Choosing a Diamond Shape

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Diamond Shape

When it comes to selecting the perfect diamond, the shape is a crucial element that reflects personal style, enhances the diamond's brilliance, and complements the wearer's hand. With a myriad of diamond shapes available, each with its unique charm and characteristics, finding the right one can feel overwhelming. In this guide, we'll explore the most popular diamond shapes and what makes each one special, helping you make an informed decision for your next piece of fine jewellery.

 

What is a Diamond Shape?

The “shape” of a diamond or other precious stone is the outline of the stone, looking at it from the top down. We typically think of 10 diamond shapes — round, cushion, princess, emerald, asscher, marquise, heart, oval, pear and radiant. Each shape is carefully cut by expert diamond cutters to obtain maximum sparkle and create a specific style. Let’s take a closer look at each of our favourite diamond shapes.

 

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Round Diamonds

The round diamond is the epitome of classic elegance and are by far the most popular diamond shape for engagement rings and fine jewellery, taking up 75% of the market for all diamonds sold. Known for its unmatched brilliance, the round brilliant cut maximizes light reflection, creating a stunning sparkle that is hard to rival. This shape is perfect for those who appreciate timeless beauty and prefer a diamond that exudes simplicity yet stands out with its radiance. Its 58 facets are strategically cut to enhance its fire and brilliance, making it a versatile choice, they look great with any style of engagement ring setting and are considered the go-to for maximum sparkle. The mechanics of the round shape allow for the perfect reflection of light, if cut with the right quality standards. They are also the only non-fancy “traditional” shape.

View Our Round Diamond Collections and Carat Size Options

 

Princess Cut Diamonds

Princess cut diamonds were created in 1980 and are now the most popular fancy cut, particularly for engagement rings. With a square, sometimes slightly rectangular shape, they do a beautiful job of reflecting light and creating sparkle. Like round cut diamonds, they tend to blend well with almost all engagement ring setting styles. For those who desire a blend of modern appeal and traditional sparkle, the princess cut diamond is an excellent choice. This shape is highly versatile, fitting well in various settings, from solitaire to halo, and is particularly popular among those who want a unique yet sophisticated look. Its distinctive square or rectangular shape, combined with its brilliant facets, ensures a high level of sparkle, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a fresh, edgy aesthetic.

 View Our Princess Cut Diamond Collections and Carat Size Options

 

Oval Shaped Diamonds

Oval diamonds are an elegant variation of the round brilliant cut, offering a similar brilliance but with an elongated silhouette that creates the illusion of a larger diamond. This shape is perfect for those who appreciate the sparkle of a round diamond but want something a little different. The elongated shape also has a slimming effect on the finger, making it a flattering choice for many. Oval diamonds are versatile and look stunning in various settings, from vintage-inspired designs to contemporary solitaire settings.

View Our Oval Cut Diamond Collections and Carat Size Options

 

Emerald Cut Diamonds

The emerald cut diamond is a celebration of understated sophistication and vintage charm. With its step-cut facets and open table, this diamond shape is less about brilliance and more about showcasing the stone's clarity and natural beauty. Emerald cuts have a unique "hall of mirrors" effect, creating a captivating interplay of light and shadow. This shape is ideal for those who prefer a subtle, elegant diamond that exudes a sense of luxury and refinement. Its elongated shape also creates a slimming effect on the hand, making it a flattering choice for many.

View Our Emerald Cut Diamond Collections and Carat Size Options

 

Pear Shaped Diamonds

Combining the best of the round and marquise cuts, the pear-shaped diamond is a unique, teardrop-shaped gem that is both elegant and eye-catching. Its distinctive shape makes it a popular choice for those who want a diamond that stands out and makes a statement. The pointed end and rounded base create a stunning contrast, while the brilliant-cut facets ensure plenty of sparkle. Pear-shaped diamonds are versatile and can be set in various orientations, with the point facing up or down, depending on the desired effect.

