Find the Diamond Shape That Celebrates Your Love Story

Picking the perfect diamond cut can seem like a minefield. With so much choice, how do you choose something they will adore? Whether they love tradition or have their own unique or quirky style, read on to discover all there is to know about the different diamond cuts.

26 September 2022 - Ernest Jones Writer

Different diamond cuts have been designed over the years to add variation to the ever-popular brilliant cut diamond shape, which is the most popular of the diamond shapes, with round engagement rings being chosen the most. This leaves the other diamond shapes vying for a place at the top of the remaining space in the diamond popularity stakes. We feel each is deserving of a little love, and in this article, we’ll tell you why.

What are the Main Shapes of Diamond Rings?

There are probably far more cuts of engagement rings than you might realise, but we’re going to focus on nine of the most well-known diamond shapes for rings and give you each of the diamond shape names, so you have everything you need when you search online or in-store. Plus discover who different types of diamond cuts might be best suited to and why each has its own unique beauty.

WHAT IS DIAMOND SHAPE?

Diamond shape refers to the geometric appearance of a diamond. Diamond shapes are categorised into two groups: round diamonds and fancy shape diamonds. Round diamonds, also known as round brilliant cuts, are the most traditional diamond shape. Fancy shape diamonds refer to any diamond that is not a round brilliant, including princess, baguette, emerald, oval, pear, marquise, and radiant.

The Princess Cut Diamond

Square cut diamond rings have been hot on the heels of their spherical cousin for many years, and they are a very popular choice amongst those hoping for an excitable ‘yes!’ from their loved one. Beloved for its contemporary style and sparkle, the princess cut is the most popular fancy shape diamond. Square on the top, it features four bevelled sides and comes in at a point (like an upside-down pyramid) beneath the shiny surface of the ring.

Emerald Cut Diamond Rings

Emerald cut diamonds are elegant and refined. The elongated shape and octagonal step-cut faceting are great for understated glamour and its flat top highlights the stone’s colour and clarity. An emerald cut ring is perfect for those with wider fingers as the thicker stone gives the illusion of slenderness. If you’re looking for an Art Deco-inspired style with an edge, an emerald cut diamond ring is for you.

The Oval Diamond Ring

The oval shape combines the elegance and sparkle of the round brilliant with the uniqueness of the marquise diamond. Its shimmering facets make the light dance and create the illusion of longer fingers. Bold and sophisticated, the oval is a unique shape for the wearer who wants to express their individuality. Oval diamond engagement rings are popular for their nod to the traditional round diamond design, whilst still showcasing the wearers own style and taste and, similarly to the marquis diamond, they help to create the illusion of longer, more slender fingers.

The Pear Shaped Diamond

Shaped like a tear (of joy) with an extraordinary display of light, the flattering pear shape elongates the finger — especially when worn with the point facing the nail. Its facets match those of the brilliant round cut and give of magnificent sparkle. It’s one of the least common engagement ring shapes, so, if you want to show your individuality, a pear-shaped diamond ring is perfect for you.

The Marquise engagement Ring

The marquise diamond shape was first commissioned at the request of King Louis the Fifteenth of France who wanted a cut shape that resembled the lips of his mistress, Jean Antoinette Poisson. Its oval shape meets in pointed ends, resembling the hull of a ship. In addition to being unique, a marquise diamond ring is great for someone looking to create the illusion of elongated fingers.

The Cushion Cut Diamond

Combining the two most popular diamond shapes – the round brilliant and the princess cut – a cushion cut diamond ring features curved corners and brilliant facets for a soft look with a lot of sparkle. The rounded edges put a unique spin on the classic round brilliant offering the perfect balance between traditional and contemporary style.

Heart Shaped Diamond

Heart-shaped diamonds are classic symbols of love and are cut with a precise length-to-width ratio to ensure expertly symmetrical curves. Sentimental and as rare as true connection, a heart shaped diamond ring is an excellent choice for the romantic who wears their heart on their sleeve (and finger). Worn with the point facing the fingernail, a heart shaped diamond elongates the finger however, tradition states that heart shaped rings should be worn with the point facing your body to symbolise that your heart is taken – which way would you choose?

We hope this guide to the different ring diamond shapes has helped you on your journey to the perfect proposal. Don’t forget, you can book an appointment in-store or online where one of our dedicated experts will show you the different diamonds featured here, and you can choose the perfect ring for your perfect match.

The Brilliant Cut Diamond

By far the most popular of the diamond ring shapes, particularly when shopping for an engagement ring, the round diamond is a classic beauty that needs no introduction.

Round diamonds are cut to optimise brilliance, with over 58 facets that reflect light and cast tiny rainbows in a breath-taking show of sparkle.

If you’re not sure what your partner would like, a round cut engagement ring is likely your safest bet as it is timeless and elegant with a wow-factor the moment that symbolic little box is opened.

Of all the diamond shapes, round cut diamonds lose the most raw material during the shaping process, which gives them their higher price tag.