Are you shopping for the perfect engagement ring for your soon-to-be fiancé? Or, maybe you’re the one in search of your own dream engagement ring. Either way, it’s important to know the types of diamond shapes available to you and the type of diamond (whether this is a natural or lab grown diamond) before you begin your search for the perfect diamond engagement ring. This is key for a couple of reasons.
If you’ve been wondering what the different shapes of diamonds are and what types of diamond cuts are best suited for engagement rings, you’re in the right place. Read on to learn more about the 12 different types of diamond shapes so you can choose the best one for your dream engagement ring.
What Is Diamond Cut?
Diamond cut refers to the way a diamond is cut from the original raw stone to maximize its brilliance and beauty. Diamond cut is graded on a scale of “ideal” to “poor”. Believe it or not, a diamond with a poor cut is not very pleasing to the eye. A diamond with an ideal cut, on the other hand, has optimal sparkle and symmetry.
Diamond cutting has also been used to refer to the overall shape of a diamond. After all, diamonds of different shapes are cut in different ways to maximize their beauty. For instance, an ideal cut round diamond has 58 facets—flat surfaces that are cut to reflect the light—while a radiant cut diamond, which is rectangular, has 70 facets. When a cut is ideal or excellent, the facet pattern is optimal for symmetry and light reflection.
The 11 Different Types of Diamond Shapes
While there are many different diamond shapes, here we will focus on the eleven types of diamond shapes for engagement rings, specifically. All of these cuts can complement an engagement ring setting beautifully, but each one has a distinct look and unique characteristics that affect its style, price, and sparkle.
Round
The round cut diamond is the most popular diamond cut, by far, not only for a diamond ring, but also earrings and necklaces. It boasts incredible sparkle thanks to its brilliant cut that is ideal for reflecting and refracting light. Plus, its shape is classic, elegant, and timeless, and can be paired with a variety of side stones and setting styles. Before you fall in love with this classic round brilliant diamond cut, though, know that is one of the most expensive.
Princess
What is a princess cut diamond? Second in popularity to the round brilliant cut, the princess cut diamond is modern yet timeless with facets that reflect the light to produce incredible sparkle. Additionally, princess cut diamonds are relatively more affordable than many other cuts because less of the raw stone is lost during the cutting process. It’s no surprise, then, that many brides, and grooms too, covet this type of diamond cut.
Cushion
The cushion cut diamond has a square shape or rectangular shape with rounded edges and corners that give it a pillowy appearance, which is why this cut is also referred to as a pillow cut. This cut hails from the old mine cut, the most popular diamond cut for centuries.
Like round and princess cut diamonds, a cushion cut diamond has incredible sparkle, specifically fire, which is the light that is reflected in a scintillating rainbow. There are two variations of modern cushion cut diamonds: the classic cushion cut and the crushed ice cushion, which has additional facets, leading to even more fire.
Marquise
The marquise diamond is a unique, fancy cut diamond that closely resembles the shape of an eye or a football. Interestingly, this shape was first commissioned by King Louis XV to reflect the shape of his mistress’s lips. It is an elongated round cut that comes to two points at either end. This elongated shape is extremely versatile; it can be set facing up and down, sideways, or at an angle. Its royal history and unique shape make it quite the special choice for an engagement ring.
Oval
The oval cut diamond is an elongated round brilliant cut that appears elegant and delicate. The elongated shape is not only flattering on the finger but also appears larger, carat for carat, than other diamond cuts such as the round cut and princess cut. This cut sparkles beautifully, but beware of a lurking shadow that can appear across the middle of the stone and give the diamond what is called a bow-tie effect. In the absence of a bow-tie, this oval diamond cut is radiant, beautiful, and popular among classic and trendy brides alike.
Emerald
For subtle sparkle, yet statement-making power, look no further than the emerald cut diamond. This step-cut diamond is rectangular in shape with a flat “window” into the diamond, front and center. Clarity is of the utmost importance with this cut, but when the quality is there, it is truly remarkable, attracting wearers such as Kim Kardashian and Grace Kelly.
Radiant
If you love the shape of an emerald cut but the sparkle of a round cut, a radiant cut diamond strikes the perfect balance between the two. With 70 facets, this diamond cut is one of the sparkliest. It’s also one of the newest types of diamond cuts, appearing first in 1977, which is why its sparkle and shape are so fabulous. The classic and contemporary appeal of a radiant style engagement ring makes it the perfect modern engagement ring.
Trillion
Trillion cut diamonds were and still are most popular as side stones in a three-stone setting alongside an emerald or round cut diamond. However, they have earned a well-deserved spot as the center stone in edgier, modern designs. The shape is that of a triangle, with three pointed corners. If you’re looking for a rare center stone, a trillion cut diamond may be the way to go.
Asscher
The sister to the emerald cut diamond is the Asscher cut diamond. The Asscher cut diamond is also a step-cut diamond, meaning the facets are long and rectangular, rather than triangular. Asscher cut diamonds can be rectangular or square in shape and have truncated corners, giving them an octagonal appearance. This geometric cut was most popular during the art deco period, and thus gives modern engagement rings a vintage feel.
Pear
A pear cut diamond looks as its name would suggest; the shape is curved at the bottom, like a round cut diamond, and then comes to a point at the top, like a marquise cut diamond. This unique cut is also called a teardrop because of its shape. A pear shaped diamond is typically less expensive than other cuts because they are less popular, but they can also appear a bit larger carat for carat than round brilliant cut diamonds.
Heart
Heart cut diamonds are rather romantic, naturally, and quite unique. The quality of the cut is extremely important with heart cut diamonds as any lack of symmetry is quite noticeable. In order for the shape to stand out, it is also important that you select a heart shape with a noticeable cleft at the top, a sharp point at the bottom, and a ratio of .90 to 1.05 so that the length and width of the shape appear equal. A halo setting can also help highlight the shape of this special cut.
How To Choose the Right Diamond Shape for You
Did you discover a diamond shape you never knew about? Or did you learn something new about the cut you already love? Choosing the type of diamond cut you want may be the first step in the process of finding your dream ring, but it is not the only one.
With all diamonds, regardless of cut, the quality of the cut as well as the color, clarity, and carat weight are important to consider. These are the 4Cs of diamonds, all of which play an important role in the overall quality of the diamond. First, decide on a cut you love, be it a pear shaped engagement ring or round, emerald or marquise, and then choose the optimal color and clarity for that cut.
You can start building your dream engagement ring right here and browse our collection of various lab diamond cuts. At 12FIFTEEN Diamonds, we carry ten of these eleven cuts as they are the most popular cuts for engagement rings.
All of our diamonds are created in a lab, meaning they are chemically identical to natural diamonds but don’t carry any of the expenses or ethical dilemmas that come with mining. This means you can enjoy the true beauty of a diamond untainted by a negative impact on the earth.
Explore our engagement ring collection to find the type of diamond cut that captivates you and the perfect setting to complement it.
Sources:
Princess cut vs Cushion Cut
Diamond Shape: Price and Size
Diamond Shape
Heart Cut