DIAMOND & GEMSTONE SHAPE

Diamonds come in many different shapes, each with its own unique appeal. Here we will discuss the ten most popular diamond shapes.

It is important to note that while a diamond’s shape may be described as “princess-cut” or “emerald-cut”, diamond “cut” and “shape” are not the same. The cut of a diamond refers to how skillfully it has been cut to reflect light and minimize flaws.

	Round Round is by far the most popular diamond shape and considered by many to be the classic shape for engagement rings. The vast majority of round diamonds are brilliant-cut. Featuring 57 or 58 facets the brilliant cut is designed to maximize sparkle.
	Princess A relatively recent creation, the modern princess-cut features distinctive pointed corners. Traditionally square, some princess-cut diamonds are slightly rectangular in shape, though this may be difficult for the untrained eye to detect.
	Cushion Widely popular in the late 19th century, the antique cushion-cut diamond has recently experienced a resurgence in popularity. Influenced by the old mine cut, which featured rounded corners and large facets, the cushion cut gives diamonds a soft, romantic appearance. Ranging from square to rectangular, height to length ratio is an important factor when considering cushion-cut diamonds. Clarity is also important with this cut, as the larger facets highlight the diamond’s clarity.
	Asscher The modern asscher cut can be described as a square emerald cut; both have a pavilion cut with rectangular facets. Asscher-cut diamonds feature step facets and cropped corners that make them appear octagonal when viewed from above. Designed to emphasize clarity, the asscher cut allows you to see all the way through the diamond.
	Emerald Originally developed for the cutting of emeralds, the emerald cut is prized for its clean lines rather than its brilliance. A large table and the step cuts on the pavilion give emerald-cut diamonds a unique look that really accentuates clarity. Similar to oval diamonds, the length to width ratio of emerald-cut diamonds can vary. A length-to-width ratio of 1.40-1.50 ratio is ideal for a classic emerald-cut shape.
	Marquise With curved edges and two pointed ends, the unusual marquise-cut is a modified brilliant cut. With its long, narrow boat-shape, marquise diamonds have the largest crown surface area of any diamond shape, giving the illusion of a larger stone. The shape of marquise diamonds is also ideal for elongating the fingers of the wearer.
	Oval Oval-cut diamonds combine the brilliant faceting of round diamonds with an elegant elongated shape. An oval cut actually gives diamonds the appearance of being larger than they actually are. It can also make the wearer’s fingers appear longer and slimmer. For a traditional oval shape, choose a diamond with a length to width ratio between 1.35 and 1.50.
	Radiant Like the emerald-cut, radiant-cut diamonds have straight sides and trimmed corners. However, their faceting gives them a much greater level of brilliance. The radiant cut is a hybrid cutting style that combines the clean lines of square cuts with the faceting of the round brilliant cut. The shape of radiant-cut diamonds can range from square to rectangular.
	Pear Featuring a single tapered point, the pear-shaped diamond is reminiscent of a water droplet. Worn with the tip pointing either up or down the finger, the elongated pear-shape subtly slims the fingers. The dimensions of pear-shape diamonds vary, though the most traditional ratio is between 1.45 and 1.75.
	Heart A heart-shaped diamond is both a symbolic and unique choice for an engagement ring. A modified round brilliant cut, heart shaped diamonds are generally worn as solitaire rings or pendants.