How to Pick a Diamond Shape for Your Engagement Ring
An engagement ring is one of the most exciting purchases you’ll ever make. While round brilliant diamonds have traditionally been the go-to choice for engagement ring center stones, fancy shapes are now gaining popularity. With various fancy shapes to choose from, each offers a unique look and feel that can reflect your personality and taste. In this guide, we'll explore some of today’s most popular diamond shapes, including round brilliant, oval, emerald cut, princess, cushion and pear, to help you find the right shape for your engagement ring.
Round Brilliant
The round brilliant diamond is the most popular and widely recognized shape for engagement rings. Known for its timeless appeal, it has 58 facets, allowing it to reflect the maximum amount of light, resulting in unmatched brilliance. This shape is ideal for those who want a traditional, elegant look with plenty of sparkle.
The round brilliant cut’s symmetry enhances its brilliance, making it the most sparkling of all diamond shapes. This shape is versatile and works well in almost any setting, from solitaires to halo designs. It tends to be more expensive per carat because of the high demand and significant rough diamond loss during cutting.
If you're seeking a classic, versatile style that will never go out of fashion, the round brilliant diamond may be the perfect choice.
Oval
The oval diamond offers a contemporary spin on the traditional round brilliant. It has the same number of facets as a round brilliant but is elongated, giving it a distinctive shape while maintaining excellent brilliance. The oval shape creates an illusion of greater size, making it an attractive option for those seeking something unique without sacrificing sparkle.
The oval shape’s elongated form makes fingers appear slimmer and longer. It typically costs less per carat than a round diamond of similar size and quality. Choose a well-cut oval diamond to avoid the "bow-tie" effect, a visible shadow in the center, which can be present in lower-quality cuts.
If you're drawn to the brilliance of the round diamond but want something more modern and distinctive, the oval shape is a beautiful option. Its distinctive shape offers a sophisticated and contemporary feel.
Emerald Cut
The emerald cut is a step-cut diamond that exudes elegance and sophistication. With its rectangular shape and long, flat facets, it reflects light in broad flashes, creating a hall-of-mirrors effect. This cut emphasizes clarity over brilliance, giving it a subtle, refined sparkle.
The large table and step-cut facets showcase the diamond’s clarity, making inclusions more noticeable, so it's crucial to choose a higher clarity grade. The elongated shape can make the diamond appear larger than its carat weight, and its vintage style pairs well with sleek, minimalist settings.
If you appreciate understated elegance and vintage aesthetics, the emerald cut may be the perfect choice. Its long lines and mirrored look make it ideal for those who value clarity and a refined, sophisticated sparkle.
Princess Cut
The princess cut is known for its contemporary, geometric shape. With sharp corners and a square or rectangular outline, it’s the perfect choice for those seeking a modern, edgy look. Its faceting style allows for excellent brilliance, second only to the round brilliant diamond.
Sharp, square edges give the princess shape a bold, structured appearance. It offers excellent brilliance due to its modified brilliant cut, and is typically more affordable than a round brilliant diamond of similar quality because it utilizes more of the rough diamond in the cutting process.
If you prefer a modern, bold design with plenty of sparkle, the princess cut is a fantastic option. Its geometric look is ideal for those who want a chic and contemporary engagement ring.
Cushion Cut
The cushion cut, also known as the pillow cut, features soft, rounded corners and a square or rectangular shape. This cut combines vintage charm with a touch of modernity, making it a popular choice for those who appreciate romance and history.
This shape’s rounded corners give it a soft, romantic look. It has larger facets, enhancing its fire (the dispersion of light into colorful flashes). The cushion cut is available in a variety of styles, including standard and modified cushion cuts, which offer different levels of brilliance.
If you’re drawn to vintage styles with a soft, romantic feel, the cushion cut might be the perfect shape for your engagement ring. Its balance of brilliance and fire gives it an enduring charm that feels both timeless and distinctive.
Pear-Shaped
The pear-shaped diamond, often referred to as a teardrop, combines the round and marquise shapes, resulting in a unique and elegant silhouette. It’s a highly distinctive, eye-catching choice that adds a touch of femininity and individuality to any engagement ring.
Its elongated shape makes fingers appear slimmer and longer, the teardrop form creating a one-of-a-kind, graceful look.
If you want a diamond shape that stands out from the crowd and exudes femininity and grace, the pear-shaped diamond is a fantastic choice. Its unique form makes it perfect for those seeking a one-of-a-kind engagement ring.
Finding the Right Shape for You
Choosing the right diamond shape for your engagement ring is a personal decision that reflects your style and preferences. Consider factors such as how the shape complements your hand, your lifestyle and the overall look you want to achieve. Whether you prefer the timeless sparkle of a round brilliant or the vintage sophistication of an emerald cut, there’s a perfect shape for every bride-to-be. Shop a wide variety of gorgeous diamond shapes today at Meritage Jewelers.
