The shape of a diamond is the first decision, and in many ways the most personal. It determines the entire character of the ring — its proportions, its sparkle pattern, how it photographs, how it sits on the hand, and what it communicates about the person wearing it. Unlike the four Cs, shape is entirely about aesthetics and personality. This guide walks through every major diamond shape, the ring designs that suit each one best, and the style profiles of the buyers who are drawn to them.

Round Brilliant — The Undisputed Champion of Sparkle

The round brilliant is the most popular diamond shape in the world, accounting for the majority of all diamonds sold. Its 57 or 58 facets are mathematically optimised to reflect the maximum possible light, producing the intense sparkle that most people picture when they think of a diamond. It is also the most versatile shape — it works in every setting style, in every metal, and on every hand.

Buyers drawn to the round brilliant tend to value timelessness over trend. They want a ring that will still feel exactly right in 30 years. For the classic buyer, our classic six-claw solitaire in 18k white gold is the definitive expression of the form. The four-claw solitaire in 18k white gold offers a slightly more open, modern silhouette. For those who want drama alongside classicism, the double halo round brilliant in 18k yellow gold is an extraordinary piece. Those who love a clear, simple setting will appreciate the bezel-set round brilliant in rose gold — protective, modern, and beautifully minimal.

For the buyer who wants to choose their own stone first, a 0.60ct round natural D IF Excellent GIA certified diamond offers absolute top-tier quality at a manageable carat weight — perfect for a classic four or six-claw solitaire setting.

Oval — The Modern Classic That Flatters Every Hand

Oval diamonds have been the dominant trend for several years running, and their position is showing no signs of weakening. The elongated shape creates an optical illusion that makes the finger appear longer and slimmer, while the brilliant faceting delivers sparkle comparable to a round. An oval typically appears larger face-up than a round of equivalent carat weight, making it excellent value for money.

Our oval collection is among our deepest. The Luna oval hidden halo with twist band in 18k yellow gold is one of the most original oval ring designs in our collection — the twisting band adds movement and personality. The same design in 18k white gold is a cooler, cleaner expression. The Winslow oval hidden halo with four-claw pavé setting in yellow gold is a beautifully structured design. For something more architectural, the cathedral-style oval solitaire in 18k white gold lifts the stone dramatically above the hand.

For solitaire oval lovers who want a clean, unfussy look, the oval solitaire with hidden halo in 18k yellow gold is a wonderful "best of both" — understated from a distance, spectacular up close. The Shae oval bezel solitaire in 18k yellow gold takes minimalism further — no claws, just a clean metal frame hugging the stone. The Sofia double-band oval hidden halo in 18k white gold is a sophisticated, fashion-forward take. As for loose stones, our 0.93ct oval lab grown G VS1 IGI diamond is an accessible entry into the oval world.

Cushion Cut — Soft Edges, Deep Romance

The cushion cut has existed in various forms for over 200 years, and its enduring appeal comes from a combination of softness and brilliance that no other shape quite replicates. The rounded corners make it one of the safest shapes to wear daily, and the larger, chunkier facets create a "crushed ice" sparkle that is warmer and more romantic than a round brilliant.

Buyers who choose cushion cuts tend to have a romantic, slightly nostalgic sensibility. They want something that feels like it has history. The cushion halo in 18k yellow gold is a warm, romantic combination. The cushion halo with four-claw setting is a timeless rendition, and the cushion halo with bezel-set centre stone in white gold is a more protected, minimal interpretation. For the buyer who wants twist and movement, the cushion halo with twist band in platinum is breathtaking. The Bettie cushion cut double-claw cross-over ring in platinum is a bold, fashion-forward departure from the traditional cushion halo.

The double halo is a particularly lavish cushion cut treatment — and the yellow cushion diamond double halo ring in 18k white gold is one of the most distinctive pieces in our collection, combining a fancy coloured stone with maximum architectural drama.

