6 Engagement Ring Diamond Shapes to Know
As you're designing your dream engagement ring, one of the first decisions to tackle is what shape you want your diamond to be. Choosing the perfect cut comes down to personal taste, but there are certain pros that come with each diamond shape that may sway your opinion. Below, we've outlined six engagement ring diamond shapes and what to look for and prioritize when shopping for each.
ROUND CUT: The most classic choice for an engagement ring, round diamonds provide exceptional sparkle and fire. In fact, round cuts are the most popular engagement ring diamond shape due to their brilliance, light performance, and ability to offer maximum sparkle. They make up approximately three-quarters of all diamond purchases. However, round-cut diamonds are also the most expensive. The shape means that a lot of diamond is lost when cutting, increasing the final price.
Only round diamonds receive a cut grade, which is determined by how precisely proportioned the diamond is. We only offer excellent cut round diamonds to ensure they’re as sparkly as can be. Their intense sparkle is also great for hiding inclusions, so you can confidently buy a lower clarity to balance your budget.
OVAL CUT: Oval engagement rings, especially as a striking solitaire, have seen a surge in popularity as of late. By far our most popular cut, ovals are beloved for their brilliance and flattering elongated shape. Ovals also have great spread, meaning that because they have a longer shape, they tend to look larger than their actual carat weight. The oval cut disperses color, meaning you can’t see any warmth from a lower color grade.
PEAR CUT: For someone who wants to stand out and loves something unique, a pear shape is a great choice. A pear-cut diamond gets its name because of its single point and rounded end. Like ovals, pear-cut diamonds have a slimming effect on fingers. Super brilliant and a flattering elongated shape, pears are another spready diamond that tend to look larger than their carat weight.
EMERALD CUT: Sleek and sophisticated, emerald cuts are ideal for the minimalist. An emerald-cut diamond is cut with rectangular facets, giving it its unique appearance, and its rectangular shape is super flattering and elongates the finger. Emerald cuts are step cuts-they have long, linear facets resembling a set of stairs. These facets make it easier to see a diamond’s inclusions, so we recommend a clarity grade of VS2 or higher for this diamond shape.
CUSHION CUT: Cushions have been popular for over a century. A square or slightly elongated square with rounded corners, each cushion shape is unique. Cushions are very brilliant and super sparkly, which helps hide inclusions.
RADIANT CUT: Radiants are the perfect solution if you love the shape of an emerald and the sparkle of an oval! This diamond shape is a mixed cut, with a combination of brilliant and step-cut facets. Their shape intensifies color, so we recommend shopping I color and above.