Everything You Need to Know About Baguette Diamonds 

While baguette diamonds aren’t typically used as center stones, they make wonderful side stones. Not only are baguette diamonds used as accents on engagement rings, but they can also accompany eternity rings and wedding bands. What makes them special is their “stepped” appearance, which creates an effect known as the “hall of mirrors.” 

Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about baguette diamonds and why you should choose a diamond engagement ring with baguette-cut accents. 

• What are Baguette Diamonds?
• Are Baguette Diamonds Expensive? 
• Baguette Diamonds vs. Emerald Cut Diamonds 
• Top 7 Tips for Choosing a Diamond Ring With Baguettes 
• Talk to a Diamond Expert

What Are Baguette Diamonds? 

Baguette diamonds have an elongated, rectangular shape, and they belong to a group of diamond cuts called step cut diamonds. Due to their parallel facets, these types of diamonds resemble steps when you look at them from above. Aside from the baguette cut, step cut diamonds include emerald-cut and Asscher-cut diamonds. 

The reason this diamond shape is called a baguette cut is because it translates to “rod” or “stick” in French. However, many others believe it got the name from the French bread stick of the same name. 

Since diamonds with a baguette cut have long table-like surfaces and straight lines, they allow for stunning reflections. They’re also known for creating the so-called “hall of mirrors” effect. 

Baguette diamonds usually have a ratio of 3:1 or 5:1, and they’re rarely square-shaped. They have 14 cuts or facets that are made as straight lines, as opposed to more traditional cuts. For example, the old European cut typically has more than 50 facets, while emerald-cut diamonds have around 58 facets. This makes baguette diamonds less sparkly and more elegant. 

They usually come in smaller sizes, which makes them perfect side stones. This is because they showcase the center stone without drawing attention away from it. They’re also quite popular elements in three-stone diamond engagement rings. These types of rings are also referred to as trinity rings or trilogy rings. In addition, baguette cuts make wonderful additions to eternity rings and wedding bands. 

Are Baguette Diamonds Expensive? 

Compared to other types of diamond cuts, baguette cut stones don’t command such high prices. Step cut diamonds, like baguette, Asscher, and emerald-cut diamonds can be 12% to 42% more affordable per carat than round-cut diamonds with the same carat weight. 

In the case of baguette stones, the clarity and size dictate their value the most. That being said, this diamond cut usually comes with a lower carat weight, making clarity the most important value-determining factor. However, there are other elements that can influence a baguette diamond’s price. For example, the depth of the pavilion, the table size, and the angle of the crown all influence the diamond’s value. 

Another thing to consider is the diamond’s availability. As opposed to emerald-cut diamonds, which come in a variety of sizes, large baguette diamonds are hard to come by. Bigger baguette diamonds, especially tapered baguettes, naturally come at a higher price. 

Baguette Diamonds vs. Emerald Cut Diamonds 

At first glance, baguette diamonds and emerald-cut diamonds look very similar. However, emerald-cut diamond rings are much more popular than baguette diamond rings. That’s because emerald-cut diamonds are one of the most sought-out options for center stones. 

While emerald-cut diamonds are much more versatile, baguette diamonds are rarely used as center stones. Instead, they typically are set on the ring’s shoulders and combine well with a variety of diamond cuts. The reason why they don’t make ideal center stones is that they don’t sparkle as well as emerald cuts or other diamond shapes. 

That being said, baguette diamonds can be used as center stones. They can have a north-south design for a more traditional look and a south-west setting, which is more modern. Diamonds with a baguette cut also make your fingers look slimmer. Even if you have long, thin fingers, an elongated shape like the baguette cut will only complement their length. 

As opposed to emerald-cut diamonds, which have polished corners, baguette diamonds have right-angled corners. They can also have a tapered shape, forming a narrowed trapezoid. Tapered baguette diamonds are usually set on the shoulders of a ring. They can also be grouped together and shaped like a fan on each side. 

When it comes to settings, emerald-cut diamonds look good with bezel, pave, three-stone, solitaire, halo-style, double halo-style settings, and more. On the other hand, baguette-cut diamonds are best displayed in channel settings, where the diamonds are set between two walls of metal. That’s why they’re ideal for eternity rings and wedding bands. 

Baguette diamonds and emerald-cut diamonds actually go well together when the center stone has an emerald cut and is flanked by baguette diamonds on each side. So, if you’re not sure which cut to choose consider getting a combination of the two. 

