Diamond shape refers to the outline of your diamond. It’s the physical and visual shape of the stone. Every diamond shape has unique attributes that impact its sparkle and overall look.
Shape is often one of the first attributes that couples consider when shopping for a diamond. While round diamonds are the most popular choice, many couples are also drawn to the distinctive look of non-round, or “fancy shaped” diamonds. Fancy shaped diamonds include oval, cushion, princess, pear, emerald, marquise, asscher, radiant, and heart shaped diamonds.
As the most common brilliant-cut diamond shape, round diamonds are far and wide the most popular choice for engagement rings. With nearly 60 facets designed to maximize light return and sparkle, this dazzling shape has proven to be extremely versatile and timeless.
A scintillating twist on the classic round brilliant, this elongated shape can create the illusion of larger size while exhibiting a similar fire and brilliance. Oval diamonds are highly versatile and remarkably elegant.
Soft rounded edges differentiate cushion cut diamonds from more angular square or rectangular shapes. Refined over centuries from the old mine cut, cushion cut diamonds are a timeless, romantic choice.
Known for their contemporary style and sparkle, princess cut diamonds are the most popular fancy diamond shape. Most commonly square with four pointed corners, princess-cut diamonds feature over 70 facets which create exceptional fire and scintillation.
Pear cut diamonds feature a rounded edge tapering to a point at the opposite end, forming a symmetrical tear drop shape. Like an oval cut, this elongated shape flatters fingers while showcasing the stone’s distinctive sparkle.
Emerald cut diamonds are the most popular step-cut shape, treasured for their understated elegance and striking silhouette. The shallow pavilion and open table accentuate the clarity of the stone, while the rectangular facets offer subtle reflective shimmer.
Marquise shaped diamonds feature dramatic pointed ends with a curved middle, creating a larger surface area than any other diamond shape. This unique cut maximizes perceived size while elongating and flattering fingers. This romantic shape originated in the 18th century and offers a regal elegance that stands the test of time.
Similar to an emerald cut, asscher cut diamonds offer the brilliant shimmer of a step-cut stone. Featuring a square shape with cut corners, this shape is uniquely chic in a contemporary setting, and perfectly complements vintage styles.
The radiant cut diamond is a hybrid, combining the elegant glamour of the emerald shape with the fire and brilliance of the round. This chic, angular shape with gently trimmed corners offers a unique and modern allure.
Heart shaped diamonds shimmer with two symmetrical halves, creating a bold and romantic look. A modification of the pear shape, this feminine shape is cut with precise symmetry to showcase the diamond’s sparkle.
Though there’s a difference between shape and cut, many jewelers use the terms interchangeably. The shape is the silhouette of the stone, while the cut refers to how the light hits the facets.
Precise cuts ensure diamonds reflect light and sparkle. Professional gemologists grade a diamond’s cut by analyzing seven components: brightness, dispersion, scintillation, weight ratio, durability, polish, and symmetry. Learn more about these seven components in our diamond cuts guide.
Diamond shape describes the outline of the diamond itself. When you look at the diamond, you can discern its shape quickly. It takes a more experienced eye to notice the cut because you have to take in the facets, reflective qualities, and overall proportions of the diamond.
You can choose any shape for a diamond and then get a specific cut, like super ideal, ideal, very good, etc. No matter what cut you choose, you can still have a certain shape for the diamond.
A factor that is often overlooked is the length-to-width ratio of a diamond. It’s different for each diamond shape, but in general, the length-to-width ratio gives diamonds a look of symmetry.
Length-to-width ratio matters because it impacts how your diamond looks and can change the overall aesthetic of your ring.
A length-to-width ratio of 1 tells you that the diamond is perfectly symmetrical, as in the case of square cut, round cut, and heart shaped diamonds. Anything higher than one is an elongated diamond that covers more of your finger. Anything less will cover more of the band.
Having an ideal length-to-width ratio isn’t a necessity, but understanding the basics helps you picture what your engagement ring will look like.Anything outside of the ideal length-to-width ranges might change the brilliance and cut of the diamond. So, if the proportions of a diamond are too far off, you could potentially lose some sparkle if the diamond facets can’t catch the light in the right way.
But there’s no set length-to-width ratio you need to shop for; the right ratio for your diamond jewelry depends entirely on personal preference and how you want your diamonds to look.
Diamond shape affects price just as the 4Cs do. Anything impacting the diamond’s appearance will change the price. For example, the diamond’s length-to-width ratio can also affect the price. Anything beyond the typical range of your diamond shape is rare, so the price will adjust accordingly.
Round diamonds are so popular that the market price is higher than unique shapes. But there’s more to the cost that happens behind the scenes. The manufacturing process requires more of the rough diamond to make the perfect round shape, so you’re paying for that precision. And cutting a rough diamond into a round shape discards more diamond chips, so you’re paying for what isn’t usable in other jewelry.
Princess cut diamonds are second to round, so the price is still high, though they’re more affordable than round cut diamonds. This is because, in the manufacturing process, they use about 80% of the rough diamond to cut into a princess shape.
Radiant, emerald, cushion, and asscher cut diamonds are more affordable because they use most of the rough diamonds. Choosing a fancy-shaped diamond not only means you’ll enjoy a unique ring but also that you’re discarding fewer diamond chips and saving money, all at the same time.
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