Which Diamond Cut Is Best? | With Clarity (2024)

By: WC Editorial Team Read Time: 4 mins Diamond

May 26, 2023

Like every other trend, diamond shapes tend to explode in popularity. One might fade away, while another becomes the beloved choice of engagement ring shoppers everywhere. So though you might be wondering which diamond cut is the best, it depends on who you ask. If you’re shopping for yourself or that special someone, it comes down to priorities. But if you want to know which diamond shapes are most popular right now, we have you covered. Read on to discover more about each shape and what makes them special.

Which diamond cut is best: Shapes by popularity

At With Clarity, we offer the nine most popular diamond shapes, certified by GIA. While the correct term is diamond shape, it's also referred to as the "cut" of the diamond.

Which Diamond Cut Is Best? | With Clarity (1)

Round
The most popular diamond shape, the round cut was invented through jewelers’ attempts to create a cut with the most facets and shine. Today, more than 75% of the world's diamonds are cut in the brilliant style. Its 58-facet cut is calibrated according to a precise formula to achieve maximum sparkle. When cutting a rough stone, more is lost in shaping a round diamond, so the cost of each carat retained is higher. Rounds are also the most popular shape for other jewelry like necklaces and earrings.

Which Diamond Cut Is Best? | With Clarity (2)

Princess The princess-cut diamond was created after polling women to find out what they wanted. (Imagine!) This cut is renowned for its incredible shine despite the square shape. This cut requires more weight to be directed toward the diamond's depth to maximize brilliance. Depth percentages of 70% to 78% are common, and the ideal square ratio ranges from 1.00 to 1.05. A princess cut should always be set for four prongs to protect its corners from chips. It has 57 or 58 facets and is known as "square modified brilliant" or "rectangular modified brilliant" when the ratio is greater than 1.10.

Which Diamond Cut Is Best? | With Clarity (3)

Cushion
Similar to the princess cut, the cushion-cut diamond has a relatively square shape. However, it's available in a multitude of ratios, making it either square or rectangular. Cushion cuts blend the energy of a round brilliant with the symmetry of a radiant cut; the corners of the stone are rounded, which is great for a woman with an active lifestyle. Also known as the "pillow cut," the cushion cut has larger faceting, which enhances brilliance. Cushion-cut diamonds have great fire (the light that is reflected out of a diamond in a rainbow of color). Larger facets can show clarity inclusions, so evaluate the location of inclusions by examining the certificate's diamond plot or talking to an expert gemologist.

Which Diamond Cut Is Best? | With Clarity (4)

Oval
Oval diamonds possess the brilliance of the round cut, but they can draw more attention because of their unique shape. This is a fashionable cut because they can appear larger than a round diamond at the same carat weight. It's also beloved for its ability to flatter the hand. The shape may have been developed to represent the longevity of a relationship, but it's valued because the oval diamond can make one's fingers look longer and thinner. Be careful when selecting a diamond with this style stone — the rounded ends have a tendency to show more color than a round diamond would, so it's wise to go up a color grade to ensure the ends appear colorless.

Which Diamond Cut Is Best? | With Clarity (5)

Emerald
One of the first diamond cuts in the world, the emerald cut is perfect for colored gemstones as well as high-quality diamonds. Also known as "step cut" because of the layered faceting, the emerald cut possesses unique appeal with symmetrical sparkle. The faceting is minimal and simple and therefore tends to show inclusions. An open setting can also show the diamond's color, so closed or bezel type settings are recommended with lower colors. If you choose an emerald cut, it's smart not to compromise in diamond quality, because the style emphasizes the color in the stone.

Which Diamond Cut Is Best? | With Clarity (6)

Pear
The pear-shaped diamond engagement ring is incredibly unique, which is why many women love it. A pear-shaped diamond is shaped like a teardrop, with a slightly flatter and larger bottom and a skinny point at the opposite end. With 58 facets, light dances through the diamond similar to a round brilliant cut, maximizing sparkle. The shape allows the wearer the option of pointing it up or down. Its faceting often masks inclusions, and those found near the point tend to be less visible. The suggested cut ratio is 1.5 to 1.7. Always set the diamond with a prong covering the point of the stone to prevent chipping.

Which Diamond Cut Is Best? | With Clarity (7)

Marquise
The marquise-cut diamond has many nicknames, including the football cut, boat cut, eye cut or navette cut. Its intriguing shape and style allow the bride maximum creativity in her ring choice. A variant of round- and pear-shaped diamonds, the marquise's elongated body can make it seem larger than its actual carat weight. It's an excellent cut to show off long, slender fingers. The suggested cut ratio is 1.75 to 2.25.

Which Diamond Cut Is Best? | With Clarity (8)

Asscher
Nearly octagonal in shape because of its curved edges, the Asscher cut has a timeless, understated effect. Step-cut facets create a soft glow emanating from the stone. It's a blend of the princess and emerald cuts, with X-shaped facets from its corners to its center culet. The step cut emphasizes the clarity of the diamond, and it's ideal for showcasing higher clarity diamonds. The faceting can mask certain inclusions and lower color grades. Its suggested cut ratio is 1.00 to 1.05 for square proportions.

