Step polishing is a type of fancy diamond cut for square diamonds. The popular styles of this type of polishing are the “Asscher” and “Emerald” Cuts.
A diamond with a step polish has four parallel facets that are cut in lengthwise and widthwise steps in order to maintain its square shape. Its shape may be a square, a rectangle, or a trapeze depending on the desired effect. The cut’s name is derived from the stair-like shape that the diamond displays at the end of the process.
A diamond with a step polish has fewer facets than a brilliant cut diamond, but the final result yields more in terms of carats after cutting the rough stone.
Step polishing has been used in recent years in the popular Princess Cut, which includes two styles of cuts – the step cut in the first stage, and the brilliant cut in the second stage, which adds luster.
