worth pursuing. Pear stones show color beautifully and can impart a vintage charm to any piece.

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Gems are categorized, in part, by their shape. There are round stones, princess-cut stones, cushion-cut stones, and a variety of fancy cut stones, like pear, marquise, and heart, to name a few. But ways to categorize a stone by its shape don’t stop there, for not all diamonds described as “heart” are equal—and the same goes for any shape of stone. The length-to-width ratio, in particular, affects the appearance of marquise, emerald, princess, pear, heart, and oval cuts.

The Ideal Lenght-to-Width Ratio for Pear Cut Stones | Barbara Michelle Jacobs

Unlike most cuts, pears are asymmetrical. This unique quality makes them special—but it also means that the cutting process can easily go awry. Talk to your jeweler about hunting for the perfect pear gem with a 2:1 length-to-width-ratio.

This article focuses on the ideal length-to-width ratio for pear stones. A pear gem has two ends—one that’s rounded and one that comes to a sharp point. Today's modified brilliant pear is a combination of a round and a marquise shape which has two pointed ends. Pears are one of the trickiest cuts to shop for because it can prove challenging to find one with the right length-to-width ratio, which is 2:1, according to the Gemological Institute of America. When cut in another ratio, pear diamonds can appear either stubby or too long and fail to be as visually pleasing. Stones not of the ideal length-to-width ratio may have a lower value in the diamond and gem market.

The length-to-width ratio is calculated by dividing the diamond’s length by its width. These measurements can be found on the stone's certificate. The certificate cannot tell you everything about a stone, however. Keep in mind that even a pear stone with the right length-to-width ratio may have a boxy or triangular rounded end. It’s always best to see photos of a stone or see it in person before making a purchase.

A pear shaped diamond is usually worn with the narrow end pointing toward the finger tips of the wearer and has the added benefit of making fingers appear longer and slimmer.

Photos: Barbara Michelle Jacobs Jewelry

Posted in Diamonds, fancy cut, fancy cut ratio, gemological institute of america, gems, gemstones, informative, jewelry, length to width ratio, pear cut, pear shaped diamond