Diamond Shapes – Basics
When gifting a diamond, it’s extremely important to knowing the wearer’s preferred diamond shape. The vast majority of diamonds are round but other options exist.
PriceScope Pointer: Top Most diamond grading laboratories, including GIA, issue NO CUT GRADE for shapes other than round.
Before going on: Check out the PriceScope Diamond Buying Guide
Diamond Shape Chart
Basics-1
Diamond Shapes Described
Why are most diamonds round?
- Economics: Most natural rough diamond crystals have deep octahedral or dodecahedral geometry, so it’s most cost-effective for producers to polish them into deep rounds, although some are suitable for cushion or princess cuts.
- Appeal: The round shape is most efficient at returning light to the viewer, even with poor fashioning.
Where do other shapes come from?
Economics: Nature produces a less common, third rough crystal geometry which is shallow and flat, so it’s most cost-effective to polish these into fancy flat shapes. Rough crystals which cleaved or broke over their billions-year journey (or in the process of mining) or have interfering internal characteristics may be more cost-effective as fancy shapes.
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Cutting Styles
The shape and arrangement of a diamond’s individual facets is known as its cutting style.
Brilliant Cuts have many outlines. They consist of triangular and kite-shaped facets arranged in vertical rows, spreading outward from the diamond’s center. The brilliant cutting style was designed to create sparkle. Examples include Rounds, Cushions, Ovals, Pears, Marquise and Heart.
Step Cuts have square or rectangular outlines. They consist of long, flat, rectangular facets which ascend the crown and descend the pavilion in parallel rows. The step cutting style was designed to create a wide, clean, look which showcases the diamond’s natural color and clarity. Examples are Emerald Cuts, Square Emerald Cuts, Asschers and Baguettes.
Mixed Cuts combine the dimensions of step cuts with the optical effects of brilliants. Typically, the crown is brilliant cut, and the pavilion is step-cut. The most popular mixed cut is the Princess. Other famous mixed cuts include the Radiant and the Barion.
Rose Cuts were fashioned hundreds of years ago. They are seldom seen today unless found in antique jewelry. The classic rose cut is circular in outline, with kite-shaped facets, but has a flat base (entirely lacking a pavilion). Non-circular variations include the briolette (oval), Antwerp rose (hexagonal), and double Dutch rose (resembling two rose cuts connected back to back).
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Length to Width Ratio (L:W)
This ratio numerically illustrates how long and wide the stone appears from the face-up view. Expressed as “L:W”, it’s determined by dividing the length of the diamond by its width. For example, if a diamond had a length of 6.00 mm and a width of 4.00 mm, the length to width ratio would be 1:5.
Intermediate Diamond Shapes
PriceScope Advice
Choosing a diamond shape involves personal decisions. Beyond any shape’s basic geometry there are proportional choices involving length, width and overall aesthetic. What pleases one person most may not be optimal for the next person and the next. The advice below, while popular, must be considered for what it is: guidelines many people follow, reflecting broad consensus. Your individual taste and perception may differ, and that’s just fine.
Round Brilliant
The round cut diamond continues to be the most popular shape for diamond jewelry and engagement rings. Universally flattering, with unrivalled sparkle, a beautifully cut round brilliant diamond displays the most possible brightness, fire, contrast and sparkle.
Length to Width Ratio: Rounds should be round, so we recommend a ratio of 1.00 – 1.03
PriceScope Advice:
Since most of the world’s diamonds have been cut as round brilliants we have compiled abundant information about this shape. The most important appears on our diamond cut page, which we highly recommend for any diamond shopper.
There are also several distinctly different subsets of Round Brilliant diamonds, each with their own specific visual properties. See three common round brilliant subsets here.
Princess Cut
Princess cut diamonds use the brilliant cutting style on its pavilion to achieve the best scintillation of any square shape.
Length to Width Ratio: For a nicely square princess cut a ratio of 1.0 – 1.05 is optimal.
PriceScope Advice:
Most laboratories issue NO CUT GRADE for shapes other than round, but AGS offers full cut and performance grading for princess cuts.
A princess cut looks great in a variety of settings, but to ensure longevity, the corners of the diamond should be protected with prongs or a bezel setting.
