For many people, purchasing a diamond is more than an investment—it's a request to spend the rest of your life with someone you love. Choosing a diamond engagement ring for your proposal is a big step, both emotionally and financially, and selecting a shape that suits her personal style is a must. Whether you're shopping alongside your future bride or keeping it a surprise, don't underestimate the importance of a diamond's cut and shape.
How Diamond Shapes Factor Into Your Jewelry Decision
When you browse engagement rings, there are countless questions to ask and decisions to be made. Before you narrow down a list of the different diamond ring shapes that suit your bride-to-be, make sure you understand the basic qualifications used to evaluate a diamond. These factors, known best as the 4Cs, are:
- Color: a measure of the stone's absence of color, ranging from completely colorless (D) to pale yellow or brown (Z)
- Clarity: judged on the size, number, and location of internal and external imperfections when seen under 10X magnification, ranging on a scale from flawless to included
- Carat: a way to refer to a diamond's weight, with one metric carat equaling 0.2 grams
- Cut: determines how the stone will perform on a five-grade system of excellent, very good, good, fair, and poor
How Are Diamond Cut and Shape Different?
While you shop, you may hear the terms "shape" and "cut" used interchangeably, and, though they are related, it's important to understand that they refer to different things. Diamond shape describes the overall silhouette and style of a stone when viewed from above; diamond cut refers to the quality of the proportions and symmetry of each facet. The cut is what directly influences how much light is able to bounce around within the stone to produce a diamond's signature sparkle.
What to Consider When Choosing a Diamond Ring Shape
When it comes to finding the right ring to start your forever with, there are plenty of design details to take into consideration. Selecting the right metal is one thing—choosing a diamond ring shape is another. Make sure to discuss these factors with your jeweler (and your significant other or a trusted source of intel) to find the perfect piece:
Contemporary vs. Classic Styles
Fully understanding your sweetheart's everyday style will help steer you in the right direction when choosing a diamond ring shape. Traditional brides tend to be drawn to the timeless round brilliant shape, while more modern brides find themselves choosing oval or pear-shaped stones. Consider the styles in their existing jewelry collection and find a diamond ring shape that fits right in.
Pro tip: If you aren't sure of your hopeful-fiancé's tastes, find an excuse to take them to your local jewelry store. Step back, see what styles they gravitate towards, and take note!
Durability Depending on Lifestyle
It doesn't matter if diamonds are the toughest stone on Earth—durability is always an important factor to consider when buying any form of diamond jewelry. If your bride lives a particularly active lifestyle, you'll want to pick the most durable diamond ring shape possible.
For active people, avoid any shapes with sharper corners, as they can snag clothing and chip easily if not taken proper care of. If your partner is a bit more hands-off, you can take your pick!
Desired Ring Setting
Setting styles serve a functional and fashionable purpose. Designed to secure the center stone of your ring into place and prevent it from falling off your finger in the future, different settings work best with different diamond cuts and shapes. If you have your heart set on a specific diamond ring shape, make sure to ask your jeweler if it's compatible with your favorite ring setting, such as a:
- Halo
- Pavé
- Three-stone
- Bezel
- Prong
- Tension
- Basket
- Bar
Hand Size and Finger Shape
No two brides are alike—and neither are their hands! To figure out which ring will flatter your bride best, you'll need to determine her hand shape. More elongated diamond ring shapes, like an oval or marquise, help create the illusion of long and slender fingers. If they have petite hands or stout fingers, we recommend focusing on more symmetrical diamond ring shapes, such as round or cushion.
Cost and Affordability
Depending on the brand and overall design, different diamond cuts and shapes can vary in price. You've heard the old saying that a diamond engagement ring should cost you three months of your salary, but the truth is, the ideal budget is whatever you can afford. Consult your finances to come up with a reasonable number and shop the diamond cuts and shapes that fall within that range.
Discover the 7 Most Popular Diamond Shapes for Engagement Rings
If you're in the market for a diamond engagement ring, shape is key. Drop subtle questions to your partner to determine which of the diamond cut shapes they'd prefer, ask a friend or family member who may know their taste, or trust you know your special someone and put your knowledge of them to the test. As you shop, make sure to consider these seven common and timeless diamond ring shapes:
1. The Versatile Round Diamond Ring Shape
Round diamonds have always been a favorite—and it's easy to see why! As one of the most quintessential diamond cut shapes on the market, round diamonds are highly desired for almost every kind of jewelry. Couples searching for engagement rings often find themselves drawn in by the timeless elegance and stunning brilliance of this age-old cut and start their shopping trip by looking at some variation of a round diamond ring shape.
With a round diamond shape, a ring can be as simple or ornate as the recipient wants. Round diamonds are some of the easiest shapes to embellish, as seen by the incredibly popular halo designs in the engagement ring market. One benefit of a halo set round diamond shape ring is that the stone appears bigger with all the smaller diamonds surrounding it, saving on cost and increasing brilliance at the same time.
Round solitaire diamonds make for classic rings that never go out of style. A round solitaire-shaped diamond ring can stand independently or be embellished with an extravagant wedding band. However they're set, round diamonds continue to offer versatility and sophistication—and always will!
2. The Timeless Oval Diamond Ring Shape
When searching for a diamond ring that is as classic as it is unique, the oval diamond cut shape might be the winner. These elongated diamonds look stunning in a ring with a pavé shank band. The embellished gemstone-studded setting helps emphasize the oval diamonds' sparkle, making quite the statement!
