Diamond shapes explained – tips before buying

Diamond shape

Dreaming of a diamond engagement ring? Or do you desire diamond earrings? Want to, but do not know what shape to choose? Because of the variety you have an embarrassment of riches and it seems that you do not understand anything? Slow down, take a deep breath and exhale. We are already here and we are on hand. 

We know how difficult it can be to make sense of an ocean of new and confusing information. There every new word or term is like an endless wave crashing down on you and preventing you from taking a breath because of the excessive flow of letters and words.  

Do not be afraid or stumble. We know that diamonds are the most intriguing yet complicated thing to shop for. In this post, we will tell you what diamond shapes there are, what is the best thing to focus on when choosing, let’s say, a diamond engagement ring or necklaces and how to understand what shape will suit you. 

The most popular diamond shapes

Round

What do we have here first among the most popular diamond shapes? Timeless classics, of course. A universal diamond shape is round brilliant, which is suitable for any occasion.

This one is the only one that is not classified as a fancy shape. Such diamonds look great with an elegant evening dress and a diamond engagement ring in rose or white gold, or in a more relaxed casual outfit. Please note that a round brilliant is not only the most famous, but also one of the most expensive. Since the diamond cutter loses quite a lot of material during cutting its step facets, this shape is pricey. Round brilliant diamonds always come in step cuts. But is it worth it, you may ask? Of course, yes. You are buying an almost immortal ideal and the gold standard in the world of diamonds, which will never go out of fashion. 

Oval 

The next shape we’ll look at is an oval. It is an updated and modernized version of round diamonds. The oval differs in its oblong shape from the previous variant. It is a refined and extremely elegant diamond shape that always looks great on the hand as a charming and unique diamond engagement ring. Exactly because of its shape, the oval diamond allows you to visually lengthen your hand, making it look slimmer and more graceful. Any look can be ennobled and enhanced with these diamonds. 

Princess

Charming as the name itself, this shape will be your trump card in any weather, event and mood. This shape is a favorite of many because it always allows the diamond to reach its full potential. The diamond shimmers and sparkles marvelously when cut into a princess cut. This shape resembles a square shape. The only difference is that the corners of the princess are pointed, which makes it look a little softer and more refined. Such diamonds are insanely popular because of their versatility, they are like chameleons that adjust to your needs every day. Just imagine how beautiful it may sound: diamond engagement ring in princess shape for a real-life princess!

Emerald

Another form with an intriguing name. Note the pun, emeralds come in emerald shapes too! If you’re a connoisseur of art deco style, and Jacques-Émile Ruhlmann and Tamara de Lempicka names for you are not just a set of letters, but a whole interesting story, then you should definitely pay attention to an emerald cut diamond.

An emerald cut diamond holds many miracles in itself. For instance,  it reproduces a stunning hall-of-mirrors effect. An emerald cut diamond is different because of its unique shape. Unlike a round diamond, it comes in step cuts and has large facets. These facets that form a square shape make the diamond look elegant and extremely graceful. Emerald cuts are famous for their clarity and sophistication. If you appreciate vintage beauty, an emerald cut is an excellent choice. And if you want something even more unique, then take into account square emerald cut. This treasure is for true aficionados only. 

Cushion

Continuing our string of lovely names, and next in line we have the shape, which resembles a pillow, just as soft, neat and delicate. If suddenly you think that the round shape of the diamond is too ordinary for you and you want something more intriguing, be sure to pay attention to the cushion cut diamond. This shape is one of the most popular diamond shapes. Such an amazing diamond shape manages to combine both the slight vintage flair of the old mine cut and the modern echo of the oval shape. This shape would look extremely interesting and frilly as cufflinks or necklaces. 

Pear

It seems like we’re getting to the tasty names. However, the other name for pear shaped is teardrop that boasts 58 shimmering facets that capture light in mesmerizing ways. The beauty lies in its versatility; whether nestled in an intricate vintage setting or a sleek, modern band, its facets that gleam with every movement, promising a timeless elegance.

In fact, it is very difficult to find a well and properly cut pear shape. However, if you manage to do so, this shape of diamonds will always look extravagant and spectacular, say, in pendants. If your credo is to always stand out from the crowd and make a statement, a pear will help you do just that. This shape, like the oval, will elongate your fingers and add personality and charm to your look. 

Heart

Have you heard the saying: buy her a heart-shaped diamond and she’s yours forever? No? We just made it up, but it’s basically true. The cutest, sweetest, and most intimate shape will leave no woman indifferent. This diamond shape just flutters with love and adoration and its rounded corners add a flair of tenderness and warm embrace. Heart shaped diamond engagement rings are particularly eye-catching, no woman will be able to resist 

No wonder these diamonds have been popular since the 15th century – it is easier and clearer to confess your sincere feelings when they are literally presented in the shape of a diamond. 

Marquise

A man would do anything for the lady he loves. Even create a new shape – marquise diamonds. This is what happened in the 19th century, when for the sake of his beloved Marquise de Pompadour, King Louis XV ordered the creation of a diamond. Its main feature was that the diamond should resemble the shape of the Marquise’s lips. That’s how these astonishing marquise diamonds came to be. Now such diamonds look extremely spectacular on the hand, because they visually lengthen it, and also stand out from the main mass of shapes with pointed corners. A little tip, take a closer look at the marquise diamond bracelets since they are simply fabulous. 

Diamond shape vs Diamond cut

There is an important detail that is often confused. We hope we’re not going to shock anyone right now, but the shape and the cut are different things! Surprise! Yes, jokes aside, they are two different things and it’s important to distinguish them so that you don’t make either a hasty purchase or a rash one. So, let’s break down in detail what is what and how to define them. 

