The shape of a Diamond dictates the its geometry and form. Whether it's the timeless Round or the distinct Marquise, each shape brings forth unique characteristics and gorgeousness to the table. Round diamonds have been dominating sales for a long time, shapes like the Radiant, Princess and Cushion also have captivating appeal. Newer shapes like the Pear, Oval and Emerald are gaining popularity because of celebrities like Anne Hathaway, Mariah Carey, Blake Lively and Ariana Grande wearing them.
Choosing a diamond shape is a personal journey, one that is intricately connected to your style and preferences—we will precisely guide you through that in this article.
The following topics will be discussed in this article.
- What are the most common diamond shapes
- Contrast between Diamond shape and Diamond cut
- What are the most popular Diamond shapes?
- What is the Optimal clarity for diamond shapes
- Common Questions Regarding Diamond Shapes & Cuts
- D for D Recommendations
What are the most common diamond shapes
Explore our diamond shapes guide to plan your budget while aligning with your unique taste and style. With these insights, you can confidently choose a diamond that promises lasting admiration and joy.
Dive into each style below to delve deeper into the world of the most sought-after diamond shapes.
Contrast between Diamond shape and Diamond cut
Diamond cut and diamond shape are most often thought of as the same thing. This is quite confusing. Understanding the distinction between the two enhances one's ability to make informed choices when selecting diamonds.
Definition:
Diamond cut refers to ‘how well a diamond has been shaped, faceted, and finished’. It focuses on the diamond's interaction with light, including the angles and proportions of its facets.
Diamond Shape refers to ‘the external form or outline of the diamond when viewed from the top’. It includes various geometric shapes like Round, Princess, Emerald, etc.
Perception of sparkle:
The cut influences how well a diamond interacts with light, determining its sparkle and shine. A well-cut diamond reflects and refracts light effectively, resulting in brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
Different shapes offer distinct aesthetics but don't directly impact how the diamond interacts with light. For example, an oval shaped diamond may be cut either shallow or deep, dull or brilliant. The sparkle depends on the cut irrespective of the shape.
Grading:
Cut quality is graded as Ideal, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, or Poor. The popular diamond Shapes are Round, Princess, Emerald, Asscher, Marquise, Oval, Pear, Radiant, Cushion, Heart, etc.
What are the most popular Diamond shapes?
1. Round brilliant cut Diamonds
The round brilliant diamond is a diamond cut with 58 facets that is highly popular for its exceptional brilliance and fire. This cut is designed to maximize light reflection and refraction, resulting in a diamond that sparkles intensely. Round brilliant diamonds represent about 75% of diamonds sold. The round brilliant cut is a classic choice that highlights a diamond's natural beauty and is a favorite for those seeking a combination of elegance and dazzling brilliance.
Ideal Length to width ratio: You can choose a length to width ratio of 1.0 – 1.02
Strong points: Timeless Elegance – The round brilliant cut is known for its classic and timeless appeal. Its universally flattering shape never goes out of style.
Setting Compatibility: Prong settings (especially six prong settings), Halo and bezel settings are most popular for round brilliant diamonds. They make your round diamond appear larger and allow maximum light exposure.
2. Princess cut diamonds
Princess cut diamonds combine a chic square shape with brilliant faceting for exceptional sparkle, second in popularity to round brilliant diamonds. Princess cuts are a modern choice, ideal for those who appreciate a mix of traditional sparkle and a modern aesthetic.
Ideal Length to width ratio: You can choose a length to width ratio of 1.0 – 1.04. The ideal ratio of a rectangular princess cut is 1.07 to 1.15.
Strong points: Modern Sophistication - The Princess cut diamond works well with a variety of ring designs, from classic to avant-garde. Their unique, sharp corners and efficient cut make them a cost-effective and stylish choice, versatile for various ring settings.
Setting Compatibility: Prong settings and bezel settings work well for princess-cut diamonds. V-prong settings can also be used to protect the corners.
3. Oval shape Diamonds
Oval cut diamonds, with their elongated shape and brilliant faceting, create the illusion of greater size and lend a slenderizing effect to the fingers. Oval diamonds are a modified version of the round brilliant, maintaining similar brilliance, appealing to a wide range of preferences.
Ideal Length to width ratio: You can choose a length to width ratio of 1.35 to 1.50. Diamonds that are in this range, will not be too round or too pointy. A lower ratio means a plumper oval, and a higher ratio means a skinnier one!
Strong points: Flattering Elegance - Oval cut diamond blends timeless elegance with a unique style, making it versatile for various hand shapes and ring designs. It is perfect for those seeking a unique twist on traditional designs, making fingers appear longer and more elegant.
Setting Compatibility: Prong settings (especially six-prong settings), are common for oval diamonds. Bezel settings can also offer protection to the delicate edges.
4. Cushion cut Diamonds
Cushion cut diamonds, known for their pillow-like appearance with rounded corners, exude a soft, romantic charm. The cushion cut is known for its fire and is often considered a symbol of luxury and elegance.