Which Diamond Cut Is Best? | With Clarity (9)

Radiant
A beautifully symmetrical, non-traditional cut, the radiant shape combines the brilliance of a round and the purity of an emerald cut. The radiant is considered one of the shiniest cuts of diamonds because of its 70 facets; it has a fiery look while maintaining soft, cut corners. A rectangular radiant cut is an excellent option for buyers who like the emerald-cut shape but want something with the brilliance of a round. A ratio of 1.00 to 1.05 will create a square shape, and 1.30 to 1.50 will produce a rectangle.

Lab Diamond Popular Shapes

RoundCushionOvalEmeraldPrincess
$1,800$1,700$1,900$1,700$1,800

Natural Diamond Popular Shapes

RoundCushionOvalEmeraldPrincess
$5,800$3,900$5,000$4,500$4,600

Which diamond cut is the best for me?

If you're concerned about the ring flattering your hand...
Consider elongated shapes, including the oval, emerald, and elongated cushion, which are super-trendy right now. One reason why: They make your hands and fingers look longer. And slimmer. The pear shape is also incredibly flattering and allows for real creativity in positioning and band choice.

If you're concerned about cost...
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.

What's the best diamond shape, bottom line? There is none! The best diamond shape is the one that you like the best and would delight in wearing every day.

Which Diamond Cut Is Best? | With Clarity (2024)

FAQs

Which Diamond Cut Is Best? | With Clarity? ›

It's a blend of the princess and emerald cuts

cuts
A gemstone desired to be used in jewelry is cut depending on the size and shape of the rough stone, as well as the desired piece of jewelry to be made. As a general rule, a cut gemstone will reduce the mass (in carats) by about 50%.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Cut_(gems)
, with X-shaped facets from its corners to its center culet. The step cut emphasizes the clarity of the diamond, and it's ideal for showcasing higher clarity diamonds. The faceting can mask certain inclusions and lower color grades.

Which diamond cut is considered as best? ›

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.

Is VS1 or VS2 better? ›

​ ​VS1 is higher than the VS2 grade. The only difference between the two is a VS2 diamond's impurities can be easier to spot than those in a VS1. Imperfections in a VS2 grade diamond are similar in size and quantity to those in a VS1.

Which cut of diamond gives the most sparkle? ›

The round diamond cut has the perfect number of facets and offers complex results. These facets interplay to produce exceptional brilliance, reflecting light by themselves to produce a magical sparkle. Therefore, the most brilliant, or sparkliest, diamond cut is the brilliant round cut.

What cut diamond holds its value the best? ›

They are classic with timeless quality, which means round cut brilliant diamonds also tend to retain and appreciate the most in value. We sell more round cut diamonds than any other shape. That means the pricing needs to be comparable because these are regularly in high demand.

What cut makes a diamond look biggest? ›

The marquise diamond shape has the largest appearance of any shape. It has a similar elongated look as the oval and pear shapes, but both ends form tapered points. The marquise shape will always look the largest because those tapered points create the largest surface area of all the shapes.

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 diamond clarity is best? ›

The best diamond clarity grade is FL, flawless.

Is G better than H in diamonds? ›

G or H Color Diamond? Diamond experts recommend that you should not go beyond the H color if you purchase a diamond. The difference between G and H color diamonds is not worth the extra price because the color difference is almost impossible to detect with the naked eye.

Is ideal or excellent cut better? ›

Ideal Ideal is the next highest cut grade reserved for Round Brilliant cut diamonds. Ideal diamonds are cut to maximize brilliance with perfect proportions. This is a rare quality held by <1% of all diamonds. Excellent Excellent is the highest cut grade for all diamond shapes outside of Round Brilliants.

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 cut diamond shines brilliantly due to? ›

The correct answer is total internal reflection. Total internal reflection is a complete reflection of a ray of light within a medium such as water or glass from the surrounding surfaces back into the medium.

What diamond chain shines the most? ›

Often, diamond cuts with more facets have the most sparkle, but more isn't necessarily better. In fact, the ideal number of facets on a diamond is 58.

What is the cheapest cut of diamonds? ›

According to industry experts, some of the most affordable diamond shapes are the oval, cushion, and princess cuts, often costing between 20% and 30% less than a round cut.

Is moissanite as good as diamond? ›

Moissanite is a superior gemstone that will always stay bright and beautiful. Unlike other forms of diamond, moissanite never loses its sparkle or brilliance over time due to its hardness and refractive index that tests the best among all diamonds on the market!

What is the least popular diamond shape? ›

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

What type of diamond is the highest quality? ›

The highest clarity rating for diamonds is Flawless (F). Flawless diamonds have no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10X magnification when examined by a qualified diamond grader.

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

Which type of diamond is best to buy? ›

For diamonds over 2 carats, a clarity grade of VS2 or higher is the safest bet for avoiding any signs of visible inclusions. In diamonds between 1 and 2 carats, clarity grades of SI1 or better will not have inclusions easily visible to the naked eye.

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