Depending on how many chevrons a princess cut has on its pavilion, it can have between 24 and 40 facets. The more facets, the smaller the scintillation events generally appear. See our princess cut diamonds page to learn more.
Cushion Cut
The outline of a cushion cut diamond resembles a pillow or cushion; a square shape with soft, rounded corners. Unlike other standardized shapes, there are many variations of cushion cuts with different visual character.
Length to Width Ratio: If you’re seeking a square cushion, we recommend a ratio between 1.0 – 1.09. If you prefer a subtle rectangle, that can move up to 1.15-1.25.
PriceScope Advice:
The 70-70 rule of cushion cuts advises staying with cushions which have a table % under 70% as well as a total depth % under 70%. This helps to ensure you’re not paying for a diamond with extra weight in the belly, and ensures a small enough table to foster dispersion.
Personal preference comes into play when considering this shape, because of the variety of appearances available. We recommend they be assessed on a case by case basis. While we give some broad outlines here, experts within the PriceScope community agree that there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to cushion cut diamonds.
Emerald Cut
Hearkening back to a cutting style for gemstones of the same name, the emerald cut diamond features a large table, and long straight lines giving a clean, elegant appearance.
Length to Width Ratio: For the classic emerald cut aesthetic we recommend 1.50 – 1.75
PriceScope Advice:
The step cutting style and large table on the emerald leave few places for inclusions to hide. Color saturation is also more noticeable in this shape so those seeking clean, colorless appearing diamonds will want to gravitate towards H-VS2 and higher.
Fortunately, emerald cuts are great at maximizing carat weight, giving a bigger face-up size than brilliants of equivalent carat weight.
Asscher Cut
Nicknamed the emerald cut’s sparkling sister, the Asscher cut diamond was developed by the Asscher Brothers in Holland in 1902. Modern Asscher cuts use an emerald cut basis but use cut-corners to create an octagonal outline along with a smaller table and layered facets designed to create a hypnotic pattern.
Length to Width Ratio: For the square Asscher shape, 1.0 – 1.05 is optimal
PriceScope Advice:
The Asscher cut masks clarity better than the emerald cut but does not conceal color efficiently so for those seeking colorless appearance we still encourage H color and higher.
The primary appear of the Asscher is aesthetic. It does not appear as large for the weight as an emerald cut but offers more fire and sparkle than similar emerald cuts due to the smaller table and higher crown.
Oval Cut
The oval cut diamond has brilliant facets, providing sparkle and brightness in an elongated shape that sets it apart from a round brilliant.
Length to Width Ratio: A ratio of 1.30 to 1.50 works beautifully for an oval shape, but this is subject to personal taste.
PriceScope Advice
The oval cut sometimes display a bow-tie effect. Viewing a diamond spin-video or images under a variety of lights will help you to identify this. A large bow tie is essentially a permanent shadow across the diamond. Proper cutting can minimize the bow-tie effect.
Ovals cost less than equivalent round brilliants while remaining bright and lively.
Pear Shape
The pear shaped diamond is a timeless cut with the brilliant style of faceting and a unique shape aesthetic. Though traditionally worn with the tip pointing at the wearer’s heart, the pear cut may be set and worn in a variety of ways.
Length to Width Ratio: It’s all about personal preference, but the traditional ratio runs from 1.45 – 1.75.
PriceScope Advice
The beauty of a pear cut hinges on symmetry. This symmetry ensures an even sparkle across the diamond. You can review a variety of ratios to establish your preference. While the symmetry is essential a slim, long pear cut can be just as beautiful as a shorter, wider shape.
Like the oval, pear cuts sometimes display the bow-tie effect. Viewing a diamond spin-video or images under a variety of lights will help you to identify this. A large bow tie is essentially a permanent shadow across the diamond. Proper cutting can minimize the bow-tie effect.
Marquise Cut
Sometimes referred to as a navette cut, the marquise cut diamond was originally fashioned for King Louis XIV. It reached incredible popularity in the late 1900s and can frequently be found second-hand, in jewelry stores and estate sales.
The graceful shape can be worn vertically on the finger, seeming to elongate the hand, or angled for a more contemporary look.
