IT’S ALL ABOUT THE SHAPES
Choosing the perfect engagement ring is one thing; choosing the perfect diamond shape is quite another. Diamonds can be cut and polished into a plethora of shapes, anything from the classic round brilliant to Christmas trees and even horse heads! Emily Dixon, Hatton Garden jeweller and gemmologist at Hearts of London, outlines the top ten diamond cuts to help you in your search for the perfect shape.
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. Total internal reflection is the key here; light travels through the stone giving optimum sparkle and scintillation. You can't go wrong with a round brilliant diamond which will look awesome in any setting; the true classic engagement ring.
Round Brilliant Diamond Round Brilliant Diamond
2. CUSHION CUT DIAMOND
In the past year we have seen a massive rise in the popularity of the cushion cut diamond; it has overtaken the Princess cut in being the second most popular diamond shape. Being a cross between the round brilliant cut and a princess; it is a softer square or rectangular shape, a little like a cushion or pillow - hence the name! Our clients love a cushion cut diamond set into our scallop set halo engagement ring design.
Cushion Cut Diamond Cushion CutDiamond
3. PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND
The Princess cut diamond is next on our list; a real draw for those who are all about the angles. The square shape brings a contemporary feel to your diamond ring and can be set in either the square or compass point orientation; we tend to set ours with what are known as box claws to really show off that 90 degree angle. The Princess cut remains a classic here in Hatton Garden.
Princess Cut Diamond PrincessCutDiamond
4. EMERALD CUT DIAMOND
The Emerald cut is one of the most timeless of all of the diamond cuts. It is elegant and beautiful, particularly because it's recommended to aim for higher colours and clarities; there is no hiding when it comes to an emerald cut. The style of cutting is what we call step cut, it's more of a hall of mirror effect than the total internal reflection that comes from a round. If it's good enough for Beyoncé...
Emerald Cut Diamond EmeraldCutDiamond
5. OVAL SHAPE DIAMOND
Another of the softer shapes is the oval; by being slighter longer than the round but having similar sparkle it is a great choice to elongate the finger. Ovals tend to be cut from shallower diamonds to really make the most of the rough stone ~ there is nothing rough about this gorgeous cut of diamond though!
Oval Cut Diamond OvalCutDiamond
6. MARQUISE CUT DIAMOND
If you are looking for something even longer then the Marquise might just be the one for you. Carat for carat the marquise has the largest surface area of any diamond cut so it always looks incredible, from a 0.30ct to a 0.90ct stone, if you're down on one knee with one of these bad boys, you're sure to get the answer you're looking for.
Marquise Cut Diamond Marquise CutDiamond
7. PEAR SHAPE DIAMOND
In 2016 we saw a rise in the popularity of the pear shape diamond; whether set into a solitaire design or with pave shoulders, it is always a winner. The pear is such an elegant shape and it brings a degree of old-school glamour to your jewellery; with the addition of some millgraining it is modern-day vintage at it's best.
Pear Cut Diamond PearCutDiamond
8. ASSCHER CUT DIAMOND
Next we come to the Asscher cut, which is a square variation on the emerald cut mentioned above. Asschers have incredibly unique and mesmerizing reflections; it is an unusual cut with a smaller table and cropped corners that really stands out when making it's way through our workshop.
Asscher Cut Diamond Asscher CutDiamond
9. RADIANT CUT DIAMOND
The last of the angular shapes is the Radiant, cut between an emerald and a brilliant, you get a great combination of clean lines and brilliance. This is one of the more unusual shapes for us to sell and when we do it is more often than not in a fancy yellow colour as the cut really makes the most of a coloured stone.
Radiant Cut Diamond RadiantCutDiamond
10. HEART SHAPE DIAMOND
Last (but by no means least) is my personal favourite, the heart shape diamond. Certainly not everyone's cup of tea, the heart shape has a small but dedicated fan base. There is no mistaking the meaning behind a heart shape diamond. For me a small halo of diamonds around the outside in a simple halo design is the best way to show off this gorgeous diamond shape.
Heart Shape Diamond Heart ShapeDiamond
FAQs
Round brilliant cut diamonds are easily the most expensive diamond shape. In part, that's because round is the most popular diamond shape. More than half of all the diamonds sold today are round diamonds. This incredible popularity means that diamond miners and retailers can charge more for such an in-demand shape.
What is the most sought after diamond cut? ›
Round brilliant cut diamonds are easily the most expensive diamond shape. In part, that's because round is the most popular diamond shape. More than half of all the diamonds sold today are round diamonds. This incredible popularity means that diamond miners and retailers can charge more for such an in-demand shape.
What is the most popular diamond cut now? ›
1. Round- Still takes the top spot. According to GIA, more than 60% of couples choose a round diamond for their center stone.
Which diamond cut shows the most color? ›
Fancy shapes, shapes other than round, especially step cut stones such as emerald cut and asscher cut, have broader facet arrangements and create a sheen effect like a mirror instead of sparkling. Thus, they tend to show off more color.
What is the most perfect cut diamond? ›
Hearts on Fire is the World's most perfectly cut diamond. Cut with a 100x magnification instead of 10x, these diamonds all have ideal proportions which make them truly sparkle.
Which diamond cut holds its value? ›
Popularity. When considering how much diamonds are worth, something to keep in mind is that round stones are the most popular choice in the market – making them the best diamond cut. They are classic with timeless quality, which means round cut brilliant diamonds also tend to retain and appreciate the most in value.
Which diamond cut is timeless? ›
Always Timeless: Round Brilliant
The round brilliant is the most popular diamond and a great choice for the woman who appreciates classic style. A round brilliant cut diamond maximizes the amount of reflected light, giving it incredible sparkle, especially when compared with other cuts.
What is the least popular diamond cut? ›
The three least known diamond shapes
- Ashley Bean. Pear.
- Emerald.
- Gray Box Studios. Emerald Halo Ring.
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 the prettiest diamond? ›
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. Total internal reflection is the key here; light travels through the stone giving optimum sparkle and scintillation.
Round Cut Diamonds Sparkle The Most
Because round diamonds have the largest number of facets, they create the most sparkle. The round diamond cut was engineered to have the strongest possible sparkle from its inception.
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.
What stone sparkles the most? ›
the speed of light in the gemstone. All minerals are measured on a scale and range from 1.2 to approximately 3. With a brilliance refractive index of 2.65 to 2.69, moissanite is the world's most brilliant gemstone.
What is the fanciest diamond cut? ›
Based on what is wasted from the rough stone, the round brilliant is the most expensive diamond cut. Over half of the rough stone is typically wasted to achieve this cut.
What cut of diamond is rare? ›
Old Mine Cut Diamonds:
They are unique because each diamond has been individually cut and shaped by diamond cutters by hand. Thus, no two diamond cuts are similar if you choose an old mine cut diamond. This attribute makes them rare.
What is the most in demand diamond cut? ›
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.
Which type of diamond is the most valuable? ›
Red diamonds are the rarest and some of the most expensive in the world. Also known as Fancy Reds, they come in a variety of shades ranging from orange-red to brownish red. Majority of the world's red diamonds come from the Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia.
What is the best cut diamond for money? ›
Avoid the round cut and go for an emerald shape. The round cut is more expensive because more of the rough diamond is lost in the crafting process. Slightly rectangular princess-cut diamonds also tend to be lower in cost and come with an environmental advantage: They use up to 80% of the rough diamond.
Which cut makes a diamond look bigger? ›
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.
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