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There are many diamond shapes such as Round, Oval, Princess, Cushion, Radiant, Emerald Cut, Asscher, Marquise, Pear, and Heart Cuts. These shapes are the main shapes used for engagement rings, and they are mostly brilliant and step cut diamonds. However, there are many other cuts like trillion cuts, baguettes, and carre cuts, which are less common in jewellery and engagement rings. While diamond shape and cut are used as synonyms for one another, the key difference is cut encompasses the shape of a diamond, while diamond shape doesn’t encompass the complete cut of a diamond.
What is a Diamond Shape?
Diamond shape refers to the physical geometric appearance of a diamond, after it’s been cut from its rough form. Each shape of diamond has its own unique characteristics impacting its fire and scintillation. Diamond shapes can be categorised as either fancy or non-fancy (round cuts) shapes. Non-fancy cuts have a standardised cut, while non-fancy cuts have no standardised cut.
What are the Different Types of Diamond Shapes?
There are many different diamond shapes, the main shapes of diamonds are in the list below:
- Round
- Oval
- Princess
- Cushion
- Radiant
- Emerald Cut
- Asscher
- Marquise
- Pear
- Heart Cut
Round Shaped Diamonds
Round cut diamonds are a brilliant cut diamond featuring 57 facets (58 facets if you include the culet). Invented in 1919 by Marcel Tolkowsky, brilliant round cuts are the most popular diamond shape and are known for their scintillation and fire. They are also the most expensive diamond cut, due to the extensive work required to cut a round cut from a diamond's rough form.
Oval Shaped Diamonds
Oval shaped diamonds are a modified brilliant cut shape very similar to the round brilliant cut, with a slightly more elongated aesthetic. The most popular version of the oval cut was created in 1957 by Lazare Kaplan. Due to the ovals' elongated shape it can appear larger than other shapes in the same size with a similar sparkle to round cut. Unlike round cuts, oval’s don’t have their own standardised cut.
Cushion Shaped Diamonds
Cushion cut diamonds are a square or rectangular outline featuring mixed cuts and soft rounded corners. The first cushion cut variation was created in the 1700’s, it was inspired by the old mine-cut. It was the most popular diamond shape up until the 19th century. There are 3 main cushion cut variations: The cushion brilliant, cushion hybrid and the most common is the modified brilliant cushion cut.
Princess Shaped Diamonds
Princess cut diamonds are known for having pointed corners, 50 - 58 facets, square or rectangular outline and being mixed cut. The current princess cut otherwise known as square modified brilliant was created in 1980. Due to their unique look, Princess cuts are a very popular and contemporary option.
Radiant Shaped Diamonds
Radiant Cut diamonds are a mixed cut, with around 70 facets in a rectangular or square shape. They were invented in 1977 by a diamond cutter called Henry Grossbard, after Henry was inspired to make an emerald cut with more brilliance resulting in the radiant. Unlike the round cut it doesn’t have a standard cut and can differ from diamond cutter to diamond cutter. Radiant cut diamonds are a sparkly, and modern option for your jewellery.
Emerald Shaped Diamonds
Emerald cut diamonds are a classic step cut shape, famous for their rectangular outline with cut off corners, they can also come in a square. Emerald cuts are popular because of their long rectangular facets and its open table, which showcases the clarity of the diamond. The emerald cut was first invented in the 1500's, originally designed for the beautiful emerald gemstone.
Asscher Shaped Diamonds
Asscher cut diamonds are also a step cut shape, like emerald cuts. This diamond cut features a square shape with cut corners. The asscher cut received its name Asscher cuts are a very classical and vintage cut, used in antique jewellery. This diamond cut was named after its inventor Joseph Asscher, when it was created in 1902.
Pear Shaped Diamonds
Pear cut diamonds otherwise known as tear drop diamonds, are a modified brilliant cut diamond with a round end tapering to a singular point. It resembles a combination between the oval and marquise shaped diamond. The pear shaped diamond was invented in 1475 by a diamond polisher Lodewyk Van Bercken. Pear cuts have tremendous brilliance and scintillation to them, which has caused them to become a popular cut in recent times. The pear cut doesn’t have a standard cut unlike non fancy cuts, emphasising the importance of having an experienced jeweller when purchasing a pear cut diamond.
