10 Different Diamond Shapes for Engagement Rings Explained
Choosing between different diamond shapes for an engagement ring is a big decision. You want to select a diamond with excellent color and clarity, a cut that sparkles with fire and brilliance, and a carat weight suitable to your budget.
Read on to learn about the most popular diamond shapes in detail to make an informed decision when picking out an engagement ring.
1. Round brilliant cut
A round brilliant cut is the most desirable and timeless of the diamond shapes. It features 57 facets cut in a classic style, designed to catch the light and optimize sparkle. This shape has 33-brilliant cut triangular and kite-shaped facets on top and 25 on the lower pavilion, making it one of the most intricate and expensive. It’s no wonder the round brilliant represents more than half of all diamonds found in engagement rings.
2. Princess cut
The princess cut diamond is popular in modern engagement ring styles. It’s a contemporary take on a timeless gem, with a square or diamond shape, pointed corners, and up to 58 facets. Give your future fiancée all the sparkle of a round brilliant cut but in a more modern, square design.
3. Emerald
The emerald is one of the most recognizable types of diamond shapes for its long, rectangular shape and Art Deco step-cut sensibility. As the name suggests, the technique used to cut this shape was originally used to cut emeralds, giving the gem straight lines and a large, flat table surface that compliments the clarity of the diamond.
4. Oval
Oval diamonds give any ring a unique and sophisticated look. Because of their elongated, oblong shape, they can appear larger than other rings of the same carat, making them a popular choice. This durable shape has 58 facets and a similar fire and brilliance to a round cut diamond, giving a beautiful sparkle to your loved one’s finger.
5. Marquise
If your spouse-to-be loves an elegant, vintage look or simply appreciates the finer things in life, they may prefer a Marquise shape to a more modern style. A Marquise has the most surface area of any diamond shape, with a narrow, elongated look that flatters the hand and catches the eye. This stylish and timeless shape has been around for hundreds of years.
6. Pear
A pear cut — or pear shape — diamond combines the brilliance of a round diamond with the elongated shape of a Marquise, giving it the signature teardrop shape it’s best known for. The mix of curved and sharp edges maximizes brilliance while hiding inclusions, making it a cost-effective option.
Many modern couples are opting for a stylish pear shape over a classic round or Marquise. The shape sparkles brighter than many other styles and makes the finger appear more slender. The asymmetrical shape gives the wearer two options — wear the diamond facing up or down depending on mood.
7. Cushion
If the person you’re proposing to enjoys a classic, romantic aesthetic, they’ll likely prefer a cushion cut diamond in their engagement ring. This timeless shape suits a solitaire ring, as it stands alone with style. The name comes from the fact that it resembles a pillow or cushion with rounded edges on a square shape.
Cushion shaped diamonds come with a variety of cut options, including brilliant and modified brilliant, which maximize the diamond’s light return. Crushed Ice comes with shortened star facets, and Old Mine or Miner’s Cut features a historic look and “chunky” cut geometric facets, similar to rings fashioned from diamonds in the 1700s.
8. Asscher
The Asscher diamond is the rarest, offering a classic diamond shape with a modern silhouette. Its distinguished emerald-like step cut is emphasized by a smaller table, brilliant trimmed edges, and up to 74 facets that give it more sparkle than most shapes. The Asscher Brothers of Holland created this diamond shape over a century ago, and it continues to be a beloved, distinctive-looking gem style to this day.
9. Radiant
A radiant is one of the least expensive of the different shapes of diamonds you can get without sacrificing brilliance and fire. This cut was first designed by Henry Grossbard in the 1970s and has continued to increase in popularity in the 21st century. It features a tasteful emerald shape with cropped corners and 70 facets in the crown and pavilion. This style is often compared to a block of ice, with plenty of shimmer and cuts that can hide inclusions while reflecting light into a brilliant sparkle.
10. Heart
When it comes to romantic engagement rings, you can’t go wrong with a heart-shaped diamond. This is the epitome of loving symbolism, telling your partner how much they mean to you. Heart- shaped diamonds are precisely symmetrical, cut with 56 to 58 facets in a refined look that ignites passion with its excellent scintillation, fire, and proportion.
Visit Jeweler’s Touch Online or In Store Today
Jeweler’s Touch offers a variety of brands and engagement ring styles in-store and online. If you’re looking for something more unique, we also create special pieces that don't just showcase diamonds.
Show the love of your life how well you know them by designing your own engagement ring with any gem and creating the perfect piece.
When you’re ready to take the next step, make an appointment online or drop by our store. Whether you’re looking for a classic engagement ring style or a more modern look, we’ll help you make the most important day of your relationship sparkle with the right diamond shape.