Diamond Shapes

Round Brilliant – The Round Brilliant is the most popular diamond shape today. Not to be confused with Round, the Round Brilliant is the modern and heavily researched version of the Round, it has been refined for the maximum amount of shine and brilliance. The Round Brilliant gives you the most variety and flexibility in terms of giving you the best balance of cut, color, and clarity with the size and brilliance you want in your diamond.

Princess Cut – This is the most popular shape after the Round Brilliant, and is extremely popular for engagement rings. The Princess Cut is a square in shape, has pointed corners, and has refractive properties i.e. provides the same brilliance as a Round Cut. Princess cuts can have differing length-to-width ratios, and therefore differ in how rectangular or square they are. A square Princess Cut will have a length-to-width ratio ranging from 1.00 to 1.05, a rectangular Princess Cut will be in excess of a ratio of 1.10.

Emerald Cut – This is a rectangular shaped stone with old world elegance associated with it. An Emerald Cut Diamond’s pavilion differs from all other cuts as it is cut with rectangular facets to create a unique optical appearance. The large open table provides a mirror like appearance and highlights the clarity of the diamonds. As in the Princess Cut diamond, the length-to-width ration will determine how square or rectangular the diamond is. For a classic Emerald Cut look, the length-to-width ratio should be within the range of 1.30 to 1.40.

Asscher Cut – An Asscher Cut is essentially a square version of the Emerald Cut. It is more brilliant, has a smaller table, and a deeper pavilion. As with an Emerald Cut, the corners of the diamond are clipped to give an eight-sided diamond. The Asscher cut also has a number of parallel steps cut into the pavilion giving a fascinating optical effect that has been known to be described as a “hall of mirrors”. And again the large table of the Asscher Cut diamond highlights the clarity of the stone. Asscher Cut diamonds that have a length-to-width ratio ranging from 1.00 to 1.05 will appear square.

Marquise - A marquise diamond maximizes the carat weight of a diamond resulting in a larger diamond from the rough. Its shape is a variation of a Round Diamond that has been elongated with pointed edges (to put it rather untechnically). The length of a Marquise Diamond accentuates the length of long slender fingers. The more traditional Marquise Diamond has a length-to-width ratio with a range from 1.75 to 2.25.

Oval – An Oval shaped diamond is very similar to a Round except it is elliptical in shape. It has beautiful brilliance similar to a Round Brilliant Diamond. This shape is a popular choice as its length can enhance the beauty of long, slender fingers. Shape appeal is very important with this diamond. In a more traditional Oval Shape diamond, the length-to-width ration ranges from 1.33 to 1.66.

Radiant – This is a modified shape, a square or a rectangular diamond with clipped edges line an Emerald Cut, a combination of the fire and brilliance of a Round cut with the elegance of an Emerald Cut. This combination makes the Radiant Cut a very popular choice for Rings. The length-to-width ratio of a Radiant Cut will determine how square or rectangular it appears when viewed face-up. In a square Radiant cut, the length-to-width ratio is between 1.00 and 1.05, in a rectangular Radiant Cut, the length-to-width ratio is greater than 1.10.

Cushion – This shape also known as “Pillow Cut”, is an antique cut that has rounded corners and deep facets. A Cushion Cut diamond has a wonderfully romantic and classic look that is enjoying a surge in popularity. Cushion cuts are available in shapes that range from a square to a rectangle. The length-to-width ratio of a Cushion Cut will determine how square or rectangular it appears when viewed face-up. In a square Cushion cut, the length-to-width ratio is between 1.00 and 1.05, in a rectangular Cushion Cut, the length-to-width ratio is greater than 1.15.

Pear – The Pear Cut is in the shape of a tear-drop, and is a variation of a Round Cut. This hybrid cut combines the best qualities of an Oval and a Marquise cut to produce a dazzlingly brilliant diamond. Many of the largest stones ever discovered have been cut into this shape. Pear cut shape is extremely popular for rings and pendants. The traditional Pear shape will have a length-to-width ratio ranging from 1.45 to 1.75.

Heart – The Hear shape diamond is extremely popular with the ultimate romantics, and is a variation of the Round Cut. This shape is essentially, and rather untechnically, a Par shape with a cleft on top. In this shape, the cutter’s skill is evident in the even cut and well defined outline. The length-to-width ratio determines the face up appearance of a Heart Shape Diamond. In a traditional heart shape diamond, the length-to-width ratio should range from 0.90 to 1.15.

Trillian - Also known as Trilliants or Triangles, this is a brilliant cut diamond, which is triangular in shape. This shape was first developed in Amsterdam, and the shape can vary from pointed corners to more rounded triangular shapes. The shape is very popular for earrings and pendants, as well as for accents in three stone rings and other settings. The length-to-width determines the face up appearance, and should mostly be in the range of 1:1.