You are hungry for a pear, and you want the ripest one you can find, but how do you go about that when there are so many factors to consider? Pear shaped diamonds are one of the oldest and most brilliant of all the diamond shapes with a classic, yet unique look to them. It takes great sill to create these diamonds, with their rounded bottom, elongated sides and pointed top. If you think about it, pear shaped diamonds resemble a tear drop, but I promise you will only shed tears of joy upon buying one and receiving one.
The History of the Pear Shape Diamond
The history of the pear-shaped diamond can be traced to Lodewyk van Bercken, a Flemish diamond cutter who lived in Bruges in the second half of the 15th century. Fun fact, van Bercken is credited with inventing the scaife, or the modern polishing wheel! He would spread a paste made of diamond dust mixed with olive oil which enabled the facets to be polished symmetrically, at angles which best reflect the light.
Van Bercken developed an earlier form of the Pear Shape, called the “Pendeloque” or “Briolette,” which is an elongated cut that was often drilled from top to bottom to hang as a bead. Although it was popular during the Victorian times, the most famous example of it is a 275-carat centerpiece of necklace presented in 1811 by French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte to his consort Marie Louise. If you want to see it, drop by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
The Basics of a Ripe Pear
Although we have written about the pear diamond before, here are just some quick facts to jog your memory.
- They have 58 facets
- The pavilion facets range from 4 to 8, this is the bottom half of the stone
- Most have length to width ratios between 1.45 and 1.75
- The end of the pear, or the point, is the most fragile element of the pear
- The table is the top of the stone
- The crown is the top half of the stone
- The girdle is where the facets meet to make the top and bottom half
- This cut is a cross between a round brilliant and a marquise cut
The Advantages of a Ripe Pear
It’s not easy to find the perfect pear, but when you do, you will salivate. Here are some advantages to a pear-shaped diamond.
- The cut is highly brilliant and has excellent fire
- It’s unique and unconventional in jewelry
- Versatile and suits any ring design or style
- Has a slimming effect on the finger
- Affordably priced
The Pear that Isn’t Quite Ripe
And, just like every ripe pear has its advantages, here are some things to look out for when you buy a pear that you want to avoid.
- Tends to have bow tie effect
- A well-cut pear diamond is rare – requires great skill to cut
- Vulnerable to breakage due to pointed tip
- Retains color
What’s a bow tie have to do with a pear?
A bow tie is the darkened section which lies across the fat part of the pears surface and occurs when there is not enough light reflecting from the surface of the diamond as well as if the facets that are misaligned.
These diamonds are susceptible to having a bow tie, ranging from being nearly undetectable to extremely severe. If the bow tie is the first thing that catches your eye when you look at the diamond, don’t buy it. Another fun fact, grading reports don’t mention bow ties, so be sure you see the diamond before you make a purchase. In other words, make an appointment with Jonathan’s Fine Jewelers to come see our selection instead of buying one online.
How to Protect Your Pear
Ok, this is an important one, and if you go with a custom jeweler…..like us…then you will be assured that your pear will be protected with the right setting.
- A 5-prong setting has a V-shaped tip that protects the point, and the prongs hold the diamond in place
- A 6-prong setting have a prong that on the bottom that is wide enough to protect the point and is the most common setting.
- A halo setting protects all the edges and can add an extra sparkle to the stone.
The Bottom Line on Where to Buy the Ripest Pear?
So many factors go into buying a pear, and you really need to see the color, clarity, shape, and if it has a bow tie on, so definitely don’t buy ripe pears from Instacart. Go and do your own shopping and come to Jonathan’s Fine Jewelers. We have the largest selection of pear-shaped diamonds, and we guarantee we offer the best prices. Make an appointment today!
