Diamond Shapes

Image via Wikipedia

Diamond Shapes 101

By now hopefully you have read the Diamond Buying Guide that I have written to help you with the tough decision of buying a Diamond Engagement Ring. You should have a fair grasp of the critical aspect in choosing the right diamond. So now we can get into something a little more fun.

Choosing the shape of the diamond! Here is were we get creative and dream of the ideal diamond for your fiancee’s hand. Some diamond cuts are better suited for small hands while others are suited for long fingered hands and some are more universally suited. Once we have covered the main shapes as well as a few others you probably will have warmed up to a shape that will suit your fiancee’s taste and hand.

Below you will find descriptions of the variety of shapes.

Round Brilliant Diamonds

shapes-round The Round Brilliant cut of diamond has lately become the default diamond shape that has been chosen for a diamond engagement ring. Due to it’s design in proportions and high number of facets (58) it achieves the unsurpassed brilliance and fire. Hence the round brilliant cut is chosen 7.5 times out of 10 when choosing loose diamonds. Read More…

Oval Diamonds

shapes-oval The Oval cut is a design that is very well suited for women with smaller hands and fingers. Due to its oval symmetry it gives the illusion of elongating the wearers hands. Ideally should be used in a solitaire setting. Read More…

Marquise Diamonds

shapes-marquise Marquise diamonds, similar to the oval also are well suited for women with smaller hands and fingers. The difference with the Marquise is in the points at the extremities. This design was originally created to emulate the charming smile of the Marquise de Pompadour and hence the name Marquise. This diamond shape should also be used in a solitaire setting so as to not bulk up a small hand. Read More…

Pear Shaped Diamonds

shapes-pear Similar to a tear drop, The Pear Shape Diamond takes the best characteristics from both the Marquise and the oval. It is usually used for pendants or seen on dazzling dangling earrings but can also be used for a diamond engagement ring. It is also suited for smaller hands and fingers. Read More…

Heart Shaped Diamonds

shapes-heart1 A heart Shaped diamond is a very rare cut and therefore is usually very difficult to find. This is mainly due to the difficulty in creating such a beauty. The heart shaped diamond is usually used for emotional or sentimental purposes other than a diamond wedding ring. Be certain to inspect this one for uniformity and well defined borders. Read More…

Emerald Cut Diamond

shapes-emerald The rectangular shape used to cut most emeralds is what gives this diamond shape its name. Aside from its rectangular shape the emerald cut diamond also has cut corners which in turn creates additional facets. This diamond shape has considerably fewer facets. This places a premium on superior clarity grades as inclusions become more visible. An emerald cut is considered a very traditional and elegant cut. Read More…

Princess Cut Diamond

shapes-princess One of the more popular square or rectangular diamond cuts is the relatively contemporary Princess Cut Diamond. This Diamond Shape is frequently used in pave framed setting or accompanied by triangular gems or diamonds at either side. This cut is more suitable for women with long slender fingers and hands. To maximize brilliance on a Princess Cut Diamond a cutter will deepen the proportions of the diamond. Read More…

Trilliant Diamonds

shapes-trilliant The Trilliant diamond is is a cut that offers an incredible amount of brilliance and fire. Not a shape that is regularly seen or used but can be adapted to many settings with accompanying stones. The Trilliant Shaped diamond can be found with rounded corners as well as with sharp corners. Read More…

Radiant Cut Diamonds

shapes-radiant This diamond shape can also be found in square or rectangle. The difference with the Radiant Cut Diamond is that it has many more facets that the emerald cut which offers it much more brilliance. Therefore it has the elegance of the emerald cut with the added benefit the brilliance of the Round Brilliant. To achieve this the Radiant cut has 70 facets and it weight more centered towards the depth of the diamond to achieve this wonderful fiery brilliance. Read More…

Cushion Cut Diamond

Shapes-cushion_cut The Cushion Cut Diamond is more of a classical antique type of cut. Some consider it a hybrid of an Old Miners Cut and a contemporary oval cut diamond. Read More…

Asscher Cut Diamond

The Asscher Cut is a square or rectangular shaped diamond cut. It has 74 facets and is considered a modification or improvement to the emerald cut it too is a stepped cut. Read More…

Consumer trends and the creativity of today’s diamond cutters are yielding wonderful varieties of cuts. Thanks to marketing and consumer individualism we are finding increasing prominence in hybrids and variations like the hearts and arrows. Others are finding their own niche in the market place among the regulars by branding their type of diamond cut and charging a premium. Some of these new cuts can be hype and others truly are beautiful pieces that can prove to be true pieces of diamond cutting art.

Take the time to view the websites that I recommend. (Mondera, Blue Nile and JamesAllen.com). James Allen for instance offers real detailed pictures of a great variety of diamond shapes that you can buy. Now that I have shared with you the various shapes you are ready to buy go into their website and start to create your own diamond engagement ring. The folks at James Allen have even let me offer a 10% coupon that you can find at the bottom right of every page.