The first step to your perfect ring? A stunning center stone. Learn more about diamond shapes so you can pick the ideal diamond cut for your engagement ring.
Most Popular Diamond Shapes
The first step to your perfect ring? A stunning stone in the perfect diamond shape. Here, we go through the most popular diamond shapes and how to find the right one for you.
When shopping for a diamond, whether for an engagement ring or any other type of jewelry, you will make several important — and potentially lifelong — decisions.
While the choices you make regarding carat, color, and clarity play a significant role in finding the best possible stone, perhaps the most critical decision will be choosing a diamond shape. After all, the diamond shape is the most immediately noticeable feature of the diamond to the naked eye.
That said, unless you’re already a diamond expert, you may not have a clear idea as to what different diamond shapes are available. You also may not know which ones would be best suited to your unique personality, style, or taste.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you with our comprehensive diamond shapes guide!
Our Guide To Diamond Shapes
We’ve created a quick and easy guide to the different diamond shapes. Here you’ll find the most popular diamond cuts, along with what you should know about each.
Take a moment to see what’s out there, and find the perfect ring for your diamond jewelry collection.
ROUND BRILLIANT SHAPE
The round brilliant cut is the most popular of all diamond shapes–so much, in fact, that it has set the standard.
With 57 facets, the round diamond has ideal proportions that return an incredible amount of fire, brilliance, and scintillation. This round diamond shape has also been the benchmark for theories of light behavior and precise mathematical calculations, all in the pursuit of perfection.
Although round diamonds are the most sought-after shape, it’s still important to know what you’re looking for in terms of the 4 C’s. Always keep in mind how brilliant you want your diamond to be.
Read more about round cut lab grown diamonds here. And when you’re ready, talk with a Clean Origin diamond expert to help find your perfect stone.
PRINCESS SHAPE
Square in shape and with pointed corners, the princess cut is the most popular shape of the fancy-cut diamonds. Its beautiful brilliance and square shape make it a favorite for engagement rings. In general, jewelers polish princess cut diamonds with either 50 or 58 facets. The number of facets depends on the cut of the pavilion.
The princess cut is technically known as a “Square Modified Brilliant Cut.” It is a square version of the round brilliant cut with numerous sparkling facets.
The optimal ratio of length to width is 1:1, although a length-to-width balance between 1:1 and 1.4:1 is perfectly acceptable. Learn more about princess cut diamonds below.
EMERALD SHAPE
The emerald cut is an elegant diamond shape. Its characteristics include step-like facets, a rectangular shape, and trimmed corners. Due to its larger, open table, this shape is often reserved for top color and clarity diamonds.
The emerald cut is typically polished with 44 facets. Generally, the optimum length-to-width ratio for an emerald cut diamond should be 1.35-1.65:1, although 1.25:1 to 1.75:1 is also acceptable.
With the proper specifications, an emerald cut diamond can appear larger than life and larger than its actual carat size. Work with a diamond expert to find the perfect color and clarity to make your emerald lab grown diamond shine as bright as the stars.
Find more buyer tips and information on emerald cut diamonds below.
OVAL SHAPE
An oval diamond is an elongated version of the round brilliant. This beautiful cut gives a diamond great brilliance, fire, and scintillation if well proportioned. People also love oval diamonds because their length can accentuate long, slender fingers. Oval cut diamonds are generally polished with 56 facets.
The oval shape has a larger surface area than a round brilliant of the same carat weight; it is an excellent choice for those more concerned with size. The ideal length-to-width ratio is 1.5:1, but a range from 1.33:1 to 1.66:1 is widely acceptable.
Make sure you understand the ins and outs of oval-shaped diamonds before you decide on a final stone. Questions? Our diamond experts are happy to help you find the best oval cut diamond for you.
PEAR SHAPE
The pear shape is a unique hybrid cut. It has a teardrop shape that combines the best of the marquise and round brilliant cut.
Well-proportioned, it gives a depth of scintillation to the point of the diamond. Pear shapes are favored in rings, earrings, and pendants. Pear shapes often have 58 facets. The optimal length-to-width ratio is between 1.50 and 1.75:1.