Ideal Length to width ratio: For square cushions, you can choose a length to width ratio of 1.0 – 1.05. For rectangular cushions, you can choose a length to width ratio of 1.15 – 1.2.
Strong points: Soft Elegance - Cushion cut diamonds can range from square to rectangular, fitting many styles. It can accentuate color, making it a great choice for colored diamonds.
Setting Compatibility: Prong settings and halo settings complement cushion-cut diamonds. The halo setting adds extra sparkle and can make the diamond appear larger.
5. Emerald cut Diamonds
The emerald cut emphasizes the diamond's clarity and natural beauty, offering a more subtle brilliance than other shapes. With its clean lines and elegant appearance, the emerald cut is a favorite for those who prefer a sophisticated, vintage-inspired look.
Ideal Length to width ratio: You can choose a length to width ratio of 1.3 – 1.5 for an emerald cut diamond.
Strong points: Elegant Transparency - The emerald cut diamond, renowned for its sophisticated and elongated lines, offers a larger visual presence than other cuts of the same carat weight. Its distinctive step-cut facets and open table enhance clarity and transparency and create a dramatic "hall of mirrors" effect, blending vintage allure with a showcase of purity and color.
Setting Compatibility: Halo settings and three-stone settings are popular for emerald-cut diamonds. These settings add extra sparkle and complement the clean lines of the emerald shape.
6. Pear shaped Diamonds
The pear-shaped diamond, has a unique teardrop silhouette, combining the brilliance of a round cut with the elegance of a marquise, offering a harmonious blend of symmetry and sophistication. The most common way to wear a pear shape is with the top pointing up to your fingertips and the spherical bottom pointing toward your hand.
Ideal Length to width ratio: To create a visually appealing and balanced pear shaped diamond, you can choose a length to width ratio of 1.45 – 1.75.
Strong points: Graceful Symmetry - The pear-shaped diamond elongates the appearance of the finger and provides a larger visual size per carat. Its versatility extends beyond rings to include earrings and pendants, making it a feminine and distinctive choice for various types of jewelry.
Setting Compatibility: Prong settings and bezel settings work well for pear-shaped diamonds. A V-prong setting can protect the pointed end.
7. Marquise cut Diamonds
The marquise cut diamond is known for its elongated shape with pointed ends. Marquise cut diamonds are very versatile, and their unique shape makes them perfect in vintage styles and as stunning solitaire gems.
Ideal Length to width ratio: The ideal length to width ratio of a marquise cut diamond should range between 1.75 – 2.25 with the length being approximately twice the width.
Strong points: Maximized Carat Weight - The marquise cut diamond is renowned for maximizing the visual size of the carat weight, offering one of the largest surface areas among diamond cuts. The efficient cutting process of the marquise cut diamond minimizes waste of the rough stone, often resulting in a more cost-effective choice.
Setting Compatibility: Prong settings and bezel settings are suitable for marquise-cut diamonds. V-prong settings can add an extra layer of security for the pointed ends.
8. Asscher cut Diamonds
The Asscher cut is similar to the emerald cut but is square in shape with cropped corners. The Asscher cut is known for its deep pavilion and high crown, offering a unique brilliance. It's a favorite for those who are drawn to vintage and Art Deco styles, offering a sophisticated and artistic appeal.
Ideal Length to width ratio: For an asscher cut diamond you can aim for a length to width ratio of 1.0 – 1.05 for an ideal look.
Strong points: Art Deco Allure - The Asscher cut diamond, has an Art Deco allure. Its step-cut facets offer a unique blend of vintage and modern aesthetics. The large open facets highlight the stone's clarity, offering a sophisticated and understated brilliance.
Setting Compatibility: Prong settings and bezel settings enhance the beauty of Asscher-cut diamonds. A four-prong setting can highlight the square shape.
9. Radiant cut Diamonds
The Radiant Cut combines the elegant emerald cut's shape with the brilliant round cut's sparkle and is known for its vibrant and lively appearance. Radiant cuts are perfect for those who desire a luminous glow with a contemporary edge.
Ideal Length to width ratio: For square radiant cuts, you can choose a length to width ratio between 1.0 and 1.05. For elongated radiant cuts, you can choose a length to width ratio of up to 2.0
Strong points: Versatility - The radiant cut diamond can be square or rectangular, appealing to various tastes. The cut corners enhance durability and reduce the risk of chipping.
Setting Compatibility: Radiant diamonds pair well with halo settings and three-stone settings. These settings add extra brilliance and accentuate the shape of the radiant cut.
10. Heart-shaped Diamonds
The heart-shaped diamond is a specialty cut that requires skilled craftsmanship. A symbol of love and romance, heart-shaped diamonds are often chosen for their emotional symbolism as much as their beauty.
Ideal Length to width ratio: To establish perfect symmetry and authentic look for a heart shaped diamond, you can aim for a length to width ratio of 1.0
Strong points: Romantic Symbolism - The heart-shaped diamond has a distinctive shape making it a popular choice for sentimental jewelry. It is very effective in highlighting the color of fancy colored diamonds.
