Step Cut The Essential 7C's Introduction Round Brilliant Cut Modified Brilliant Cuts Step Cuts Mixed Cuts Vintage Cuts Step Cuts Emerald Shape Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor Depth % 58 to 65 55 to 70 52 to 75 50 to 80 >50 or <80 Table % 60 to 65 59 to 70 56 to 75 53 to 79 >53 or <80 Symmetry Good to excellent Good to excellent Good to excellent Fair to Excellent Poor to Excellent Polish Good to excellent Good to excellent Good to excellent Fair to Excellent Poor to Excellent Asscher Shape Excellent Very Good Good Fair Poor Depth % 58 to 65 55 to 70 52 to 75 50 to 80 >50 or <80 Table % 60 to 65 59 to 70 52 to 75 50 to 80 >50 or <80 Symmetry Good to excellent Good to excellent Good to excellent Fair to Excellent Poor to Excellent Polish Good to excellent Good to excellent Good to excellent Fair to Excellent Poor to Excellent Step cuts mainly include the Emerald and Asscher cuts. They have sloping, four-sided facets that are cut below the table and run parallel to the diamond's girdle. Their corners are generally cut, as square corners would be weaker and could cause the diamond to fracture. The advantage of step cuts is that they preserve more of the weight of the raw diamond than brilliant cuts, however they can also make inclusions and flaws appear more obvious. Because both the pavilion and crown are comparatively shallow, step cut stones are generally not as bright or fiery as brilliant cut stones, but they do accentuate a diamond's clarity and give the diamond a less cluttered and a purer or more transparent appearance. Because of the transparency, cut grades for step cuts are generally considered less important than for brilliant cuts. Further Reading Anatomy of a Diamondand the effects of light Cut Grading Polishing (Cut) Process Hearts and Arrows