Diamond Ring With Baguette Diamonds on Side 

The most popular types of baguette diamonds are engagement rings, where baguette diamonds are set on each side. The beauty of this combination is that baguette-cut accents go with a wide variety of diamond shapes. Take a look at some diamond rings with baguette side diamonds that Diamond Estate Jewelry has to offer: 

Sea Cliff Ring 

This diamond engagement ring captures how well baguette diamonds and emerald-cut diamonds go together. The emerald-cut ring is the center stone, weighing 5.31 carats. Both sides of the diamond are adorned by a baguette diamond, while the ring is handcrafted in platinum. 

Sanremo Ring 

The Sanremo ring is stunning from all sides. It also features an emerald-cut diamond with 5.05 carats. The ring is set in prongs, and it’s flanked by baguette diamonds on the ring’s shoulders. The emerald-cut diamond measures 9.81mm x 8.59mm x 5.91mm. 

Vintage Elm Park Ring 

If you’re looking for a solitaire diamond engagement ring with baguette diamonds on the sides, take a look at the Vintage Elm Park ring. The center stone has an old European cut and 0.72 carats. It’s also vintage, made in the 1920s. Two baguette diamonds sit on each shoulder of the ring. 

Doylestown Ring 

For those who would like a diamond engagement ring with elevated baguette diamonds, take the Doylestown ring into consideration. This ring is both extravagant and sophisticated, featuring a GIA-certified elongated cushion cut diamond. The center diamond weighs 2.02 carats, and it has an F color. There are three bezel-set baguette diamonds on each side of the center diamond. 

Rising Popularity of Baguette Diamond Wedding Bands 

Step cut diamonds became extremely popular during the Art Deco era in the 1920s, when geometric shapes were everywhere. Due to their clear-cut lines and clean looks, baguette diamond rings were thought to be quite sophisticated. During this period, they weren’t only used for rings, but necklaces, earrings, and brooches as well. They were also commonly used for costume jewelry. After the 1930s, traditional cuts, like the old European cut, came back into style, leading to the birth of the baguette cut. 

Despite the changing trends, baguette stones will always be a wonderful choice for an engagement ring. What’s more, they are also commonly paired with eternity rings. Considering that emerald-cut diamonds usually don’t come in small sizes, baguette-cut diamonds are a much better option. 

For eternity rings, they’re set in channel settings and bar settings. These types of rings have a baguette style which complements them perfectly. Baguette-style eternity rings can be elegant and simple or bold and extravagant. What makes them so charming is that they capture the vintage spirit from the Roaring Twenties, combined with contemporary elements. A diamond ring with baguette-cut stones will always be a classic piece that will never go out of style. 

Men’s Baguette Diamond Ring 

For men who want to do something different with their wedding ring, an integrated baguette diamond is the perfect solution. They come in a variety of styles, whether they feature only one baguette diamond on the center of the band or they’re entirely set with these step-cut stones. In fact, they would look stunning on gold, silver, and platinum bands. 

Men’s wedding rings don’t have to be plain and ordinary, especially if it’s a piece of jewelry intended to be worn for the rest of one’s life. Choosing a wedding ring with one diamond is the optimal way to make your wedding ring stand out without being too flashy. Since baguette diamonds look the best when they have a smaller carat weight, a single-colored wedding band is the ideal setting. 

To make your gold ring even more stylish, choose a colored diamond, like a champagne-color diamond, that will match the shade of the ring. 

Do Round Diamonds and Baguette Diamonds Match? 

Unlike round or brilliant cuts, baguette diamonds are more elegant, minimalistic, and subtle. However, can round diamonds and baguette diamonds go together? The answer is yes, they can. Even though baguette-cut side stones usually accompany emerald-cut or cushion-cut center diamonds, they can also be paired with round diamonds. 

The truth is that there is no limit to how your engagement ring can look. If you like how baguette-cut diamonds compliment the center stone, you can pair them with a round cut, an old European cut, an emerald cut, or any other diamond shape. 

For example, take a look at the Charleston ring, which is a vintage piece made in the 1950s. This is a solitaire-style diamond engagement ring, featuring a 1.51-carat diamond. One baguette-cut diamond is flanked on each side of the ring’s shoulder, and they weigh 0.20 carats in total. The diamonds are set on platinum mounting, which makes it even more stunning. These two diamond cuts look magnificent together, and the baguette stones don’t take away too much attention from the center stone. 

There are many other rings, like the Charleston ring, in Estate Diamond Jewelry’s collection. 

Cleaning a Baguette Diamond 

Baguette diamonds are actually more prone to breaking and chipping than other types of diamond cuts. Since the entire diamond’s elongated surface is exposed, and due to their square corners, it’s much easier to scratch or damage them. The diamond can also become dirty and lose its shine over time, especially if you use hairspray, hand cream, lotion, and similar products. That’s why you need to be careful when you wear and clean your baguette-cut diamond engagement ring. 

