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Can't decide which diamond shape is the one for you? This guide will help you understand the unique qualities of each so you can confidently choose the perfect stone you won’t stop staring at.
Diamonds come in a variety of geometric forms, referred to as shape, with each adding a distinct personality to the stone. The shape of a diamond is the outline of it and the first thing that catches your eye when you look at one. The shape is created through careful craftsmanship during the cutting process, and each shape has its unique style and sparkles in its own unique way.
While round and oval diamonds are classic all time favorites, many people are drawn to the characteristic beauty of fancy-shaped diamonds. These different diamond cuts include cushion, princess, pear, emerald, marquise, asscher, radiant and heart-shaped cuts.
A diamond's shape is what makes it stand out. It’s the silhouette that sets the stage for the diamond's brilliance and defines its overall look. That's why it's a key factor to think about when selecting a diamond. The diamond shape can also determine how it will look on your finger. For example, an oval diamond can make fingers appear longer, while a round diamond tends to create a more classic, compact look. It is one important factor that will complement your personal style and the ring setting you envision.
Just like the 4C’s—cut, color, clarity and carat weight— that we consider when evaluating a stone, the shape of a diamond significantly impacts its price too. While round diamonds are timeless classics and highly sought-after, their popularity often means a higher price tag. This is because creating a perfect round diamond requires more of the raw material. On the other hand, fancy shapes like radiant, emerald, cushion and asscher cuts make better use of the rough diamond, which makes them potentially more affordable. That’s why the shape and types of diamond cuts are an important consideration that will affect both the look of your ring and your budget.
You might hear people use "cut" and "shape" interchangeably when talking about diamonds, but they're actually different things.
The shape is simply the diamond's outline, like round, oval or heart, while the cut is what makes it shine brightly. The cut is how the diamond is crafted and carved – the angles and facets that make up its sparkle. However, they work together in some way. The shape gives the diamond its basic form, and the cut is what makes it shine. A diamond with a beautiful shape but a poor cut won't sparkle as much as one with a great cut.
In essence, while shape provides the diamond's foundation, it's the cut that determines its brilliance and fire. A harmonious blend of diamond cuts and shapes as well as symmetry and polish results in a diamond that captivates the eye and shines for a lifetime.
Truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer, and it is you who should determine “the best” shape. The round shape is the most popular one of all but this doesn't mean it is the only choice you have. It is true that it offers a classic choice with its brilliance catching all eyes and complementing every ring setting beautifully. However, there are many other options that can be the one for you.
Other diamond shapes, such as oval, princess, emerald, pear, Asscher and more, also offer a stunning array of styles and often come with a smaller price point compared to round diamonds of the same carat weight. So, it comes down to finding a stone that complements your hand and resonates with both your personal style and your budget. Take your time, explore your options and let your intuition guide you. After all, it’s you who'll cherish it for years to come.
Round diamonds are undeniably the most popular choice for engagement rings, and it's easy to see why. Their timeless appeal and classic symmetrical shape make them a versatile option that complements any style. Achieving the round diamond's signature brilliance requires exceptional craftsmanship and precision. With 56 facets precisely cut to optimize light reflection and refraction, these diamonds sparkle for real. Round cuts also tend to balance cut, color and clarity better than other shapes, while still offering that brilliant sparkle we love to see in a diamond. However, this intricate process means that more of the raw diamond is used during cutting. That’s why round diamonds carry the highest price per carat compared to other shapes. Yet, this doesn't stop them from being the most sought-after shape.
If you're seeking a diamond that is elegant and sparkly, the round cut is a timeless choice that will never go out of style.
Slightly more elongated than round, the oval gives the impression of a larger carat diamond. Their elongated, elliptical shape creates a graceful and modern look, while the rounded corners soften the overall appearance. This distinctive cut maximizes the diamond's surface area, making it appear larger than a round diamond of the same carat weight. Their elongated shape also tends to show less color and mask inclusions effectively, allowing for higher clarity and color grades without compromising brilliance. While ovals may exhibit a bow-tie effect, a shadow across the center of the stone, this can be minimized with careful selection.
With their brilliant sparkle and flattering proportions, oval diamonds offer an enchanting look that complements a variety of ring styles and personal tastes. If you’re looking for a diamond that redefines the timeless beauty of the classic round shape with a bit of contemporary flair, the oval cut is a lovely option to consider.
