Diamond Shapes - Most Popular Diamond Cuts | The 4C's of Diamonds (2024)

When you think of diamonds, you might picture the classic round diamond shape, which is by far the most popular. But if you’re looking for something different, there are plenty of other shapes available to match your distinct style and taste. Since each diamond shape is cut to different specifications, they reflect light differently, giving each shape its own fire and brilliance.

Popular Diamond Shapes

Choosing the right diamond can be difficult for many people. We hope this information provides you with a basic understanding so you can confidently move through the process going forward. At Wixon, we strive to offer our clients the highest quality diamonds and carry the largest selection of loose diamonds in Minnesota. Our collection of diamond jewelry features many different shape options, ranging from traditional to fancy. Below you will find a comprehensive list of the most popular diamond shapes and their characteristics.

Diamond Shapes - Most Popular Diamond Cuts | The 4C's of Diamonds (1)

Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds

The round brilliant cut is the most popular shape of diamond. For hundreds of years, diamond cutters have been working with this cut to maximize its brilliance and fire. While this cut offers great flexibility within the four Cs, you will want to select higher quality grades to bring out the most brilliance within a round diamond.

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Diamond Shapes - Most Popular Diamond Cuts | The 4C's of Diamonds (2)

Princess-Cut Diamonds

Princess-cut diamonds are available in both square and rectangular shapes and are exceptionally brilliant because of the way they are cut. The color emitted from princess-cut diamonds is very unique. While the color of other diamonds is displayed mainly in the center, the princess-cut diamonds show distinct color in each of the corners, as well.

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Diamond Shapes - Most Popular Diamond Cuts | The 4C's of Diamonds (3)

Marquise-Cut Diamonds

Marquise-cut diamonds are the perfect shape for maximizing carat weight by emphasizing the size of the diamond. Its unique shape makes the hands and fingers of its wearer appear longer and more slender. The outline of a diamond is determined by its length to width ratio, which also provides an idea of the shape and look of the diamond.

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Diamond Shapes - Most Popular Diamond Cuts | The 4C's of Diamonds (4)

Cushion-Cut Diamonds

Sometimes called a pillow-cut diamond, the cushion-cut is a timeless cut that earned its name for its pillow-like shape. Cushion-cut diamonds tend to have impeccable brilliance and clarity in their appearance thanks to their rounded corners and larger facets. These diamonds are available in square and rectangular shapes.

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Diamond Shapes - Most Popular Diamond Cuts | The 4C's of Diamonds (5)

Emerald-Cut Diamonds

Emerald-cut diamonds have a unique optical appearance because of the rectangular facets step-cut into the diamond’s pavilion. This cut showcases the diamond’s original clarity beautifully because of its large rectangular table which also makes inclusions and color more apparent.

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Diamond Shapes - Most Popular Diamond Cuts | The 4C's of Diamonds (6)

Radiant-Cut Diamonds

Radiant-cut diamonds feature uniquely trimmed corners that combine the lines of an emerald-cut with the brilliance of a round diamond. The sparkle of this diamond cut looks beautiful when combined with a variety of other diamond cuts.

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Diamond Shapes - Most Popular Diamond Cuts | The 4C's of Diamonds (7)

Pear-Shaped Diamonds

Combining round and marquise cuts, the teardrop style of pear shaped diamonds is exceptional. The slender pear shape gives fingers and hands a slimmer appearance while creating a soft and delicate look. Pear shaped diamonds are cut to produce maximum brilliance, so it’s important to look for excellent symmetry.

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Diamond Shapes - Most Popular Diamond Cuts | The 4C's of Diamonds (8)

Oval Diamonds

Oval diamonds have a classic appearance with a modern twist. It is a popular cut in all types of jewelry, especially in engagement rings, making it easy to match with other jewelry. It has an incredible brilliance, similar to the round brilliant cut, but also has the advantage of accentuating long, slender finders.

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Diamond Shapes - Most Popular Diamond Cuts | The 4C's of Diamonds (9)

Asscher-Cut Diamonds

Asscher-cut diamonds are often mistaken for an emerald-cut due to their similar cut style. However, an asscher is square as opposed to rectangular. Created in the early 1920s, the Asscher-cut has recently resurged in popularity, especially amongst celebrities.

