Diamond cuts
The shape of a diamond largely determines the appearance of a piece of jewelry. Will you choose the timeless sparkle of a round diamond, the elegant lines of an oval, or the graphic character of an emerald cut? Discover the most well-known diamond shapes and find the one that suits your style.
Love in all shapes and sizes
What is the difference between diamond shape and cut quality?
Diamonds come in all sorts of different qualities, colors, and shapes. The diamond shape is very decisive for the look of your diamond jewelry. The most famous and commonly used diamond cut is the brilliant, a beautiful round shape. Less common shapes are also known as fancy cuts. Examples of fancy cut diamonds include pear, oval, marquise, princess, emerald, baguette, cushion, asscher, and radiant cut diamonds.
Incidentally, the shape of a diamond is something different from the cut. This refers to the quality of the cut and the way the diamond reflects light. The diamond cut is part of the 4Cs used to determine the quality of a diamond. Shape and cut quality are therefore not the same. Two oval diamonds can have the same shape and the same carat weight, yet look very different due to their proportions and cut quality.
Cut
Brilliant or round
The round brilliant is the most well-known and popular diamond shape. Its carefully placed facets are designed to reflect as much light as possible. As a result, this shape is known for its intense sparkle.
A round diamond has a timeless appeal and suits almost any ring style. It looks beautiful in a classic solitaire ring, but also combines effortlessly with side stones, a halo, or a diamond band.
Suits you if you love:
Timeless elegance, maximum sparkle, and a shape that never goes out of style.
Cut
Oval
The oval diamond combines the brilliance of a round cut with an elegant, elongated shape. Due to its relatively large surface area, an oval diamond can appear optically larger.
Its soft lines give the diamond a look that is both classic and contemporary. In a ring, the elongated shape also makes the finger appear longer and more slender.
In oval diamonds, a darker pattern may be visible in the center, also known as the bow-tie effect. A subtle bow tie is normal, but it should not overpower the diamond's brilliance.
Suits you if you love:
An elegant diamond shape that is sophisticated, modern, and striking without losing its timeless character.
Cut
Pear-shaped
The pear-shaped diamond, also known as a pear cut, combines the rounded side of an oval diamond with the refined point of a marquise diamond. The result is an elegant and distinct shape, sometimes also described as a teardrop. This tears of happiness diamond is therefore often a symbol of love and is perfect for an engagement ring.
The pear can be worn with the point facing towards the fingertip or towards the hand. When worn with the point facing forward, the shape creates an optically lengthening effect. Because the point is more vulnerable than a rounded side, a setting that provides good protection is especially important.
Suits you if you love:
A romantic, feminine diamond shape with a distinctive look.
Cut
Emerald
The emerald cut is rectangular in shape and recognizable by its cropped corners and long, step-cut facets. This cutting style creates a unique depth effect, often referred to as the hall of mirrors effect.
Instead of the sparkling brilliance of a round brilliant, the emerald cut is all about clarity, symmetry, and refined reflections. Due to its large open table, inclusions in the diamond are more easily visible. Therefore, good clarity and balanced proportions are especially important for this shape.
Suits you if you love:
Minimalist luxury, clean lines, and an elegant Art Deco look.
Cut
Heart
The heart-shaped diamond is one of the most symbolic diamond shapes. The shape is romantic and bold, requiring precise cutting to ensure both halves are beautifully symmetrical.
With smaller diamonds, the heart shape can be less clearly visible. Therefore, the shape often looks best in a slightly larger size or in a design where the contour remains clearly visible.
Suits you if you love:
A personal and romantic diamond shape with a clear meaning.
Which diamond shape looks the largest?
Not only the carat weight, but also the shape and proportions determine how large a diamond visually appears. Elongated shapes such as oval, pear, marquise, and emerald cut often have a relatively large surface area on the top. As a result, they can appear larger than a more compact diamond with the same carat weight. The setting also plays a role. A thin band, a halo, or a bezel setting around the diamond can make the center stone stand out even more.
Which diamond shape sparkles the most?
The round brilliant is known for its strong light reflection and intense sparkle. Diamond shapes with a brilliant facet structure, such as oval, pear, princess, and radiant, can also display a great deal of scintillation. An emerald or asscher cut sparkles in a different way. These shapes produce larger, calmer flashes of light and more visible depth. They sparkle less exuberantly, but have a clear and sophisticated appearance instead.
The perfect diamond shape for your engagement ring
The right diamond shape is the one that suits your personal style. A round brilliant feels classic and timeless, while an oval or pear-shaped diamond provides a more contemporary look. An emerald cut is refined and minimalist, while a cushion cut is soft and romantic. Also, take your daily life into account. Diamonds with sharp points or corners require a protective setting. Round shapes and models with rounded corners are generally less susceptible to knocks and are less likely to snag on clothing.
Diamond shapes at Aurore Jewelry
At Aurore Jewelry, we select every diamond for its beauty, symmetry, and brilliance. Our jewelry is crafted from 18-karat recycled gold and set with premium lab-grown diamonds. Discover our collection and find the diamond shape that fits your style and story.
Frequently asked questions
The round brilliant remains the best-known and most popular diamond shape. It is loved for its timeless look and intense sparkle. Oval, pear-shaped, and emerald-cut diamonds are also increasingly being chosen by people looking for a more distinctive engagement ring.
A round diamond refers to the shape of the stone. Brilliant refers to a specific way in which the facets are cut. In jewelry, a brilliant usually refers to a round brilliant-cut diamond.
Fancy cut is the collective term for diamond shapes that are not round. This includes, among others, oval, pear, emerald, cushion, princess, radiant, marquise, asscher, and heart-shaped diamonds.
Elongated diamond shapes such as oval, pear, marquise, and emerald cut can appear generous relative to their carat weight due to their large visible surface area. The precise appearance depends on the dimensions and proportions of the diamond. The type of setting also plays a role.
Elongated shapes such as oval, pear, marquise, and emerald cut can optically lengthen the finger. This effect is usually strongest when the diamond is placed along the length of the finger.
A well-cut round brilliant is known for its intense brilliance. Oval, pear-shaped, princess, and radiant diamonds also have a brilliant facet structure and can therefore display a great deal of light and sparkle.