In this blog, we’ll help match you with the diamond that best suits your tastes and personality. First, we’ll explore the history behind common diamond shapes, share some important facts, and clue you in to the pros and cons of each style. Read to the end for a fun quiz that will pair you with your ideal diamond shape!
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What’s The Difference Between Diamond Shapes and Diamond Cuts?
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Princess Cut Diamond
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Cushion Cut Diamond
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Pear Cut Diamond
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Oval Cut Diamond
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Emerald Cut Diamond
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Marquise Cut Diamond
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Round Cut Diamond
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Fall In Love With Your Perfect Diamond At Ware Jewelers in Alabama!
What’s The Difference Between Diamond Shapes and Diamond Cuts?
The terms ‘diamond shape’ and ‘diamond cut’ are often used interchangeably, but they mean very different things. Diamond shape refers to the diamond’s silhouette when viewed from above–in simple terms, it’s the shape you see when you look down at the diamond. Think pear, oval, round, and marquise, among others!Diamond cut, on the other hand, refers to the stone’s faceting, symmetry and proportions. Cut is a very important factor in the diamond’s overall appearance. The faceting, symmetry, and proportions determine how well the diamond will reflect light. A well cut diamond exhibits brilliance, sparkle and fire (flashes of colored light).
Diamond cut and diamond shape may be different concepts, but they are interconnected. Certain diamond shapes can only be cut in particular ways. Emerald shaped diamonds, for instance, are step cut diamonds. This means that they feature several long, rectangular facets rather than the dozens of tiny facets in a brilliant cut diamond.
Despite the differences between these terms, jewelers will know what you mean when you refer to ‘diamond shape’ or ‘diamond cut.’ It’s nice to know the technical differences, but using the terms interchangeably usually won’t cause any problems. In this blog, we’ll use both terms. And in the next section, we’ll describe the pros and potential drawbacks of some of the most popular diamond shapes.
Princess Cut Diamond
Princess shaped diamonds appear square on top but narrow down to a point at the bottom. Picture an upside down pyramid, and you’ll have a good idea of what they look like. It is a relatively new cut, created in the mid-20th century. But since its creation, the princess diamond has become wildly popular.Why People Love Them:
- It’s a brilliant cut diamond, with 58 facets designed to maximize light reflection and give it a dazzling sparkle.
- A good alternative to other brilliant cut diamonds, such as the classic round diamond or the marquise diamond.
- Sharp angles give it a bold, modern look that many brides love.
The princess cut may not be ideal for everyone, though. If you like a softer or more vintage look, you may not be a fan of the princess cut’s angular silhouette. Those sharp corners are also prone to catching on other objects and potentially chipping. You can mitigate that risk by choosing a secure setting for your princess cut diamond.
Cushion Cut Diamond
Think of cushion cuts as a softer version of the princess cut. They have a square or rectangular shape, but with rounded corners. Like princess shaped diamonds, cushions are brilliant cut diamonds that boast a stunning shine. Cushion cut diamonds can be traced all the way back to the 1700s.Why People Love Them:
- It has a vintage aesthetic. Classy, simple and attractive, it’s perfect for a custom engagement ring with a throwback theme.
- Pairs well with other vintage touches like milgrain details and yellow gold.
- Cushion cut diamonds can look very different with even slight changes to their proportions.
- The length to width ratio of a cushion cut diamond can give it either a more square or rectangular appearance.
- Different shapes will reflect light in different ways. You may have to look around for a while to determine the length to width ratio that you like.
Pear Cut Diamond
Pear shaped diamonds strike a balance between quirky and elegant. With a touch of modern boldness and a bit of classic charm, this unique diamond shape has become more popular in recent years. Despite their current popularity, these diamonds aren’t new: historians believe that the first pear diamonds were created all the way back in 1458!Why People Love Them:
- A rich history and timeless aesthetic appeal.
- A great choice for the bride who wants a flattering ring. The pear diamond’s elongated shape makes the finger look slimmer and longer.
- Pear diamonds are very versatile. They make great solitaire stones, but they also look gorgeous in a two- or three-stone ring setting.
What To Look Out For:
- The pointed tip of the pear diamond, like the sharp corners of a princess cut diamond, is thinner and more fragile than a rounded edge, and more likely to chip or to catch on things.
- Pear diamonds exhibit the ‘bowtie effect’ (also seen in other elongated diamond shapes). The bowtie effect is a dark, bowtie-shaped spot across the center of the stone that does not reflect light.
