What Is Diamond Shape?
Diamond shape refers to the geometric form or outline of a diamond when viewed from above. It is the primary visual characteristic that influences a diamond's overall appearance and style. The shape of a diamond can greatly affect how light is reflected and refracted, thereby impacting its brilliance and sparkle.
Shape is often one of the first attributes considered when shopping for a diamond. While round diamonds are the most traditional choice, many people are also drawn to the distinctive look of fancy-shaped diamonds, like oval, cushion, princess, pear, emerald, marquise, asscher, radiant, or heart-shaped diamonds.
Diamond Shape vs. Diamond Cut: Are They the Same?
While diamond shape and diamond cut are often used interchangeably, they are not the same. Diamond shape refers to the outline or external form of the diamond, such as round, oval, or princess. On the other hand, diamond cut refers to how well the diamond's facets interact with light, which affects its brilliance, fire, and scintillation. The cut quality is determined by the diamond's proportions, symmetry, and polish. A diamond's shape is its physical form, while its cut quality influences its visual performance. You can choose any shape for a diamond and then get a specific cut, like Super Ideal, Very Good, or Good, depending on how much light reflection and sparkle you want.
Popular Diamond Shapes
Round Shaped Diamonds
The round diamond shape, also known as round brilliant, is the most popular and traditional shape. It features 57 facets, maximizing its brilliance and fire. The round shape offers incredible light performance due to its symmetrical shape and precise cut proportions, making it a timeless choice.
Oval Shaped Diamonds
Oval diamonds are elongated and elegant, offering a unique twist on the classic round shape. The elongated form can make the finger appear longer and slimmer, making it a flattering choice for many wearers.
Cushion Shaped Diamonds
Cushion-shaped diamonds have rounded corners and brilliant facets. This shape combines a square or rectangular outline with soft, rounded edges, giving it a vintage yet contemporary appeal. Cushions can have a “chunky” or “crushed ice” appearance based on the facet arrangement.
Princess Shaped Diamonds
The princess cut is a modern and popular choice, known for its sharp, square shape with pointed corners. It offers a high level of brilliance due to its facet arrangement, combining traditional and contemporary styles. The princess shape works well in various settings and is often chosen for its bold and dramatic look.
Pear Shaped Diamonds
Pear-shaped diamonds, also known as teardrop diamonds, combine the best features of round and marquise shapes. This unique shape has a rounded end on one side and a pointed tip on the other, creating a stunning and versatile design. Pear-shaped diamonds can appear larger than their carat weight and are often used in pendants and earrings as well as rings.
Emerald Shaped Diamonds
Emerald-shaped diamonds are known for their step-cut facets, creating a “hall of mirrors” effect. This rectangular shape with beveled corners emphasizes clarity and luster over brilliance, offering a sophisticated and elegant look. Emerald cuts are ideal for those who appreciate understated, timeless beauty.
Marquise Shaped Diamonds
Marquise diamonds have an elongated shape with pointed ends, creating a striking and elegant appearance. This shape can maximize carat weight, making the diamond appear larger than other shapes of the same weight. Marquise diamonds are excellent for those seeking a unique and dramatic look.
Asscher Shaped Diamonds
Asscher-shaped diamonds feature a square shape with deeply trimmed corners and a step-cut facet structure. This shape is similar to the emerald cut with a higher crown and smaller table. The Asscher cut offers a vintage charm and is often chosen for its distinct and bold appearance.
Radiant Shaped Diamonds
Radiant-shaped diamonds combine the elegant outline of the emerald shape with the brilliance of the round shape. This square or rectangular shape with trimmed corners and a brilliant-cut facet pattern offers a unique blend of sparkle and elegance. Radiant cuts are versatile and work well in various settings.
Heart Shaped Diamonds
Heart-shaped diamonds are a romantic and symbolic choice, featuring a unique and unmistakable shape. Heart shapes require precise cutting to ensure symmetry and brilliance, making it one of the most challenging shapes to perfect.
What Is Diamond Length-to-Width Ratio?
Length-to-width ratios are a key measurement in determining the proportion and appearance of certain diamond shapes. This ratio is calculated by dividing the length of the diamond by its width, providing a numerical value that describes the diamond's outline. For example, a diamond with a length of 10mm and a width of 5mm would have a length-to-width ratio of 2.0. This ratio is particularly important for elongated diamond shapes such as oval, marquise, pear, and emerald cuts, where the proportion greatly affects the diamond's appearance. For example:
- Visual Appearance: The ratio can make a diamond appear longer and slimmer or shorter and broader. An oval diamond with a higher length-to-width ratio will look more elongated, while one with a lower ratio will appear more rounded.
- Maximized Brilliance: Diamonds with well-balanced proportions reflect light more effectively, enhancing their brilliance and sparkle.
- Enhanced Visual Size: A well-proportioned diamond can appear larger than one with poor proportions. For example, a marquise diamond with the right length-to-width ratio will maximize its surface area, making it look more substantial on the finger.
By selecting diamonds with ideal length-to-width ratios, buyers can ensure their diamonds have a balanced and aesthetically pleasing appearance, enhancing the overall beauty and appeal of their jewelry.
Diamond Shape FAQ
What is the best diamond shape?
The best diamond shape is subjective and depends on personal preference, style, and the desired look. Round diamonds are the most popular due to their timeless appeal and excellent light performance. However, other shapes like oval, cushion, and princess offer unique attributes that may be more suitable for individual tastes.
What diamond shape looks the biggest?
Diamond shapes that maximize surface area, such as marquise, oval, and pear, tend to look larger than other shapes of the same carat weight. These shapes elongate the diamond, creating the illusion of a bigger size. Choosing a shape with a larger table facet can also enhance the diamond's apparent size.
What is the most expensive diamond shape?
Round diamonds are typically the most expensive due to their high demand and the amount of rough diamond lost during the cutting process. The precision required to cut a round diamond to achieve optimal brilliance also contributes to its higher price. Other shapes, such as emerald and Asscher, may also be costly depending on their quality and rarity.
How does diamond shape affect price?
Diamond shape affects price based on the demand, cutting process, and yield from the rough diamond. Shapes like round are more expensive due to their popularity and the precision required in cutting.
Which diamond shape sparkles the most?
Round brilliant diamonds are renowned for their exceptional sparkle due to their ideal facet arrangement and symmetrical shape. The round shape maximizes light performance, producing the highest level of brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
What is the most popular diamond shape?
The round brilliant diamond is the most popular shape, chosen for its timeless appeal and unmatched brilliance. Its versatility and classic design make it a favorite for engagement rings and other fine jewelry. Other popular shapes include princess, oval, and cushion, each offering unique aesthetic qualities.
Can you change the shape of a diamond?
Changing the shape of a diamond is possible but involves re-cutting the stone, which can result in a loss of carat weight and potential value. This process requires skilled craftsmanship to ensure the new shape maximizes the diamond's brilliance and maintains its structural integrity. It is typically done to enhance the diamond's appearance or to repair damage.
What is the bowtie effect?
The bow tie effect is a dark shadow that can appear across the center of elongated diamond shapes, such as oval, marquise, and pear. This effect occurs when light does not reflect optimally within the diamond due to an excessively shallow or deep pavillion, creating a bow-tie-like shadow. The visibility of the bow tie effect can vary based on the diamond's cut quality and proportions. High-quality cuts minimize this effect, enhancing the diamond's overall appearance.