View Our Pear Cut Diamond Collections and Carat Size Options

 

Marquise Cut Diamonds

The marquise cut diamond is known for its dramatic, elongated shape that resembles a boat or a football. This cut is designed to maximize the carat weight of a diamond, giving it a larger appearance than other shapes of the same size. Marquise diamonds have a regal feel and are perfect for those who want a diamond that is both unique and glamorous. The elongated shape also creates a slimming effect on the finger, making it a popular choice for engagement rings. Its brilliant-cut facets ensure plenty of sparkle, while its pointed ends add a touch of drama.

View Our Marquise Cut Diamond Collections and Carat Size Options

 

Heart Shaped Diamonds

The heart-shaped diamond is the ultimate symbol of love and romance. This unique shape is perfect for those who want a diamond that is as meaningful as it is beautiful. Heart-shaped diamonds are a popular choice for engagement rings and other sentimental jewellery pieces. The shape can be challenging to cut, requiring a skilled hand to ensure the proportions are perfect and the diamond sparkles as it should. Heart-shaped diamonds are often set in solitaire or halo settings to highlight their distinctive shape and make a romantic statement.

View Our Heart Cut Diamond Collections and Carat Size Options

 

Cushion Cut Diamonds

Cushion cut diamonds are a timeless choice that combines the classic charm of a round diamond with the soft, square shape of a princess cut. This shape, also known as a pillow cut, features rounded corners and larger facets that enhance the diamond's brilliance. Cushion cut diamonds are popular in vintage-inspired designs and are perfect for those who want a diamond with a classic look but a modern twist. The shape is versatile and looks stunning in various settings, from solitaires to halos.

View our Cushion Cut Diamond Collections and Carat Size Options

 

Elongated Cushion Diamonds

Elongated cushion diamonds offer the same classic appeal as the traditional cushion cut but with a stretched, rectangular silhouette. This shape is perfect for those who love the vintage charm of a cushion cut but want something with a bit more length and finger coverage. The elongated shape creates a slimming effect on the finger, making it a flattering choice for many. Elongated cushion diamonds have a unique blend of brilliance and sophistication, making them an excellent choice for those seeking a timeless yet distinctive look.

View our Elongated Cushion Cut Diamond Collections and Carat Size Options

 

Radiant Diamonds

Radiant diamonds combine the brilliance of a round cut with the sleek lines of an emerald cut, creating a shape that is both stunning and versatile. This shape features trimmed corners and brilliant-cut facets that enhance the diamond's sparkle, making it a popular choice for those who want a diamond with plenty of fire. Radiant diamonds are ideal for those who love the clean lines of a square or rectangular shape but want the sparkle of a brilliant cut. This shape is versatile and looks stunning in various settings, from solitaires to halos.

View Our Radiant Cut Diamond Collections and Carat Size Options

 

Asscher Diamonds

 

Asscher diamonds are a vintage-inspired shape that combines the elegance of an emerald cut with a unique, octagonal silhouette. This shape is perfect for those who appreciate the Art Deco era and want a diamond with a classic, timeless appeal. Asscher diamonds feature step-cut facets that create a "hall of mirrors" effect, showcasing the diamond's clarity and creating a mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow. This shape is ideal for those who want a diamond that is both unique and sophisticated, with a vintage charm that never goes out of style.

View Our Asscher Cut Diamond Collections and Carat Size Options

 

Why we sell loose stones

We aim to make it easy for our customers to create the engagement ring of their dreams — without the hefty price tag that comes along with it. Selling our diamonds, rubies and sapphires loose allows you to prioritize your budget and shop from the largest variety of stone shapes and colors to find the perfect one. You can begin your journey by choosing a setting, or pick your favorite stone first to start the process of creating your engagement ring.

 

High quality standards

We buy our diamonds directly from the cutters, getting rid of the middlemen and passing the savings on to you. Because of our long-standing relationships in the industry, we get first pick of all newly cut stones, and we choose to prioritize based on each stone’s particular sparkle and beauty, choosing the prettiest diamonds, rubies and sapphires in every grade. Shop our engagement rings on The One Diamond Atelier.