Emerald Cut — Architecture, Clarity & Quiet Confidence

The emerald cut is the shape for people who find flashy sparkle a little obvious. Its step-cut facets produce long, dramatic flashes of light rather than the scintillating shimmer of a brilliant cut — an effect known as the "hall of mirrors." It also shows off the interior of the diamond more than any other shape, which makes clarity especially important. An emerald cut with excellent clarity is one of the most arresting things in all of jewellery.

Buyers who choose emerald cuts tend to be self-assured, design-conscious, and drawn to clean, architectural aesthetics. The emerald cut classic four-claw solitaire in 18k white gold is a masterclass in restraint. The Tiana emerald cut twist-band double-claw ring in white gold adds movement without compromising the shape's inherent elegance, and the rose gold version — the Tiana in 18k rose gold — is softer and wonderfully romantic. The emerald cut with grain-set side stones in yellow gold gives the austere step-cut format unexpected warmth.

For a bolder look, the emerald cut hidden halo ring in rose gold surrounds the stone with a discreet crown of brilliance, while the emerald cut full halo in 18k white gold is a dramatic, full-surround expression of the design. The emerald cut trilogy ring in 18k white gold pairs the step-cut centre stone with brilliant-cut sides for a fascinating textural contrast.

Pear Shape — Drama, Femininity and Finger-Flattering Elegance

The pear shape — a teardrop with a rounded base and a pointed tip — is one of the most romantic and distinctive diamond shapes. When set with the point toward the fingernail, it creates one of the most elongating silhouettes in jewellery. It is also one of the shapes that benefits most dramatically from a halo setting, which softens the transition from the stone to the band.

The Elodie pear cut hidden halo in 18k white gold is a contemporary, thick-band interpretation that is genuinely striking. The Layal pear shape ring in 18k yellow gold is more traditionally romantic, and the Layal in platinum is its cooler, more formal counterpart. The Moni cathedral pear hidden halo solitaire in platinum lifts the stone high above the band in a dramatic, ceremonial setting.

Our 0.51ct pear natural D SI1 Excellent IGI certified loose stone is an excellent starting point for a custom pear solitaire commission — top colour and a well-graded cut at a very accessible carat weight.

Marquise — The Boldest Shape for the Most Confident Buyer

The marquise is football-shaped with two sharp points, and it is the most elongating of all diamond shapes — a one-carat marquise will look significantly larger than a one-carat round on the finger. It is a bold, fashion-forward shape that attracts buyers who are not afraid to stand out. In recent years, the "east-west" setting — where the marquise is rotated 90 degrees to sit horizontally across the finger — has become particularly popular.

The Delilah marquise solitaire with six-claw thick band in platinum is an authoritative, dramatic ring. The Violet marquise twist split band hidden halo in 18k white gold is a more feminine, intricate take on the shape. The Eiditta marquise hidden halo six-claw ring in platinum is a favourite for its balance of structure and softness. For the horizontal east-west aesthetic, the Bena trilogy east-west oval in platinum gives a sense of how compelling horizontal stone orientation can be.

Princess Cut — Geometric Precision for the Modern Minimalist

The princess cut is a square diamond with sharp, uncut corners and brilliant-cut faceting — the most technically demanding of all square shapes. It combines the geometric precision of a square with a brilliance that rivals the round, and it is a perennial favourite with buyers who want a contemporary, clean-lined ring.

The princess cut classic four-claw solitaire in 18k white gold is a definitive expression of modern minimalism. The Bena princess cut cross-over double-claw ring in 18k yellow gold adds movement and personality to the sharp-edged stone — one of our most admired princess cut designs. The Bena in platinum is equally compelling. The princess cut with channel-set side stones in platinum is a more formal, structured look — excellent for buyers who want a band feel to their engagement ring.

Radiant Cut — The Best of Both Worlds

The radiant cut combines the rectangular outline of an emerald cut with the brilliant-cut faceting of a round — giving you strong, clean lines and maximum sparkle in the same stone. It is the shape for buyers who love the proportions of the emerald cut but want more fire and brilliance in their stone.

