Do you favor an emerald cut or round brilliant? If you’re thinking about buying a diamond and not sure which diamond cut is for you, have no fears. Learn about each shape and the newest styles in engagement rings right here. We’ll teach you all you need to know about diamond shapes and you can then decide which shape will be making the cut!
ROUND
The round brilliant cut is one of the most popular of the diamond shapes. It is also the most brilliant of all the cuts with a total of 58 facets. Round Brilliants make up a vast majority of diamonds found in engagement rings. To maximize the brilliance of a traditional round diamond, select one in the two highest cut grades, excellent or very good, and choose excellent or very good polish and symmetry grades.
PRINCESS
The face-up shape of the princess cut is square or rectangular and the profile or side shape is that of an inverted pyramid with four beveled sides. This shape can vary greatly in how square or rectangular they are. Its brilliance and unique cut make it a favorite for an engagement ring.
OVAL
The oval cut diamond has beautiful brilliance similar to a round diamond. The modern oval cut is a fiery cut that reflects light brilliantly. It’s a great choice for someone who loves the sparkle of a round brilliant, but desires a less common shape.
EMERALD
This shape is cut with rectangular facets which create a unique optical appearance highlighting the clarity of the diamond. The long lines of the emerald cut make it less fiery than a round brilliant, but it also tends to have broader, more dramatic flashes of light.
ASSCHER
The Asscher cut diamond was developed in 1902 by the Asscher brothers of Holland. This is a stepped square-cut often called the “square emerald cut”. This beautiful shape is nearly identical to the emerald cut except that it is square.
CUSHION
The cushion cut is a square or rectangle cut with rounded corners and 58 brilliant-style facets that resemble a pillow shape. The cushion cut was one of the most popular cuts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is making a comeback in popularity.
RADIANT
Rectangular in nature, trimmed corners are the signature of this diamond. This cut combines the elegance of the emerald shape with the brilliance of a round with its 62 facets. The radiant can be rectangular or square and looks beautiful set with either baguette or round side diamonds.
PEAR
The pear-shaped diamond is also called the “teardrop diamond” because of its shape. The pear cut is a combination of the round-brilliant and marquise cut. The pear is a fiery cut with lots of sparkle and flash.
MARQUISE
The standard marquise diamond contains 56 facets. This cut is elongated with pointed ends. It was inspired by the smile of the Marquise de Pompadour and created for France’s Louis XIV, who wanted a diamond to match her smile.
HEART
The heart shape diamond is considered to be the most romantic of all the diamond shapes. It is the ultimate symbol of love and makes for a very special and unique engagement ring. Heart shape diamonds contain approximately 59 facets, making it quite fiery with excellent sparkle.
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Great advice! So simple but often forgotten. Thanks for a great read.