Everything You Need to Know About Baguette Diamonds

Baguette diamonds stepped onto the scene in the 20th century as a modern and functional cut. Today, baguette diamonds have become a popular choice for three-stone engagement rings due to their shape and average carat size.

“You will usually find baguettes flanking a larger center diamond in a three-stone ring,” explains Olivia Landau, a GIA-certified gemologist and founder of The Clear Cut. “They are rarely used as a center stone for an engagement ring.” But that doesn’t make them any less desirable. They are less expensive than other cuts, so they make an excellent choice for someone on a budget, and their shape gives any ring a beautiful vintage look.

History of the Baguette Diamond

The baguette diamond was introduced during the 1920s Art Deco movement. “Reminiscent of the roaring ‘20s, the baguette diamond has a vintage nostalgia that is incredibly alluring,” Gemist founder and CEO Madeline Fraser tells Brides. “It was named for its elongated rectangular shape after a French baguette. It’s timeless in its classic beauty—a cut that will never go out of style.”

What to Look for in a Baguette Diamond

“Cut and clarity matter more when it comes to a baguette-cut diamond,” Fraser explains. “Baguette stones require fewer cuts than other cuts of diamonds. There are only 14 facets in a baguette-cut stone; this means that precision is important. With other stone cuts, you can get away with a lower clarity because many facets help to cover up imperfections.” If you choose a ring with baguette diamond side stones, you should make sure they match when laid side by side and that they don’t clash with the appearance of the center stone. 

While baguette diamonds are often accents, that certainly doesn’t mean they can’t be the center stone. “To really show off the shape and look of the stone, the best setting is solitaire or solitaire pavé,” says Fraser. “With this setting, the baguette stone can be oriented north/south for a classic look or east/west for a more modern approach.”

If you do choose a baguette as your center stone, keep this in mind: “They are not as brilliant as other popular cuts such as a round cut or even emerald cut,” cautions Mason Roberts, founder of Ringagement. “And because they don’t sparkle as well, their inclusions and color flaws are more visible.”

Baguettes vs. Emeralds

You might look at a baguette and an emerald and see similarities. Although these are both rectangular, long step-cuts, there are differences between the two. “Emerald cuts have 50-58 facets while baguettes have 14 facets,” Landau explains. “Baguettes tend to be longer and skinnier than emerald cuts and lack the distinctive cut corners. Emerald cuts can also be found in larger carat weights and are popular center stones, while baguettes are usually smaller accent stones.”

How to Care for Your Baguette Diamond

You can take care of your baguette diamond the same way you would take care of any other diamond. Keep it clean with jewelry cleaner or soap and warm water, and choose a well-made setting. “Since baguettes have pointed corners, you want to make sure that when they are set, the corners are protected,” Landau adds.