The radiant cut four-claw solitaire in 18k white gold is a clean, strong design that lets the stone speak for itself. The Margo radiant cut twist-band double-claw ring in yellow gold adds personality and movement. The Mia radiant cut hidden halo in rose gold is feminine and dazzling — the hidden halo under a radiant cut is a particularly beautiful combination. For an even bolder statement, the radiant square halo ring in 18k yellow gold frames the stone with a full surround of brilliance.

In loose stones, a 0.44ct radiant lab grown F VVS2 IGI certified diamond is a beautiful entry point for a custom radiant solitaire, and our 0.30ct radiant natural G VS1 GIA certified stone offers the same shape in a natural diamond at a very accessible price.

Asscher Cut — The Art Deco Vault

The Asscher cut is a square step-cut diamond with deeply cropped corners, giving it an almost octagonal outline. It was developed in 1902 by the Asscher family of Amsterdam and became the signature stone of the Art Deco era. Looking into a well-cut Asscher is like looking into an endless series of concentric squares — the "hall of mirrors" effect is even more pronounced than in an emerald cut.

Buyers who choose Asscher cuts are often drawn to history, architecture and understatement. The Asscher classic four-claw solitaire in 18k yellow gold is a faithful Art Deco homage. The Asscher on a knife-edge band in platinum is more contemporary — the knife-edge band creates an illusion of weightlessness under the stone. The same design in 18k rose gold is softer and warmer while retaining the shape's inherent geometric rigour.

Heart Shape — For the Buyer Who Wears Their Love Openly

The heart-shaped diamond is not for the ambivalent. It is the most explicitly romantic diamond shape, and it attracts buyers who feel no need to be subtle about how they feel. It requires considerable skill to cut well — symmetry is critical, and the two lobes must be perfectly matched. In the right setting, it is genuinely spectacular.

Our loose 0.96ct heart natural G SI1 GIA certified diamond is a beautifully proportioned stone, and our extraordinary 3.05ct heart lab grown F SI1 IGI certified diamond makes a statement that very few rings can match.

Fancy Coloured Diamonds — When White Simply Won't Do

Fancy coloured diamonds are among the rarest and most valuable objects on earth in their natural form. In lab grown versions, they are accessible in sizes and intensities that would be otherwise unattainable. Our collection spans the full spectrum.

For a yellow diamond, the fancy yellow pear diamond halo ring in 18k white gold is a classic pairing — the cool white gold intensifies the warmth of the yellow stone. The fancy yellow oval diamond halo with split bow shank is a more fashion-forward, sculptural design. The fancy yellow cushion cut double halo in white gold is pure drama. For pink diamonds, the 0.82ct fancy vivid green lab grown round VS1 Excellent IGI is one of the most extraordinary coloured stones in our current collection — vivid green is among the rarest fancy colours in existence. For blue, our 0.29ct fancy intense blue marquise lab grown IGI is a perfectly formed stone with a saturated, electric colour.

Beyond the Shape: Setting Styles That Transform Any Stone

The setting is what gives a diamond shape its context, personality and wearability. Here are the most significant setting styles across our collection that have not yet been covered above.

Cross-Over & Twist Bands

Cross-over and twist band settings give a ring a sense of movement and dynamism. The Reem antique halo twist band oval ring in platinum is a romantically complex design that rewards close attention. The flower twist band oval ring in 18k yellow gold is playful and organic. The Bravo pear cross-over double-claw ring in platinum is a bold, structural design built around the drama of the pear shape.

Split Bands

A split band forks as it approaches the centre stone, framing it from two sides. The effect is both architectural and organic. The round cut split band halo ring in platinum is an elegantly proportioned example — the split adds width without bulk. The brilliant cut halo split band ring in 18k white gold is a cleaner, more modern version of the same idea.

Open & Stackable Rings

Not every diamond ring needs to anchor a centre stone. Open and stackable diamond rings can be worn alone or layered to build a custom look. The open round cut anniversary ring in 18k yellow gold is a modern, sculptural piece, and the open stackable ring with six-claw setting in 18k white gold is effortlessly wearable alongside almost any engagement ring.

Frequently Asked Questions