Book Appointment
A Cadillac cut diamond is a calibrated side stone that blends an elongated hexagon and a shield outline — flat, angled sides that taper from a broad end toward a narrower rounded or pointed end. The trade name comes from the outline’s resemblance to a vintage Cadillac tailfin or hood-ornament silhouette. Guru Diam stocks 468 Cadillac diamonds on hand, calibrated and matched, IGI-gradable on request.
What is a Cadillac cut diamond?
A Cadillac is a step-faceted side stone with a flat-sided, elongated outline that sits between a hexagon and a shield — broader and flatter across one end, narrowing and rounding toward the other, with straight angled edges rather than curves. The shape’s trade name is descriptive rather than technical: cutters and dealers named it for how the outline echoes a vintage Cadillac tailfin or hood-ornament profile, and the name stuck. As with most calibrated side stones, faceting is broad and step-cut, built to read as a clean, quiet accent rather than to throw fire.
What Cadillac side stones are used for
Cadillac-cut stones are used in Art Deco and vintage-style side-stone settings, most often flanking an emerald cut, baguette, or hexagon center stone where the flat, angled sides of the Cadillac echo the lines of a step-cut center. The elongated taper also makes it a natural fit running along a shank in a graduated side-stone design, or as a pair framing a step-cut center in a three-stone ring. Because the outline is directional — broad end and narrow end — Cadillac stones are always set with orientation in mind, typically in mirrored pairs.
Cadillac vs. Hexagon vs. Shield
| Spec | Cadillac | Hexagon | Shield |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outline | Elongated hexagon/shield hybrid, tapered | Flat-sided, six roughly even sides | Rounded top, pointed or flat bottom, broader shoulders |
| Symmetry | Directional — broad end to narrow end | Symmetric along both axes | Symmetric left-right only |
| Faceting | Step-cut | Step-cut or brilliant | Step-cut or brilliant |
| Typical use | Side stone, Art Deco settings | Center stone or accent | Side stone or accent |
What to check before you buy
Confirm which end is the broad end and which is the tapered end before ordering — Cadillac stones are directional, and a mismatched pair (one stone oriented backward relative to the other) is immediately visible in a symmetrical setting. Also check that the angled sides are cut cleanly straight rather than slightly bowed, since the shape’s identity depends on flat, crisp edges rather than curves. As with any step-cut side stone, ask about table and depth percentages if the piece will be viewed face-up in a low-profile setting.
Sourcing and matching
Guru Diam calibrates and matches Cadillac pairs and sets in-house — CVD lab-grown, IGI-gradable on request — cut to the taper and size a specific setting needs rather than approximated from generic step-cut stock. Open a wholesale account for live pricing and to request a matched pair or set for a specific project.
FAQ
What is a Cadillac cut diamond? A Cadillac cut diamond is a calibrated side stone with an elongated, flat-sided outline that blends a hexagon and a shield — broader at one end, tapering to a narrower rounded or pointed end. The name comes from the outline’s resemblance to a vintage Cadillac tailfin or hood-ornament profile.
What is a Cadillac cut diamond used for? Cadillac cuts are used as side stones in Art Deco and vintage-style settings, typically flanking an emerald cut, baguette, or hexagon center stone, or running along a shank in a graduated side-stone design.
How is a Cadillac cut different from a hexagon or shield? A Cadillac is directional and tapered — broader at one end than the other — while a true hexagon is symmetric along both axes and a shield has a rounded top with broader shoulders. All three are flat-sided, step-faceted shapes, but they suit different settings and pairing conventions.
Are Cadillac cut diamonds certified? They’re sold as calibrated pair/set goods, IGI-gradable on request, the same convention used for other side-stone shapes.