The versatile nature of a pear shaped diamond gives you optimal looks with just one ring. Learn about the 4 C’s of pear diamonds and be sure to explore the hand-picked collection of Clean Origin pear shaped diamonds.
CUSHION SHAPE
The shape of the cushion cut is characterized by soft edges and round corners, which resemble a cushion or pillow. This type of cut has been popular since the development of the first diamond cuts. Cushion cut diamonds range from a square shape to rectangular.
If you prefer the squarer shape, look for a length-to-width ratio of 1.05 to 1.10:1. For a more rectangular shape, look for length-to-width ratios greater than 1.15:1.
Make sure you understand all aspects of a cushion cut diamond before you purchase. If you’re unsure about a particular feature, a Clean Origin rep stands by to help.
RADIANT SHAPE
If the corners on the princess cut are too harsh for your preferences, consider the radiant diamond shape. This breathtaking option provides a brilliant sparkle with beveled corners and 70 facets.
When you view it from above, the radiant cut’s high crown and small table also give it a circular pattern. You can think of the radiant shape as an easeful link between square and round diamond shapes.
The radiant diamond’s unique shape gives it the appearance of being larger than it is. And its beveled corners make it more durable than the princess cut — perfect for those who live active lifestyles.
ASSCHER SHAPE
The Asscher cut diamond is a fascinating study in diamond shape popularity. The diamond first came around in 1902, and is named after the Asscher brothers of the Asscher Diamond Company.
Asscher diamonds didn’t become a popular choice until the 1920s when their uniquely Art-Deco shape perfectly fit fashion at the time. Of course, once Art Deco became passé, the Asscher cut went out of vogue right along with it.
But the Asscher is making a comeback, and gem cutters are improving upon the original design. In order to do so, they have introduced a new-and-improved Asscher with 74 facets and significantly increased brilliance.
If you love the Art-Deco look, want something undeniably brilliant, and are after a unique diamond shape you’re not likely to see riding on the average person’s finger, then consider an Asscher diamond.
HEART SHAPE
A heart shaped diamond is just that: heart-shaped! Essentially, this shape is a pear diamond with a cleft at the top, which creates two “lobes.” In terms of diamond shape, many people consider heart diamonds the most romantic option (for obvious reasons). Also, heart diamonds are thought of as more feminine than some of the other shapes.
Heart diamonds are much less common than most other diamond shapes. Therefore, if you want something capable of standing out in a crowd, the heart shape may be right for you.
It’s Time to Find Your Perfect Diamond Shape
Now you have a basic idea of the most popular diamond shapes. From here, you should be better prepared to go in and look at diamonds for your jewelry collection. To help you further, here are some common questions that you might have:
What is the diamond shape called?
There are many different types of diamond shapes. A few of the most popular ones are: round, princess, emerald, oval, pear, cushion, radiant, Asscher, and heart shaped. No matter what kind of shape you are looking for, Clean Origin can help you find the perfect fit.
What Is the Best Diamond Shape?
The round brilliant cut is the most popular of all diamond shapes and has set the standard. But, ultimately, the best diamond shape is the one that you fall in love with. After all, your diamond should capture your unique style personality.
Which Diamond Cut Sparkles the Most?
Technically the round brilliant diamond cut sparkles the most, but it mostly depends on the quality of the cut itself. If you work with us at Clean Origin, we will make sure you find a radiant diamond cut that speaks to your heart.
Which Diamond Cut Looks the Largest?
This factor is highly dependent on the size of your diamond, but as stated above, emerald, pear, and oval cut diamonds can give the illusion of a greater diamond size. Work with one of our Clean Origin representatives, and we will help you find the perfectly sized diamond for your style.
Shop Diamond Shapes With Clean Origin
We offer an extensive selection of beautiful lab grown diamond engagement rings that feature a range of diamond shapes. Whether you want a princess cut diamond, radiant cut diamond, or love round brilliant cut diamonds, we have something you’ll love.
