Diamonds come in many shapes and designs, depending on the effect the jewelers want to achieve. One of the most memorable diamond shapes is the bullet diamond. In this article, Benjamin Khordipoour G.G. will teach you everything you need to know before buying bullet diamonds.
What Are Bullet Diamonds?
The bullet diamond is a natural diamond professionally cut to the shape of a baguette with one end pointed, literally resembling the shape of an unshot bullet. In other words, the bullet diamond has three sides that resemble a rectangle, while the fourth side breaks off into two and comes to a point with a sharp point.
Bullet diamonds are most commonly used to accent the primary gemstone or design.
Bullet diamonds are typically step-cut, but they can also be a mix of a brilliant-cut, depending on their purpose and other diamonds featured in a ring. For example, if the center diamond is an emerald cut, step-cut bullet diamonds complement it nicely. In comparison, round diamonds look better next to a brilliant-cut bullet diamond.
Bullet Cut Diamond as Center Stone
It’s uncommon to see bullet-cut diamonds as a center stone in diamond rings. Why? Because their v-shaped tip makes them non-symmetrical and therefore off-balance.
They are usually part of a multiple-stone setting, emphasizing the center stone’s beauty.
That being said, bullet-cut diamonds can appear as center stones. In such cases, they are usually surrounded by an unequal balance of diamonds that over-complement the overall shape to reintroduce harmony into the design.
Bullet Cut Diamond as Side Stones
Bullet-cut diamonds are usually featured as side stones. Their shape ending with a pointed edge is a perfect way to transition to the shank and make it look thinner. When combined properly, bullet-cut diamonds can make the center stone look bigger and brighter. Since such diamonds are typically smaller, carat weight doesn’t play an important role. However, it’s essential to consider the color and clarity.
If you want bullet-cut diamonds as side stones, keep in mind that their color should be one grade lower than the center diamond. That way, they will be bright enough to highlight the center stone without looking yellow. Bullet-cut diamonds should never have a higher color grade than the center diamond because that would defeat their purpose. In such cases, bullet-cut diamonds would steal the show and make the center stone look yellow.
As you may know, diamonds have blemishes, inclusions, and various imperfections. But these imperfections aren’t always visible to the naked eye. If you want bullet-cut diamonds as side stones, there’s no need to look for flawless diamonds. Instead, choose those with eye-clean clarity. In other words, check whether the diamonds appear clean when you look at them. Their position and angle may allow you to go a grade or two lower, thus saving a substantial amount of money. Of course, if you want a pair of bullet-cut diamonds, ensure they have the same or very similar clarity grade.
Examples of Bullet Accenting Stones
We offer several engagement rings featuring bullet accent stones. These rings come in various shapes and designs, so everyone can find what they’re looking for. Some rings feature only diamonds, while others are combined with other gemstones. Our rings vary in price, carat weight, clarity, and color grades. Let’s take a look at them:
Thorseby Ring
Price: $15,500. Learn more about the Thorseby Ring.
If you like contrast, you’ll love this black-and-white ring inspired by the Art Deco era. This ring’s center stone is a near-colorless 1.24-carat old European-cut diamond. A polished onyx halo wraps around the center diamond and emphasizes its brilliance. Two bullet diamonds weighing 0.41 carats are placed on each shoulder, decorated with fine milgrain.
As you can see, bullet diamonds don’t have high-carat weights but still contribute immensely to the ring’s overall style and beauty. First, they highlight the contrast between the onyx and the center stone. This black-and-white combination is classy and unusual, and bullet diamonds blend perfectly. Secondly, the bullet diamonds smooth out the transition between the onyx and the shank, creating a well-rounded composition with no rough elements. Since they are wider than the shank, bullet diamonds make it appear thinner.
Deansgate Ring
Price: $60,000. Learn more about the Deansgate Ring.
The Deansgate Ring is undoubtedly one of the most impressive rings in our collection. It features a near-colorless 3.14 emerald-cut diamond as the center stone. Two bullet-shaped diamonds with a total weight of 0.80 carats adorn the sides. The entire ring is hand-crafted in platinum and decorated with fine milgrain that contributes to the sophisticated style.