Length to Width Ratio: We recommend a ratio of 1.85 to 2.1
PriceScope Advice:
Like the oval and pear, marquise cuts sometimes display the bow-tie effect. Viewing a diamond spin-video or images under a variety of lights will help you to identify this. A large bow tie is essentially a permanent shadow across the diamond. Proper cutting can minimize the bow-tie effect.
Also, like the pear-shape, the marquise depends on symmetry to ensure even sparkle across the diamond.
When being set, a pair of prongs should support the pointed ends to prevent chipping. Thanks to its elongated shape the marquise can appear larger than other diamonds of the same carat weight.
Radiant Cut
The radiant cut diamond is a mixed cut which was developed by Henry Grossbard family in 1977. It offers dazzling fire and brilliance and the cut corners create a shape aesthetic that pairs well with either round or square shapes.
Length to Width Ratio: For square radiants we recommend a ratio of 1.0 – 1.05. For rectangular shapes you can consider ratios up to 2.0
PriceScope Advice:
The facet patterning of a radiant cut is adept at concealing inclusions allowing you to maximize your money by buying a lower clarity grade if you wish. The cut corners of radiant cuts make them a great choice for wearers with an active lifestyle.
Heart Shape
A complex cut, the beauty of a heart shaped diamond is more in its balance and proportions than optical qualities such as brightness or fire.
Length to Width Ratio: A ratio between 1.0 and 1.1 is most desirable for the heart shape. Going above 1.1 will make the heart appear stretched.
PriceScope Advice:
A well-cut Heart Shaped Diamond should be symmetrical, so it appears balanced and full. A defined cleft and distinct, pointed lobe will give a cleaner silhouette.
The heart shape is most appealing and effective in higher carat weights.
Trillion Cut
The trillion cut diamond, also known as the triangular brilliant, trillions and trilliant, is a bright and lively cut. These diamonds work well as side stones to accentuate a variety of diamond shapes but can also look spectacular as a solitaire.
Length to Width Ratio: As with its cousin, the heart shape, a ratio between 1.0 and 1.1 is most desirable.
PriceScope Advice:
A trillion shaped diamond is often cut shallow. The perfect proportions will yield a good face-up size but a trillion that has been cut too shallow will lack brilliance.
The corners should be protected by the setting to avoid chipping.
Baguette
The baguette diamond is a cousin to the emerald cut with fewer facets. In fact, the traditional 14 facet baguette diamond is one of the most clean and simplest shapes. Like any rings featuring step cuts, baguette diamond rings will have different visual character than rings featuring brilliant cuts. The baguette diamond is a popular choices for accenting a featured stone, typically set horizontally, one baguette diamond per side.
Length to Width Ratio: Baguette diamonds are typically long and thin. The common ratio is around 5.1. .
PriceScope Advice:
The step cutting style and large table on baguette diamonds leave few places for inclusions to hide. Color saturation is also more noticeable in a baguette diamond ring so those seeking clean, colorless appearing diamonds will want H color or higher.
Fortunately, well cut baguette diamonds are great at maximizing carat weight.
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Diamond Shape Q&A
Which diamond shape looks the biggest?
This is sometimes referred to as ‘face-up’ size – diamonds with a bigger face-up value will have a larger surface area relative to their carat weight.
- Pear
- Oval
- Marquise
- Emerald
- Trillion
Which diamond shapes are the most affordable?
The most affordable diamond shapes are those which retain a higher percentage of the rough during the cutting and polishing process Radiant
- Cushion
- Princess
- Asscher
- Emerald
Which diamond shape gives the best sparkle?
Sparkle is created by facets reflecting light effectively. A good quality cut will increase sparkle, but by nature, some diamond shapes sparkle more than others.
- Round Brilliant
- Radiant
- Cushion
- Marquise
Which diamond shape is the most vulnerable?
Certain diamond shapes have vulnerabilities which can affect durability if they are not set correctly. Any shape with exposed points and corners is more vulnerable to chipping. This is easily handled by choosing a suitable setting.
- Pear
- Marquise
- Baguette
- Princess
- Heart
Get fast answers to any question: Ask our community of unbiased independent helpers.
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