The cushion cut diamond is known for its soft, more rounded edges when compared to the sharper corners of princess or emerald cuts. This timeless shape, somewhere between square and rectangular, has been a beloved choice for centuries. Its unique design features larger facets that enhance the diamond's brilliance and create an eye-catching sparkle. However, it's important to note that these larger facets can sometimes make inclusions more visible. For this reason, we suggest going for a higher clarity grade for cushion cut diamonds.
You can find cushion cut diamonds in a range of sizes and proportions. This allows you to select that perfect stone to complement your personal style. Whether you prefer a classic look or a modern, edgy aesthetic, there's a lovely cushion cut diamond to suit your taste.
Another distinctive shape, pear cut diamonds have a single sharp point and rounded edge, resembling a teardrop or a perfect drop of water. This beautiful contrast of round and pointed ends creates an elegant, elongated look that can flatter your hand. The pointed end traditionally faces towards the fingers, which gives the subtle illusion of longer, slimmer fingers, just like the oval shape.
However, its pointed end is delicate and requires a protective setting, like a bezel or 5-prong setting. Additionally, color can be more noticeable in a pear shaped diamond, so opting for a G or higher color grade is generally recommended. On the plus side, the pear shape tends to mask inclusions better than other cuts, so you have a wider range of clarity choices. The pear cut's undeniable charm and unique aesthetic make it a remarkable centerpiece for any engagement ring.
Known for its square or rectangular shape with sharp corners, this cut is a popular alternative to the traditional round diamond. Its sharp corners give it a modern, geometric look that can make a statement on your finger. However, these corners can sometimes highlight the diamond's color, so opting for a higher color grade might be necessary to achieve that brilliant sparkle. Keep in mind that the princess cut's sharp corners can also be more prone to chipping, so it's essential to choose a secure ring setting to protect your investment. On the bright side, the efficient cutting process of the princess cut often results in a slightly better price per carat compared to other shapes.
All in all, with careful consideration, a princess cut diamond can be a stunning and enduring choice for any jewelry piece, including your beloved engagement ring.
The emerald cut diamond is another compelling choice with a rectangular shape with cropped corners offering a clean, architectural look that's just captivating. Its distinctive open table and step-cut facets create an eye-catching hall-of-mirrors effect. The emerald shape’s visuals offer a subtle shimmer rather than the brilliant sparkle of a round diamond. Its rectangular facets with a reflective brilliance and elongated appearance can make the stone appear larger than its carat weight. The elongated silhouette of it can also make your fingers appear slimmer and longer. Due to the emerald cut's specific facet arrangement, the bow-tie effect, if present, also tends to be more subtle and often less noticeable. This cut can, however, show a diamond's clarity, which is why we recommend opting for a higher clarity grade.
If you appreciate a classic, refined aesthetic, the emerald cut is what you should consider for your engagement ring you will cherish forever.
With its distinctive square shape and cropped corners, the radiant cut diamond is a contemporary and popular choice. It offers a balance of geometric precision and soft curves. The radiant cut also offers an interplay of facets that draws your eyes in. Its crown features a combination of large, rectangular step-cut facets and smaller triangular facets. This arrangement creates a striking visual contrast, with the step-cut facets adding a bit of depth while the brilliant cut ones contribute to the diamond's overall sparkle. The radiant cut is also less likely to reveal color inclusions due to its design. However, as with the emerald cut, higher clarity grades are recommended, since this cut may emphasize the diamond's internal characteristics.
It holds the emerald cut's hall-of-mirrors effect and the round brilliant's fiery sparkle within. That’s why the radiant cut offers an exceptional visual experience. Its versatility in complementing various ring styles and its ability to flatter different hand shapes make it a popular choice for those seeking a diamond that stands out.
A heart-shaped diamond is the classic symbol of love. Its unique silhouette, with two rounded lobes separated by a distinct cleft, holds the feeling of affection in a tangible form. While it may not be as common as other diamond shapes, its distinctive outline sets it apart. However, the tip of the heart shape can sometimes bring out color imperfections. So, for a heart shaped diamond ring a higher color grade might be a wise choice. Additionally, consider the length-to-width ratio. A slightly elongated heart can offer a more dramatic look, while a rounder heart might appear more compact and classic. The setting you chose is also important. A prong setting that protects the pointed tip is essential to prevent chipping. Halo settings can also offer extra protection. Remember, this shape is more susceptible to damage compared to other shapes due to its pointed tip.
