This ring, set with step-cut diamonds completely around its circumference, glides onto the finger very comfortably. Looking at it from above shows how two rounded 0.9-millimeter rails of yellow gold securely hold the 2.2-millimeter square diamonds in a channel setting. The sides of the ring are also slightly rounded, making it smooth to the touch and giving it a high sense of quality. The carefully finished open metalwork on the inside adds to its dignified character.

Records indicate that the step cut was already in existence by the 16th century, along with the brilliant cut. Yet the use off small, matched step cuts as calibrated stones only began during the Art Deco period (1920-1935). Calibrated, or standardized, stones are cut from rough to match their measurements, not to maximize the weight of each stone. Even though this means a little extra weight loss, it adds to their usefulness as components in jewelry. This development was a landmark event for jewelry design.

The earrings below are made of platinum, with a single row of baguettes channel set sideways, and bead-set round brilliants on either side of the channel. Baguettes are small, rectangular step cuts, and they shine with a clear, transparent beauty. This line of baguettes shows the characteristic strong, lustrous beauty of step-cut diamonds. In contrast, the line of round brilliant cuts on either side sparkle forth with more obvious dispersion. The beauty of these two types of cuts, so completely different that they look as though they are not even the same material, combines to become the focal point of the beauty of these earrings. Clearly, the step cut and the brilliant cut bring out the yin and yang of the beauty of diamonds.