The shape of a stone means its figure, i.e. how it looks outwardly, what it may look like. For example, we have already talked to you about pear shaped- such diamonds do remotely resemble the fruit, they have a rounded bottom and pointed corners, they look like something. Hence, this is their external characteristic. And so when it comes to the outer shell, the shape, that’s the form. Another example is the heart – here it seems to be clear, heart-shaped diamonds are like the hearts that lovers draw when they are daydreaming about their beloved one. This is also a shape. 

What then is a cut? If you haven’t checked out our learning center yet, it’s worth doing so, we have an entire article where we go into detail about the cut of a diamond. In a nutshell, a diamond’s cut is about how a craftsman cuts and polishes a diamond to achieve the desired sparkle and glow, as well as to bring the diamond closer to maximum symmetry. Cut affects how a diamond reflects light and transmits light. If a diamond is properly and well cut and carefully polished, it looks very lively, actively shimmers and pleases our eyes with its radiance and beauty. If the situation is the opposite and the craftsman did not cut the diamond well enough, the stone will look inanimate, dull and uninteresting. When choosing a diamond, you should pay attention not only to its shape. Of course, this is an important aspect and we advise you to first decide on the desired shape of the diamond so that you can then choose the cut. There are several cuts, the most popular one, for example, is step cuts. 

Value of shaped diamonds

The shape of a diamond affects more aspects than just its appearance. Its price and value in the shop also depends a lot on its shape. Let’s understand together what things and how it influences them. 

Among fancy shaped diamonds, cushion is considered to be the most popular shape and  sought after. In this case, this shape in the fancy shape diamonds market will also be the most expensive precisely because of its popularity. The situation in the diamond market corresponds to normal market relations – the demand for some shape increases, and thus the price rises. 

The purity and filigree of the craftsman’s work also affects the price of a diamond. If a diamond is asymmetrical or has any defects, however minor, visible to the eye, this greatly reduces its value. We also advise you to pay attention to the length to width ratio when choosing diamonds. This is a certain ideal measure that allows you to determine how accurately and skillfully the cut of a diamond is made. For example, the desired length to width ratio in a heart is 0.90-1.10. If this is the shape you choose, focus on this length to width range and try to find a stone that will fit it. 

In fact, it is difficult to predict which shape will be popular and which will fall into oblivion. The market is extremely unpredictable and it is difficult to predict what will come into fashion and what will go out of it. However, if you are very worried about this – stop at a round brilliant diamond in step cuts – it is a tried and tested option that will never become outdated or irrelevant. Yes, the price of such diamonds is also high, we have already explained this, because this is the most popular shape of diamonds. However, this shape is both the most durable and the most resilient among the others. 

And lastly, a little more basic information for you on this site, so that you are definitely prepared for everything when you decide to buy your diamond. Its price is not only based on its shape and khat. Yes, there are more aspects to look out for when buying one. For example, don’t forget about carat. The carat is the weight of the diamond, usually the bigger it is, the higher the price, but this is not always the case. Sometimes a stone with smaller carat weight but an unusual rare color or the highest clarity can cost many times more than a heavier gemstone. Yeah, another characteristic also makes them costly.  

What is the perfect diamond shape?

Unfortunately, or fortunately we cannot give you an exact answer to this question. The ideal form will be the one that suits you and resonates exactly with your personality and persona. 

We can only list a few options that are now the most common.

Your first action should be to determine for yourself what kind of diamond you want – popular shape or not? If the answer to this question is yes, then choose the timeless classic, that is, a round brilliant diamond. Round brilliant stones in step cuts universal for everything. Any necklaces, bracelets and earrings will look lovely with these diamonds.

If the answer to this question is yes, but you want something a little more special, then you should definitely get a princess. Again ideal for bracelets, necklaces, and earrings. 

If the answer is negative – consider a marquise diamond or pear. Please don’t think that these shapes are inferior or look less winning. Absolutely not. They are wonderful options, they look great, consider their not so rabid popularity as an advantage, not a disadvantage. With these diamonds, you will definitely be able to attract attention and draw the eyes of the majority, because such shapes are not always seen in everyday life. 

You can also ask yourself – do you want your fingers to look a little more elongated? If so, then consider the marquise, oval and pear shapes first for diamond engagement rings, for example. These shapes will allow you to elongate your fingers a bit and make them visually thinner, sleeker and longer. 

Next, think about whether you want to make a gift or are buying a diamond for yourself? If the former, then consider a heart, it is a win-win shape that will win any heart. 

Finally, just think about what shape will be universal for you and fit your closet. Take into account the fact that such an expensive purchase will surely serve you for a very long time, because diamonds are extremely durable stones. With the shape you have chosen, with proper care you will be able to walk for a very long time, and possibly pass the diamond as a family heirloom to your descendants. Such a purchase should be considered and well weighed. However, you should not put too much pressure on yourself and worry too much. As we advised at first, take a deep breath and exhale. The answer itself will come to you, and intuition will tell you what form responds to your soul and personality most of all. 

It may sound cliché, but the choice is really up to you. Diamonds are beautiful in any shape, and in our shop there are a huge number of different colors and shades from yellow to green and brown color ranges. However, it is up to you to decide which diamond will adorn your jewelry whether it is a wedding band or a pair of pendants. The choice is yours, we can only guide you and advise you on what to avoid and what to look out for in the shop. We are sure that you will be able to make the perfect decision for you and you will not be disappointed.