After all, the perfect diamond is the one that captures your heart, and a heart shaped one is sure to do so.
The marquise cut diamond is a captivating choice for those seeking a dramatic and distinctive look. Inspired by the shape of a woman's lips, this shape features pointed ends and a curved center. Due to its larger surface area, it looks larger than other shapes with the same carat weight. Its elongated shape also has a flattering effect on the finger, making it appear slimmer and more elegant.
However, this shape can also show color imperfections, so selecting a higher color grade is recommended to ensure the diamond's brilliance shines through. The pointed ends of the diamond are also more susceptible to chipping or breakage compared to other shapes. Therefore, choosing a secure setting would be a wise choice.
The marquise cut diamond is a bold and glamorous option that can make a dramatic statement on your engagement ring.
The Asscher cut is a modern take on the classic emerald cut. It combines the elegant look of the emerald with the geometric precision of a square. This octagonal shape features the iconic step-cut facets that create a hall-of-mirrors effect. While it shares similarities with the emerald cut, the Asscher's sharper corners and more compact form give it a distinct and modern appeal. It's important to note that the Asscher cut, too, tends to highlight inclusions and color imperfections, just like the emerald-cut. To ensure the diamond's brilliance and clarity, it's advisable to choose a higher color and clarity grade.
If you appreciate the classic allure of the emerald cut but desire a more defined and contemporary look, the Asscher cut is an excellent option.
While the shape of a diamond is undoubtedly a key factor in its overall appeal, it's essential to remember that the other elements of the 4Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat weight—play equally important roles. A diamond's shape can be utterly stunning, but if its cut is poor, it won't sparkle to its full potential. A beautiful shape can be overshadowed by low color or clarity grades. So, while the shape is a great starting point, it's crucial to consider the entire package to find a diamond that seriously shines. Selecting a diamond is an exciting journey. It's an investment in something beautiful and enduring. We encourage you to explore different shapes, cuts and sizes until you find the diamond that you can't keep your eyes off. Remember, the most important aspect is that your chosen diamond brings you a lifetime of joy and happiness.
Learn all about 4C’s of diamond and how to balance cut, color, clarity and carat weight to find the perfect diamond that will steal your heart.
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Discover expert tips on choosing the ideal gemstone, setting and metal. Learn how to balance style, budget and your partner's taste to pop the question in style.
Learn how to select a stone that reflects your style, choose a setting that complements it beautifully, and find a ring that brings you joy and celebrates your love story.
There are two main types of diamond cuts. The first is the good old brilliant round cuts. It's the most popular choice because of its amazing fire, brilliance and shine. The second type is called fancy cuts. These come in two styles: modified brilliant cuts and step cuts. Modified brilliant cuts take the sparkle of a round diamond and shape it into beautiful ovals, pears and hearts. Step-cut diamonds, on the other hand, are known for their rectangular facets and a classy, mirror-like look. Emerald, Asscher and baguette cuts are examples of step cuts.
Generally, round brilliant cut diamonds tend to be the most expensive among other engagement ring diamond cuts. This is because they require the most skilled craftsmanship and often result in a significant amount of diamond being lost during the cutting process. However, remember that there are other variations that can affect the price of a diamond such as the 4C’s.
Diamond shapes that look bigger than their carat weight are those with elongated or wider cuts. Oval, marquise and pear shapes are great options if you are looking for a bigger looking one, as they create a visual illusion of a larger size. The emerald cut, while not as elongated, also has a way of appearing larger due to its open table.
The round brilliant cut is often considered timeless. Its classic shape and maximum sparkle have made it a beloved choice for generations. Yet, other cuts have also stood the test of time and offered amazing choices for many. Truth is, a timeless diamond is the one that resonates with you personally, regardless of its shape.
While they might be used interchangeably, diamond shapes and cuts are actually different things. A diamond's shape is its outline, like round, oval or heart. The cut, on the other hand, refers to how the diamond is faceted to maximize its brilliance. For instance, a round shape can be cut in different ways to affect its sparkle. The shape is given during the cutting process, so they work together in a way.
The bow-tie effect is a shadow that can sometimes appear in the center of a diamond, shaped like a bow tie. It is a completely normal occurrence in some diamonds. It happens when light doesn't reflect perfectly within the stone. While it can occur in any diamond, it's more common in elongated shapes like ovals, pears and marquise cuts.