- A well cut pear diamond can hide the bowtie effect well, but in other pear diamonds, it may be obvious and detract from the diamond’s beauty.
Oval Cut Diamond
Oval diamonds are one of the most popular diamond choices at the moment. They originated in the 1300s, making them one of the oldest diamond shapes. However, oval diamond cutting techniques weren’t perfected until the 1960s, when a Russian diamond cutter named Lazare Kaplan created the current 58-facet brilliant cut we see in oval diamonds today.Why People Love Them:
- These stunning diamonds have a larger surface area, making them look bigger than their actual carat size. They make excellent center stones.
- They are great in solitaire settings, which add to their show-stopping sparkle and elongating effect.
- These effortlessly chic diamonds don’t need accent stones to shine, but extra diamonds never hurt anybody! Oval stones look great with pave bands or at the center of a three-stone setting.
What To Look Out For:
- Like other elongated diamond shapes (including pears and emeralds), the oval diamond comes in a variety of length-to-width ratios. They can range from very long and thin to short and rounded. The most popular oval diamonds fall somewhere in the middle.
- The best oval diamonds have a length-to-width ratio between 1.3 and 1.6.
- Like other elongated brilliant cut stones, oval diamonds do showcase the “bowtie effect.” The good news is that it should be hardly noticeable in a well cut oval diamond.
Emerald Cut Diamond
Though they’ve been around for centuries, emerald cut diamonds first became popular in the 1920s with the advent of the Art Deco movement. Their bold angles and sleek lines fit the geometric, futuristic aesthetic of the time. Even today, we associate emerald cuts with the Roaring Twenties, giving this diamond shape a vintage appeal.Why People Love Them:
- Longer than they are wide, emerald cut diamonds have a slimming effect on the finger.
- This cut also makes a diamond appear larger than its actual carat weight. If you want the look of a big diamond without breaking the bank, an elongated shape like an emerald is the way to go.
What To Look Out For:
- Emerald diamonds are step cut, with long, rectangular facets. This gives the diamond an elegant, glassy appearance. It’s different from the sparkle and fire of a brilliant diamond, but just as beautiful.
- These diamonds are increasingly popular, especially in solitaire settings. Their vintage flair and bold shape have made them a hit among younger brides.
- Several celebrities have received high-profile emerald cut diamond rings in recent years, including Beyonce and actress Jennifer Lawrence.
Marquise Cut Diamond
The marquise cut has an elongated, curving shape that resembles an oval before tapering into points at both ends. Some people compare the shape of a marquise diamond to that of an almond or a football, though legend has it that King Louis XV of France originally had the diamond created to resemble the shape of his lover’s lips.Why People Love Them:
- Once a rare sight, the marquise diamond has sparked renewed interest in the 2020s.
- They have a lower cost-per-carat and larger surface area than round diamonds, meaning that not only are they less expensive, but they tend to look bigger than round cut diamonds of the same carat weight.
- Marquise stones fit nicely in a variety of settings. It’s common to see them oriented east-west as well as the traditional north-south. Two east-west marquise diamonds flanking a pear or oval center stone is one popular arrangement.
What To Look Out For:
- The marquise diamond has two sharp, thin points that are more vulnerable to chipping or breaking.
- Different length-width ratios will give the stone different looks. A jeweler can help you find the length-width ratio you look best.
Round Cut Diamond
Round diamonds are considered the classic shape for a center stone, and are still by far the most popular choice for engagement rings. They’re simple, versatile, functional and undeniably gorgeous. Round diamonds emerged from the Old Mine and Old European cuts of the 18th and 19th centuries. These older shapes resembled a soft cushion or semi-round diamond, but the machinery didn’t yet exist to create perfect round diamonds like the ones we see today.The modern round brilliant cut was invented and standardized by Marcel Tolkowsky in 1919. Technological advances have since made it much easier to create symmetrical, well cut round brilliant diamonds.
Why People Love Them:
- Round brilliant cut diamonds are the sparkliest diamonds on the market. They boast exceptional sparkle and fire, gathering and reflecting light with an intensity like no other diamond shape.
- The round shape is highly adaptable. It looks stunning in any style or settings.
- It is durable–since it has no sharp edges, it’s harder to catch it or chip it as you go about your life.
What To Look Out For:
- Since the cutting process for a round brilliant stone is so intricate, it is the most expensive diamond cut.
- They are the most popular shape on the market, so if you want a very unique ring, you may want to choose a different shape.
Diamond Shape Quiz for Brides-to-Be