Cleaning your baguette-cut diamond ring needs to be done gently, with lukewarm water and mild soap. You can clean the diamond with a soft cloth or a toothbrush. Just remember not to apply too much pressure. While it’s true that diamonds are one of the hardest minerals on Earth, they can still be scratched or chipped if you don’t treat them with care. 

You should clean it once a week. It’s generally advised to avoid any type of harsh chemicals, as this might damage the diamond. In absolutely no circumstances should you use acetone, bleach, or chlorine to clean your baguette diamond. 

Another option you have, if you don’t want to risk damaging your diamond, is to take it to your jeweler to get it professionally cleaned. Some jewelers use ultrasonic cleaners with high-frequency sound waves to clean diamond engagement rings and other types of jewelry. However, some believe that these cleaning methods are too harsh for diamonds. 

Moreover, make sure to keep your baguette diamond stored in a safe place, like a jewelry box. Plus, take the ring off when you’re washing dishes, cleaning, or doing anything else that might break the diamond. 

As long as you clean your baguette diamond regularly, you shouldn’t have anything to worry about. 

Top 7 Tips for Choosing a Diamond Ring With Baguettes 

Before you buy a diamond ring with baguette accents, there are a number of factors you need to consider. Here are seven tips to keep in mind when shopping for an engagement ring with baguette diamonds: 

1. Clarity Is the Most Important Factor 

Baguette diamonds only have 14 facets, unlike more traditional diamond cuts. The more facets a diamond has, the more imperfections can be covered. That’s why clarity is one of the most important quality-determining factors to look for when buying baguette diamonds. Since they aren’t as brilliant as emerald cut and old European cut diamonds, their imperfections are much more visible to the naked eye. Look for baguette diamonds with fewer inclusions and a VS1 or VS2 clarity. 

2. Find an Evenly Cut Diamond 

When shopping for baguette-cut diamonds, you need to consider the diamond’s proportions. More important than the style of the center stone is a diamond with good symmetry. This also applies to the balance between the width and the length of the diamond. Look for a diamond with parallel lines, as this will elevate the whole ring’s appearance. 

3. Color Ratings 

When it comes to the color of the baguette diamond, it’s highly recommended to choose a stone with a G or H color rating. These color ratings will accentuate your diamond’s beauty, since baguette-cut stones reflect their color to a higher degree. What’s more, other types of diamond cuts will appear whiter than a baguette-but stone that has the same color grade. 

4. Decide on a Setting 

As we mentioned before, baguette diamonds are usually set on the ring’s shoulders, but they can also be used as center stones. Whichever combination you choose is up to you, although the former is much more popular and easier to find. It’s also vital to make sure the settings of the two baguette side stones match those of the center diamond. This doesn’t only apply to the settings, but the color and clarity grades. They should be as similar as possible, or at least two grades below the center stone. If the color and clarity grades are too different, the center stone will completely overshadow the baguette accents. 

5. Choose a Worthy Center Stone 

Baguette diamonds are paired with center stones to make them stand out even more. That being said, it’s important to find a center stone that goes well with baguette accents. You can pair them with a round, brilliant-cut, or even emerald-cut diamond. 

6. Think About the Style 

Note that baguette diamonds sparkle less than other types of diamond cuts. However, just because they aren’t as brilliant as other diamond cuts doesn’t mean they’re not charming in their own way. In terms of style, you can choose a vintage engagement ring from the Art Deco or Art Noveau periods or more modern rings with baguette-cut stones. 

7. Straight-Cut Baguette vs. Tapered Baguette 

If you opt for straight-cut baguette diamonds, you will be able to place them one beside the other. Thanks to their parallel lines, there won’t be any gaps, allowing for a more streamlined appearance. On the other hand, if you choose tapered baguette diamonds, usually only one is set on either shoulder. It boils down to personal preference, since both baguette diamond styles are seamlessly elegant. 

Talk to a Diamond Expert 

Baguette diamonds have a striking appearance and a sophisticated, eye-clean design that will never go out of style. Whether you’re searching for vintage diamond engagement rings from the Art Deco era or more modern pieces, Estate Diamond Jewelry offers stunning baguette diamonds that can exceed your expectations. 

If you are interested in one of the rings mentioned in this article, or if you would like to take a look at our collection of vintage diamond engagement rings with baguette side stones, feel free to contact us. You can view our entire vintage engagement ring collection here.

If you would like to see any of these rings in person, you also have the option to schedule an appointment at our NY showroom.