Crisscut Cut

Crisscut is the creation of Christopher Slowinski, the owner of Christopher Designs. The company holds the design patent and registered trademark for this diamond cut.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND CUTTING ISSUES
The step-cut Crisscut has 77 facets, some of which are crisscrossed, and comes in two shapes: rectangular or octagonal. Triangular facets are applied to the steps in the pavilion. Rectangular Criss cuts come in calibrated sizes ranging from .05 to 3 carats and are used primarily in the manufacturing of jewelry, whereas octagonal Crisscuts, ranging in sizes from .15 to la-plus carats, are most often purchased as solitaires. The stones are cut in Israel. Emerald-cut rough is used for Crisscut, but the extra facets waste a little more rough than is used for an emerald cut. The demand for emerald-cut diamonds has caused the price of this type of rough to rise. Colors available range from D to J-L; qualities remain at, or above, S1.

MARKETS AND MARKETING
The Crisscut, which has been available since 1998, is being marketed through national consumer print ads in several magazines, including TOwn & Country, vogue, Robb Report, BridalGuide, Martha Stewart Weddings, In Style weddings, and W These consumer ads are tagged to regional retailers. The company has a web home page at www.christopherdesigns.com. Criss cuts, loose and set, are being sold to mid- to guild-level jewelers and retail designers. Most Crisscut jewelry sales are in the bridal category, but the company also manufactures a wide array of fashion jewelry. Christopher Designs' manufacturing processes include technological patents for invisibly set diamond jewelry and machineset, closed-end channel bands.

PRICING AND SUPPLY
The prices for Crisscut solitaires are discounted 20 to 25 percent off the Rapaport Diamond Report pear sheet pricing. According to the company, the cut costs only 10 percent more than traditional emerald or baguette cuts.

WHAT BUYERS SHOULD LOOK FOR
Look for diamonds with superior brilliance to conventional baguettes and emerald cuts. The Criss cut diamond is much more forgiving in SI qualities and faces two to three grades whiter than its counterparts.