Diamond Shapes

Round brilliant cut diamonds are the world’s most popular shape, not only for its timeless shape but also for its ability to produce optimal light reflection giving it the most sparkle of all the shapes. In fact, approximately 75% of all diamonds sold, and about 60% of all engagement rings are round cut diamonds.

The Pear shaped diamond is also known as a tear drop shape. It is a hybrid diamond cut combining the brilliance and design style of both the Round Brilliant and the Marquise cut that results in a shape with a single point and rounded end. It’s a unique shape that can make a wide finger look slimmer. Pear shaped diamonds add a touch of class and elegance to modern ring designs.

The Oval shaped diamond is by far the most popular out of all the fancy shaped diamonds. Since the Oval shaped diamond has the same amount of facets as the Round cut, it can also provide superb brilliance and sparkle. With a greater surface area and its elongated shape, the Oval cut gives off an illusion of size and length. Their ratio can vary from a shorter, rounder shape to a thinner, longer shape.

The Cushion cut diamond combines a square cut with rounded corners, much like a pillow (hence its name). While generally less brilliant than a Round Brilliant cut, Cushion cut diamonds often offer as much fire and sparkle. They are a great choice for customers looking for a square or rectangle with a softened feel.

Princess cut diamonds deliver a versatile square shape with 4 pointed edges and has nearly the same brilliance and light return as a Round cut diamond. You can also afford more stone weight for your money, since Princess is such an efficient cut. This combination of style, size, and brilliance makes Princess cuts a popular choice.

Emerald cut diamonds, known for their elegance and symmetry, are a classy choice. Step cut faceting means they create a ‘hall of mirrors’ effect that is more subtle than the sparkle of a Round Brilliant and princess cut. As an added bonus, the proportions and larger surface of Emerald cuts mean that they appear bigger than diamonds of a similar carat weight than other shapes.

The Radiant cut diamond, true to its name, is truly radiant. While the octagonal shape and cropped corners do make it similar to the emerald cut, it combines two diamond cutting styles: the brilliance and sparkle of the round cut and the emerald cut style. They are great for customers that want the brilliance and effective light return of modern cutting techniques in a rectangular or square shape with cut corners. Elongated Radiant cuts appear larger than square Radiant cuts, making them a more sought after diamond shape.

The Marquise cut diamond is a unique vintage design that stands out on the finger. While not quite as popular as other fancy cut diamond shapes, the beautiful Marquise design is a statement cut that is for the non-traditional couple and should not be overlooked. In fact, there is a lot to love about this cut! One of the major benefits of the marquise cut is that it maximizes the carat weight and makes the diamond appear much larger than it is.

The Asscher cut diamond is also referred to as a square emerald; the cropped corners give the Asscher cut a somewhat octagonal shape. The Asscher is a step cut, like the Emerald shape, but it shows more brilliance and sparkle, this is due to the interesting arrangement of the long facets and the symmetry of the cut.

When choosing a Heart shaped diamond, symmetry is a very important characteristic, since it is critical that the two halves of the heart are identical. The cleft (between the two lobes) should be sharp and distinct, and the wings (the sides as they curve down to the point) should have a very slightly rounded shape. Heart-shaped diamonds come in a variety of silhouettes, from narrow to fat. The choice of a particular silhouette should be dictated by personal preference.