Setting Compatibility: Prong settings, especially three-prong or five-prong settings, are popular for heart-shaped diamonds. Bezel settings can also be used to create a smooth and elegant look.
What is the Ideal clarity for diamond shapes
Diamond clarity pertains to the presence or absence of inclusions and blemishes. Diamonds devoid of these natural marks are considered rare, impacting the overall value of the diamond. Employing the GIA International Diamond Grading System™, diamonds receive a clarity grade spanning from flawless (FL) to diamonds with noticeable inclusions (I3). - Gemological Institute of America (GIA)
The minimum clarity grade to consider can be influenced by the specific shape of a diamond. A diamond clarity chart provides information on the quantity, size, and types of imperfections present in a diamond. The top clarity grade is FL (Flawless), indicating a diamond entirely devoid of inclusions even when examined under intense magnification.
While the pursuit of a flawless diamond is common, the objective should instead be to find diamonds that are "eye-clean," signifying that they have no noticeable inclusions when viewed without magnification. Often, a VVS or VS clarity diamond may appear indistinguishable from a flawless diamond but comes with a considerably lower price tag.
The criteria for what qualifies as an eye-clean diamond can vary significantly, influenced by factors like size (larger diamonds make imperfections more apparent) and shape. Certain diamond shapes are adept at concealing or revealing inclusions, allowing for a lower clarity grade without compromising quality.
Diamonds with brilliant cuts, such as round, cushion, radiant, oval, and pear shapes, are particularly effective at concealing inclusions. This characteristic may permit a lower clarity grade, potentially as low as SI1 or SI2.
Princess cut diamonds also excel at hiding inclusions, but it's crucial to ensure there are no inclusions in the corners to prevent potential chipping upon impact.
In contrast, step cuts, including asscher, emerald, and baguette diamonds, make inclusions more apparent. The long, straight facets of these shapes increase the visibility of imperfections, necessitating a clarity grade of at least VS1 or VS2.
Common Questions Regarding Diamond Shapes & Cuts
What engagement ring shape is recommended as the best?
The best engagement ring shape is subjective and depends on personal preference, style, and budget. However, the Round Brilliant Cut is often recommended due to its timeless appeal and unmatched brilliance, representing the majority of diamond sales. Its 58 facets maximize light reflection, contributing to its popularity for engagement rings.
What holds more significance, diamond shape or diamond cut?
Both Diamond shape and Diamond cut are significant, but for different reasons. Diamond shape refers to the diamond's physical form (e.g., round, princess, oval), and is primarily a matter of personal aesthetic preference. There is no one shape that is better than another. The Diamond cut, however, is about how well the diamond has been shaped and polished from its rough state, affecting the diamond's symmetry, brightness, fire, and overall sparkle. A high-quality cut can make even a diamond of lower clarity or color appear more brilliant.
Which diamond shapes have the highest sparkle factor?
The Round Brilliant Cut is known for having the highest sparkle factor due to its precise shape and the high number of facets, which allow for maximum light reflection. Other shapes with a high sparkle factor include the Radiant, Oval, Pear, and Marquise cuts, which are all variations of the round cut with similar faceting patterns.
What is the most expensive diamond shape?
Traditionally, the Round Brilliant Cut diamond is often the most expensive diamond shape per carat due to its high demand and the amount of rough wastage during cutting. Since more of the rough stone is lost in shaping a round diamond, it increases the cost per carat.
What diamond shape gives the appearance of being the largest?
The Emerald cut, Marquise cut and Oval cuts typically appear larger than other shapes of the same carat weight due to their elongated shapes. These cuts have a larger surface area that makes the diamond appear bigger when viewed from above.
D for D Recommendations
Here, we provide thoughtful recommendations to guide you in your purchase decisions. This section aims to provide you with essential guidelines and insights, empowering you to make discerning choices that align with your personal preferences and needs.
Key Considerations:
Lifestyle Considerations:
If you are someone with an active lifestyle or hands-on work, you might benefit from more secure, less protruding shapes like round, princess, or cushion.
Optical Features:
If brilliance (sparkle) is your priority, round, radiant, or princess cuts are ideal. For a unique play of light and a more subtle sparkle, consider an emerald or Asscher cut.
Consider Personal Style:
- Classic and Elegant: Round brilliant or oval diamonds are timeless and versatile.
- Unique and Trendy: Marquise, pear, or heart-shaped diamonds offer distinctiveness.
- Vintage Appeal: Asscher or emerald cuts have a classic, vintage look.
- Modern and Bold: Princess or cushion cuts are modern yet elegant.
Take Our Unique Quiz made just for You:
If you want to find out which diamond shape resonates with your unique style, take our Exclusive personality-based quiz to Know Your Diamond Shape that perfectly complements your individuality.
Common Mistakes to avoid:
Ignoring Lifestyle and Practicality:
Choosing shape that doesn't suit the wearer's daily activities can result in discomfort or damage to the diamond.
Compromising Personal Preference for Trends:
Always choose a shape that resonates with you or the wearer's personal style. Do not compromise on what suits you best for trends.
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