Similar to round diamonds, an oval diamond is incredibly versatile and sits beautifully in many different ring settings. Oval diamond cuts and shapes lend themselves to both simple and exquisite jewelry, making it a natural selection for anyone searching for a one-of-a-kind piece they'll cherish for years to come.
After she's said yes and the big day approaches, consider elevating the sparkle even further with an oval diamond wedding band. A simple line of small, oval-shaped ring stones makes the band appear taller, giving it an extra level of elegance any bride would feel lucky to have.
3. The Luxurious Princess Diamond Ring Shape
Luxury and radiance are just two of the many complementary words to describe princess-cut diamond rings. As one of the most sought-after diamond cuts and shapes on the market, the square princess cut offers a sense of royalty. And we all know your brides deserve to be treated like queens!
Princess-shaped diamond rings—or some iteration of them—have been worn since the 14th century, and their popularity hasn't waned over the years. With a modern, clean look and an intricate faceting style, the princess shape is the perfect choice for those who appreciate the style of a round diamond but are restrained by a lower budget.
The princess was referred to as the French cut for years, but as jewelers refined their technique in the '60s, '70s, and '80s, and new square diamond cut shapes evolved, it was given the princess name to set it apart from similar shapes. No matter what it is called, your princess diamond engagement ring is guaranteed to shine brilliantly for all to see.
4. The Feminine Cushion Diamond Ring Shape
Cushion diamonds describe either a rectangular or square stone with rounded edges and are often referred to as one of the most feminine diamond shape rings. If you take a close look, you may notice that cushion shapes are the best of both worlds, blending together all the great aspects of round and princess diamond cuts and shapes to create a modern masterpiece. With an increased brilliance, attractive price point, and enhanced clarity, it's clear why women adore the look of a cushion diamond.
The cushion diamond cut shape is a traditional style cut with brilliance in mind. Cushion shapes cast a wide reflective pattern within the stone, making it shine bright for all to see. Versatile and timeless, this is the perfect diamond for the woman who loves the look of vintage-inspired jewelry but doesn't want her engagement ring to stick out.
Due to its shape, a cushion cut diamond might be a slightly less expensive choice than a round diamond of the same carat weight and quality. Also, because of their cut, cushion diamonds will tend to retain more color than other shapes, so take this into consideration when purchasing a cushion diamond.
5. The Elegant Pear Diamond Ring Shape
With one point at the top and a rounded bottom, the pear diamond shape, also known as the teardrop, is one of the more unique shapes. A pear diamond cut and shape is a great way to have a ring unlike anyone else's, without being too unconventional.
There are several benefits to a pear diamond shape ring. Since they have the natural ability to elongate the finger, many women find them to be an elegant and flattering fit. Pear diamonds also seem bigger than their carat unit would suggest, making them a budget-friendly way to find a ring that stands out without breaking the bank.
This does not make pear diamonds any less radiant. A pear-shaped diamond engagement ring will stun any bride-to-be, and, take it from us, she will happily show it off for years to come!
6. The Vintage Emerald Diamond Ring Shape
If you're looking for a diamond cut shape that hints at days long since passed, the emerald-shape ring is meant to be. A beautiful option for the traditional bride to be, an emerald-cut diamond offers a timeless style that can look either historically stunning or modernly elegant.
As one can imagine, the emerald-cut diamond was named after the way emerald gems were traditionally refined. Emeralds naturally form in long crystals, making a rectangular cut the obvious choice. Diamond cutters started borrowing the technique, and the popularity of the emerald cut diamond soared with the Art Deco design period in the 1920s.
An emerald-cut engagement ring dazzles viewers with its rectangular shape and stunning sparkle. This timeless design acts as a set of mirrors, with its long sides reflecting light brilliantly.
7. The Rare ASHOKA Diamond Ring Shape
ASHOKA diamonds are one of the rarest diamond cut shapes available. Not just any diamond can be considered an ASHOKA — only a small percentage of diamonds can be fashioned into this exquisite style.
A modified cushion cut, ASHOKA diamonds have 62 facets to increase sparkle and shine. An ASHOKA diamond looks bigger than its carat weight suggests, making it an attractive cut for any diamond lover.
ASHOKA diamonds boast a timeless look while showcasing the incredible craftsmanship of the jewelers who work with them. An ASHOKA diamond engagement ring is guaranteed to turn heads every time you walk into the room. The benefits of buying an ASHOKA shaped diamond ring include:
- Luxurious and sleek appearance
- Unmatched brilliance and sparkle
- Larger visual impact
- Exclusivity and rarity
- Timeless appeal
Other Popular Diamond Ring Shapes
Still not convinced? Go off the beaten path and look for these less popular yet enduringly beautiful diamond ring shapes:
- Asscher: square with cropped corners and stepped facets
- Marquise: boat-like shape with two symmetrical pointed ends
- Radiant: square or rectangular shaped with cropped corners and brilliant faceting
- Baguette: rectangular step cut, more commonly seen as accent stones
- Trillion: triangular with either rounded or pointed corners
- Heart: heart-shaped with a cleft and a point
- Mine: a vintage squarish shape with rounded corners and asymmetrical facets
No matter what diamond cut shape you decide on, you will be glad to present your choice on bended knee. Your engagement ring decision will be even sweeter when she answers your question with a resounding "yes"!