Here, the two bullet-shaped diamonds are placed close to the center diamond. When looked at from afar, it appears as if the three stones are actually one bigger stone. The bullet-shaped diamonds blend perfectly with the center stone’s shape and cut to form a whole.
The York Ring
Price: Contact us. Learn more about The York Ring.
This spectacular ring features a stunning antique cushion-cut diamond set in four double prongs. The precious stone weighs a whopping 5.01 carats and has G color and VS2 clarity. What’s more, the weight and quality of the diamond are assured by a GIA certificate, which is available upon request.
Beautiful bullet-cut diamonds flank the center stone and total approximately 1.10 carats. This platinum piece is an excellent representation of how much class and character the bullet cut can add to a ring.
Califon Ring
Price: $3,800. Learn more about the Califon Ring.
This lovely ring centers around a 0.75-carat old European -cut diamond set in box prongs. Each shoulder is decorated with a single-cut diamond set in a bullet-shaped bezel. The ring is hand-crafted in 14k white gold and originates from the Retro era.
Contrary to popular belief, effective diamond rings don’t have to cost a fortune, and the Califon Ring proves it. It has a delicate, elegant style and goes perfectly with both casual and formal attire. Although the ring doesn’t feature bullet-shaped diamonds, it has a bullet-shaped bezel that serves as a bridge between the center stone and the shank. Because the bezel is lower than the center diamond, the stone appears bigger and brighter.
Westfield Ring
Price: $10,000. Learn more about the Westfield Ring.
If your bride loves contrast and gemstones, she’ll love this ring featuring emeralds and diamonds. Emeralds symbolize true love, beauty, balance, and growth making them perfect for engagement rings. The ring’s center stone is a 1.17-carat old European cut diamond. Three calibre bullet-shaped emeralds decorate each side, thus highlighting the center diamond. A halo of old European cut diamonds wraps around the center stone and the emeralds, forming an unusual shape inspired by the Art Deco era.
Diamonds aren’t the only stones that often feature a bullet-shaped design. This ring is a true example that emeralds can be just as effective in emphasizing the center stone and creating a unique and bold effect. Here, bullet-shaped emeralds are placed between the center stone and the halo, highlighting the ring’s different geometrical patterns.
Mildred Ring
Price: $8,500. Learn more about the Mildred Ring.
The Mildred Ring is anything but ordinary. This hand-crafted Retro era ring dates from around 1940, and it continues to impress. Let’s start with the center stone: it’s a 1.26-carat old European cut diamond set in prongs. Each shoulder is adorned with a single-cut diamond placed in a bullet-shaped bezel.
What makes this vintage ring so interesting is the combination of metals. The center stone is set in 14k yellow gold, while the shoulders are made of 14k white gold. The rest of the shank also features 14k yellow gold, thus creating a breathtaking contrast. Bullet-shaped bezels enhance this contrast and draw the eye toward the center stone and its brilliance.
Gloucester Ring
Price: $14,500. Learn more about the Gloucester Ring.
The Gloucester Ring features a floral design and is ideal for brides who love making a statement with jewelry. This ring’s center stone is a 1.78-carat oval rose-cut diamond set in prongs. It’s surrounded by a halo of old European cut diamonds that represent petals. The halo is connected to the shank by a diamond set in a bullet-shaped motif on each shoulder.
With the Gloucester ring, it’s all about the impressive center stone and halo. The bullet-shaped shoulders support the halo and smooth out the transition to the shank. They match the shank’s width to ensure the focus is on the central elements.
Talk to Jewelry Experts
Picking the right engagement ring can be overwhelming, especially because there are so many options. Besides the budget, you need to consider the ring’s style and ensure it matches your bride’s preferences.
If you need help choosing the perfect ring and aren’t sure what to focus on, reach out to us. Estate Diamond Jewelry has a team of jewelry experts that can assist you in your search. You can call us at (212) 265-3868 or send us an email. Moreover, you can schedule a showroom appointment to view our ring collection.