Related Article: Unleash Your Creative With Custom Design
An engagement ring is one of the most exciting purchases you’ll ever make. While round brilliant diamonds have traditionally been the go-to choice for engagement ring center stones, fancy shapes are now gaining popularity. With various fancy shapes to choose from, each offers a unique look and feel that can reflect your personality and taste. In this guide, we'll explore some of today’s most popular diamond shapes, including round brilliant, oval, emerald cut, princess, cushion and pear, to help you find the right shape for your engagement ring.
Round Brilliant
The round brilliant diamond is the most popular and widely recognized shape for engagement rings. Known for its timeless appeal, it has 58 facets, allowing it to reflect the maximum amount of light, resulting in unmatched brilliance. This shape is ideal for those who want a traditional, elegant look with plenty of sparkle.
The round brilliant cut’s symmetry enhances its brilliance, making it the most sparkling of all diamond shapes. This shape is versatile and works well in almost any setting, from solitaires to halo designs. It tends to be more expensive per carat because of the high demand and significant rough diamond loss during cutting.
If you're seeking a classic, versatile style that will never go out of fashion, the round brilliant diamond may be the perfect choice.
Oval
The oval diamond offers a contemporary spin on the traditional round brilliant. It has the same number of facets as a round brilliant but is elongated, giving it a distinctive shape while maintaining excellent brilliance. The oval shape creates an illusion of greater size, making it an attractive option for those seeking something unique without sacrificing sparkle.
The oval shape’s elongated form makes fingers appear slimmer and longer. It typically costs less per carat than a round diamond of similar size and quality. Choose a well-cut oval diamond to avoid the "bow-tie" effect, a visible shadow in the center, which can be present in lower-quality cuts.
If you're drawn to the brilliance of the round diamond but want something more modern and distinctive, the oval shape is a beautiful option. Its distinctive shape offers a sophisticated and contemporary feel.
Emerald Cut
The emerald cut is a step-cut diamond that exudes elegance and sophistication. With its rectangular shape and long, flat facets, it reflects light in broad flashes, creating a hall-of-mirrors effect. This cut emphasizes clarity over brilliance, giving it a subtle, refined sparkle.
The large table and step-cut facets showcase the diamond’s clarity, making inclusions more noticeable, so it's crucial to choose a higher clarity grade. The elongated shape can make the diamond appear larger than its carat weight, and its vintage style pairs well with sleek, minimalist settings.
If you appreciate understated elegance and vintage aesthetics, the emerald cut may be the perfect choice. Its long lines and mirrored look make it ideal for those who value clarity and a refined, sophisticated sparkle.
Princess Cut
The princess cut is known for its contemporary, geometric shape. With sharp corners and a square or rectangular outline, it’s the perfect choice for those seeking a modern, edgy look. Its faceting style allows for excellent brilliance, second only to the round brilliant diamond.
Sharp, square edges give the princess shape a bold, structured appearance. It offers excellent brilliance due to its modified brilliant cut, and is typically more affordable than a round brilliant diamond of similar quality because it utilizes more of the rough diamond in the cutting process.
If you prefer a modern, bold design with plenty of sparkle, the princess cut is a fantastic option. Its geometric look is ideal for those who want a chic and contemporary engagement ring.
Cushion Cut
The cushion cut, also known as the pillow cut, features soft, rounded corners and a square or rectangular shape. This cut combines vintage charm with a touch of modernity, making it a popular choice for those who appreciate romance and history.
This shape’s rounded corners give it a soft, romantic look. It has larger facets, enhancing its fire (the dispersion of light into colorful flashes). The cushion cut is available in a variety of styles, including standard and modified cushion cuts, which offer different levels of brilliance.
If you’re drawn to vintage styles with a soft, romantic feel, the cushion cut might be the perfect shape for your engagement ring. Its balance of brilliance and fire gives it an enduring charm that feels both timeless and distinctive.
Pear-Shaped
The pear-shaped diamond, often referred to as a teardrop, combines the round and marquise shapes, resulting in a unique and elegant silhouette. It’s a highly distinctive, eye-catching choice that adds a touch of femininity and individuality to any engagement ring.
Its elongated shape makes fingers appear slimmer and longer, the teardrop form creating a one-of-a-kind, graceful look.
If you want a diamond shape that stands out from the crowd and exudes femininity and grace, the pear-shaped diamond is a fantastic choice. Its unique form makes it perfect for those seeking a one-of-a-kind engagement ring.
Finding the Right Shape for You
Choosing the right diamond shape for your engagement ring is a personal decision that reflects your style and preferences. Consider factors such as how the shape complements your hand, your lifestyle and the overall look you want to achieve. Whether you prefer the timeless sparkle of a round brilliant or the vintage sophistication of an emerald cut, there’s a perfect shape for every bride-to-be. Shop a wide variety of gorgeous diamond shapes today at Meritage Jewelers.
Related Article: Unleash Your Creative With Custom Design