Picking an engagement ring? The diamond shape is everything. Forget just carats and clarity—diamond shape totally changes the vibe of the ring, how much it sparkles, and even what kind of setting looks best. Choosing from all the diamond shapes can feel like a lot.
This guide is here to help you nail down the perfect diamond ring shape that screams “you.” How shapes of diamonds are cut greatly affects how they shine and what statement they make.
What Is a Diamond Shape?
Let’s be clear: diamond cut and diamond shape are two different things. Think of the shape as the diamond’s outline—round, square, long, or something totally unique? Cut is all about how well the diamond’s surfaces are angled to play with light. A great cut means mega sparkle, no matter the shape.
Here’s how diamond shape matters:
- Style: A princess cut? Modern and edgy. Cushion cut? Think vintage romance. A heart-shaped diamond? It’s all about the love.
- Setting: Some diamond shapes just click with certain settings. An emerald cut shines with crisp bezel settings, while a round brilliant looks fantastic in a straightforward solitaire. Channel settings highlight rows of smaller stones, like princess cuts.
- Sparkle: Different shapes bounce light differently. The most dazzling of the group, a round brilliant is a master of glitter. Emerald cuts have a sleek, subtle glow. Radiant cuts nicely blend the rectangular and round shapes.
Your preferred diamond shapes reveal a lot about you. A round brilliant is straightforward and traditional. A marquise or princess cut is daring. Or perhaps a heart-shaped object appeals to your romantic side. Take a look at what speaks to you to find your perfect fit.
Popular Diamond Shape Names and Styles
Ready to get familiar with diamond shape names? Here’s the rundown:
- Round Brilliant Cut: The most common option is the round brilliant cut. It represents enduring beauty since it is made for maximum shine. Round brilliant cuts can cost more than other shapes of the same carat since everyone wants them.
- Princess Cut: Dig clean lines? This square shape is modern and often looks bigger than a round brilliant of the same size. The light is truly made to dance by the angles of the princess cut.
- Cushion Cut: This one’s got vintage vibes. It’s soft and squarish with rounded edges, almost like a pillow. Perfect if you’re into antique jewellery or just want a softer look. Cushion cuts come in different proportions, from truly square to more rectangular.
- Oval Cut: This stylish and lengthy design gives the impression that fingers are longer. It rivals the round brilliant in terms of sparkle, and it can seem bigger for the budget. The way an oval cut is shaped also hides flaws well.
- Emerald Cut: This rectangular shape has step cuts that give off a cool hall-of-mirrors effect. It’s quietly elegant and sophisticated and really shows off a diamond’s clarity. Because of its clean look, make sure to choose a nice grade.
- Marquise Cut: Shaped like a boat, this diamond looks huge for its carat weight. Additionally, fingers appear slimmer due to their lengthy curve. You can wear it horizontally or pointing up.
- Pear Cut: A teardrop, that is. The distinctive and fashionable pear cut is ideal for creating a statement. Wear the point toward your fingertip for an elongating effect. Like the marquise, watch out for symmetry with this cut.
- Asscher Cut: Like emerald cuts but square, Asscher cuts have step-cut facets, which create a geometric pattern. It’s a popular pick for vintage-style rings. Fun fact: Asscher cuts can only be truly called ‘Asscher Cut’ if purchased from the company that made them.
- Radiant Cut: A hybrid of step and brilliant cuts, the radiant cut blends the form of an emerald cut with the glimmer of a round brilliant. The result is both dazzling and refined. Usually, radiant cuts have trimmed corners, too, making them pretty sturdy.
- Heart-Shaped Diamond: The ultimate symbol of romance. A diamond in the shape of a heart is a daring and heartfelt way to express love. Symmetry is key with heart-shaped diamonds!
How to Choose the Right Diamond Ring Shape
Picking the right diamond ring shape is all about what you like, so here are some things to keep in mind:
- Hand Shape and Finger Size: If you have short fingers, longer shapes such as oval, marquise, and pear cuts can make them look longer. Princess and Asscher cuts look really nice on longer fingers. Big bands can shorten how long the ring looks so maybe try a thinner band.
- Setting Styles: What kind of setting do you want? Solitaires show off the diamond, while halos make it look bigger and add sparkle. Bezels are modern and protect the diamond. The diamond receives a lot of light from the prongs. Pick a setting that works with your diamond shape.
- Personal Style and Trends: What makes you feel like you? Are you classic or more modern? Pick a diamond shape that matches your vibe. Checking out what’s trendy can be fun, too. It’s cool to consider celebrity-inspired diamond shape names.
Sparkle and Budget Tips:
- Round brilliant cuts sparkle the most but you do have to pay for it.
- Princess cuts and oval cuts are sparkly alternatives that are more affordable.
- If you want a big look on a smaller budget, consider cushion cuts or marquise cuts.
Shapes of Diamonds and Their Price Impact
Diamond prices depend on the 4Cs (cut, clarity, carat, and colour) and also shape.
- Round diamonds are usually pricier because more of the rough diamond gets cut away in the shaping. Plus, they’re always in demand. Expect to pay 10% to 40% (or more) above fancy shapes.
- Want the most bang for your buck? Check out princess cuts, oval cuts, and cushion cuts because they use more of the original rough stone, which is less waste in cost. These can be 10% to 42% cheaper than a round brilliant of similar quality and carat weight.
Carat size and cut quality matter for every shape. A diamond that has been cut well will always dazzle more and retain its worth better.
The Most Popular Trends in Diamond Ring Shapes
The round brilliant cut stays popular, but other shapes are trending for engagement rings:
- Oval cuts are hot right now because they’re so elegant and flatter fingers.
- Cushion cuts are still popular for their vintage feel.
- Pear cuts and marquise cuts are getting more attention because people are seeking something different.
Watch those celebrity-inspired diamond shape names; a celebrity’s favourite can affect what customers want.
Key Takeaways
Choosing a diamond shape means thinking about style, setting, sparkle, and budget:
- Shape defines the ring’s look; cut affects vibrancy.
- Think about your hand shape, style, and preferred setting.
- Round brilliant cuts sparkle a lot but cost more.
- Princess, oval, and cushion cuts are a good value.
- Follow the trends, but make sure you love it.