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Diamond Shapes - Most Popular Diamond Cuts | The 4C's of Diamonds (2024)

FAQs

Which diamond 4c is most important? ›

A good cut will result in a better sparkle. That's why cut is the most important of the 4Cs—if a diamond is poorly cut, no clarity grating, color grading, or carat weight will make up for it. The diamond will look dull and glassy.

What is the 4c rank of diamonds? ›

Out of the 4 C's of diamonds, the cut of the diamond is the most important. This is followed by color, clarity, and carat weight.

What are the 4Cs cut diamonds? ›

You've probably heard about the 4Cs of a diamond, and you may even know that it stands for diamond cut, color, clarity and carat weight.

What diamond shapes are most popular? ›

1. ROUND BRILLIANT DIAMOND. By far the most popular cut is the Round Brilliant, with it's fifty-seven perfectly aligned facets it's brilliance really does out-shine the others.

What is the 4c diamond rule? ›

Shipley, the founder of GIA, coined the term 4Cs to help his students remember the four factors that characterize a faceted diamond: color, clarity, cut and carat weight. The concept was simple, but revolutionary.

Which of the four C's is least important? ›

Clarity is believed to be the least important of the four Cs. This is because many imperfections are difficult to see with the naked eye.

What diamond shape sparkles the most? ›

The round cut is the most brilliant or the most sparkling diamond cut. Fifty-eight facets (including the culet) are cut into brilliant round diamonds to allow light to pass through and reflect off each facet.

Is cut clarity or color most important? ›

Cut is the most important determinant of the overall appearance of a diamond. No Clarity grade can help a poorly cut diamond; however, an excellent cut diamond can have a lower color (G-H) or clarity (SI1-SI2) and still look quite beautiful due to its superior ability to create sparkle and brilliance.

What cut is Kim Kardashian diamond? ›

Schwartz described the stone as the "perfect cushion cut diamond". The diamond has Flawless clarity and D color! It also is a type IIa diamond - the most valued and purest type of diamonds.

What is a poor cut diamond? ›

Put simply, cut is responsible for the quality of a diamond's sparkle. If a diamond is cut poorly, it will appear dull even if it has a high colour and clarity grade. If a diamond is cut well, it will reflect and refract light for maximum brightness and sparkle.

What is the hardest diamond shape to cut? ›

Heart cut diamonds, and Marquise cut diamonds, are considered the most difficult diamond cut. “Marquise and Heart are particularly tricky cuts because symmetry is so important for each,” explains Taylor.

Which diamond cut is classy? ›

The marquise cut is the ultimate in elegance. Its oval shape meets in pointed ends, resembling the hull of a ship—this cut is also known as the Navette cut (meaning “little boat” in French). In addition to being unique, this cut is also great for someone looking to create the illusion of elongated hands.

What is the least popular diamond cut? ›

The three least known diamond shapes
  • Ashley Bean. Pear.
  • Emerald.
  • Gray Box Studios. Emerald Halo Ring.
Mar 10, 2021

What cut makes a diamond look the biggest? ›

Best Diamond Shapes for a Big Look

The ones that carry mass at the top are marquise, pear, and oval cut diamonds. These diamond cuts are known as elongated shapes, and these elongated shapes actively contribute to the illusion of size.

How to prioritize the 4Cs? ›

If you are still not sure about how to get started on shopping for your ring, you should determine how much you want to spend first. With the budget in mind, my advice is to narrow down your diamond options by prioritizing the 4Cs in the following order: cut, carat, color and clarity.

Is clarity or cut more important? ›

Cut is the most important determinant of the overall appearance of a diamond. No Clarity grade can help a poorly cut diamond; however, an excellent cut diamond can have a lower color (G-H) or clarity (SI1-SI2) and still look quite beautiful due to its superior ability to create sparkle and brilliance.

Does 4 prongs make a diamond look bigger? ›

Four prongs can give a diamond a more “squarish” look, making it a good choice for princess cut, cushion cut, and other diamonds that are square or rectangles. Smaller diamonds (less than a half carat) can be dwarfed by prongs, so four prongs might be a good design choice.

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