Marquise Shaped Diamonds
Marquise cut diamonds are a modified brilliant cut shape, with an oval like appearance with a pointed tip on each end. The marquise was invented in the 18th century after King Louis XV commissioned the cut of diamond after his mistress’s lips. This classic stone also gives the appearance of being larger than other cuts in the same size.
Heart Shaped Diamonds
Heart cut diamonds are a modified brilliant cut, with two symmetrical round ends tapering down to a singular point all in the shape of a heart. The first mention of a heart shaped diamond can be traced back to the 14th century. This shape carries a lot of symbolism with it and its contemporary design makes it a great option for an engagement ring.
Other and Custom Cut Diamonds
There are many different shapes of diamond but most of them aren’t commonly used in jewellery or aren’t made into these shapes by diamond cutters. Some of these shapes include; trillion cut, baguettes, tapered baguettes, batman cut, carre, trapezoid, half moon, old miners cut, old european cut and many more. Shapes like half moon, baguettes, tapered baguettes, and trapezoids are used for side stones. Custom diamond cuts are also another option where diamond cutters are able to create a diamond in a shape personalised to your tastes, but this is typically a very expensive option and unique alternative to the most common diamond shapes.
What’s the difference between diamond shape and diamond cut?
Diamond shape refers to the physical geometric appearance of a diamond. Diamond cut refers to the symmetry, polish, proportion and angles of the diamond facets by a diamond cutter. The key difference is that a diamond shape is the outline of the diamond, while cut looks at each individual stone and the facets that form the diamond shape.The shape of a diamond is easily discernible when looking at the diamond, whereas cut requires expertise and microscopes to be assessed. The terms are used as synonyms of one another, but they do refer to slightly different aspects of a diamond.
How does the shape of a diamond Diamond Shape affect price?
The shape of a diamond does have an impact on its price. Specifically, non fancy cuts (round cut diamonds), which on average are 15 - 30% more expensive than fancy cuts. When cutting a rough diamond into a shape, the shapes that require more labour/cutting are more expensive. This is because there is more wastage of the diamond in its rough form, and as a result higher price for the diamond shape. The round cut diamond is the most expensive shape due to it producing the most wastage and requiring the most labour out of all brilliant cut diamonds.
What diamond shapes are used for engagement rings?
Round, oval, princess, cushion, radiant, emerald cut, asscher, marquise, pear and heart shaped, are the most popular diamond shapes used for centre stones in engagement rings. When it comes to side stones the most popular diamond shapes are round, princess, pear, baguettes, tapered baguettes, and trapezoid’s. While those cuts and shapes are the most common, other cuts like trillion cut, baguettes, tapered baguettes, batman cut, and carre cuts are also used for engagement rings.
What's the best shape of a diamond for an engagement ring?
The best shape of diamond for an engagement ring comes down to your preference and tastes, but brilliant round cut diamonds are the most popular diamond shape for an engagement ring. Princess’, oval’s, and cushions are also very popular options for your engagement ring. It’s important to look at your engagement ring style, setting and metal type to help guide you for the best shape.
How does the shape of a diamond affect the style of an engagement ring?
The shape of your gemstone does have an effect on your engagement ring style. Solitaire, three stone and side stone styles are minimally affected by the shape of the centre stone in your engagement ring. Halo styles are largely dependent upon the shape of the centre stone, as the halos surrounding the centre stone are mainly in the same shape as the centre stone. Therefore, when choosing a style the shape of your diamond is important to consider especially if you’re considering a halo style.
Does the shape of the diamond affect the setting of an engagement ring?
Yes, the shape of the gemstone does affect the setting of an engagement ring. Particular shapes shouldn’t be set in certain settings due to the stability and security of these shapes in these settings. Settings also impact the diamond's brilliance and appearance of your engagement ring.
