August 11, 2023
Top 7 Diamond Shapes & What They Say About You
Isabella Riley
What does your choice in diamond shape or engagement ring shape say about you? Often the first step in choosing an engagement ring is determining the shape or different diamond cuts (round, princess, marquise, etc.) of the diamond you like best. Diamonds are also a popular choice for wedding bands promise rings. Below you will find a comprehensive list of the most popular diamond shapes and their characteristics.
Shape (different diamond cuts) describes a diamond's form, primarily as viewed from above; and although a round, or brilliant-cut, diamond is the most popular, there are many other different diamond cuts to consider. Oval, round, princess, radiant, cushion or marquise shapes are well-suited to being the primary stone in a multi-stone ring. Did you know that the shape of diamond you prefer in your engagement ring may reveal something about your personality, style or love life?
DIAMOND SHAPE: ROUND
Round diamonds are the most popular of shapes chosen, its classic & simple design is made for maximum sparkle! This stone shape is for the woman who loves elegance, simplicity, and tradition all in one.
Round engagement rings are a classic look, and whether you're looking for a classic solitaire engagement ring or a pavé halo style, our round-cut diamond engagement rings are handcrafted to the highest standards.
Distinguished by their 58 facets and a 360-degree symmetrical shape, when in doubt, the round is always a smart choice. Geometrically, the “Brilliant Round” diamond is ideally suited to maximize light return. On a less technical note, the circular shape of the round diamond is said to signify love without end. When choosing a round diamond, we suggest the color of H (J for yellow gold bands) and clarity of VS2.
Some celebrities who have been given round diamond engagement rings are Madonna, Barbara Streisand, and Miranda Kerr.
FUN FACT! Round is the #1 most requested center stone shape accounting for approximately 75% of all diamonds sold!
DIAMOND SHAPE: PRINCESS
Princess-cut diamonds are available for those wanting a square stone offering a similar brilliance or sparkle of a round-shaped diamond. This stone shape is for the woman who is drawn to excitement and a true romantic at heart because the princess stone shape is known to manifest beauty, style, and edge. Truly the "hopeless romantic" of all shapes, some refer to this shape as the square diamond.
The most popular fancy shape, princess cut diamonds are designed to maximize sparkle while maintaining a chic square shape.
Invented in the early 1960s by Arpad Nagy, the “princess cut” was originally called the “profile cut”. Princess-cut diamond engagement rings possess the same brilliance as a round diamond but in a sleek square shape.
Some celebrities who have been given princess-cut diamond engagement rings are Kate Bosworth and Jessica Biel.
FUN FACT! Princess shaped diamond rings are the 2nd most requested diamond-cut style.
DIAMOND SHAPE: OVAL
With an elongated design, oval diamonds encompass you in its captivating & elegant shape. This stone shape is for the woman who has flair for all things creative & individualistic.
Oval diamonds can offer the sparkle of round stones in a dazzling silhouette. These are the most ideal choice for those who are seeking a uniquely shaped diamond, it's a different diamond cut that accentuates long & slender fingers.
Oval shaped diamonds are great for those who love to stay ahead of the trends, but also love a classic yet elegant aesthetic.
Some celebrities who have been given oval diamond engagement rings are Blake Lively, Hailey Beiber & Kate Middleton.
FUN FACT! The oval diamond shape introduced in the late 1950s or early 1960s by its creator, Lazare Kaplan.
DIAMOND SHAPE: CUSHION
A cushion-shaped stone will have a square-rectangular cut with rounded corners & large facets to enhance the brilliance of the stone. This stone shape is for the woman who knows that the past dictates her future and she isn’t afraid to embrace it with both hands!
This antique style cut has a classic, romantic appeal, and is also known as “pillow-cut” diamonds. Synonymous with royalty, cushion-cut diamonds are coveted for their distinctive soft shape and brilliant facets.
Adorning the fingers of brides for centuries, the rounded corners and fiery facets of a cushion cut create a dazzling kaleidoscopic effect that catches the light and emphasizes the stone's beauty. This is typically one of the most important factors that women are most concerned about when looking at different shapes of diamonds and what each one has to offer!
Some celebrities who have been given cushion-cut diamond engagement rings are Megan Markle, Kim Kardashian & Sofia Vergara.
FUN FACT! Just as you see a marquise diamond ring and think, '80s, cushion-cut diamonds are said to be "the" shape of this era!
DIAMOND SHAPE: EMERALD
Emerald shape diamonds have long facets & layered corners that resemble stairs and, like its wearer, is strong and bold. This stone shape is for the woman who enjoys flashy and exuberant fashion.
An emerald shape will highlight clarity better than any of the other shapes. It's similar to a square diamond (princess-cut), but elongated and has different faceting. This popular style is best known for its beauty & precision because the long lines of the stone accentuate its sophistication.
Due to its large step-facets, inclusions and body-color are much more obvious to see with the naked eye in this shape. Our diamond experts recommend a clarity grade of SI1 or better. Remember, when shopping for an emerald cut diamond you need to choose the highest quality stone within your budget.
Some celebrities who have been given emerald-cut diamond engagement rings are Beyonce, Eva Longoria & Amal Clooney.
FUN FACT! Vogue magazine once stated this about emerald-cut diamonds: "This cut is best suited for women who have a discerning taste—those who skew classic with an edge."
DIAMOND SHAPE: MARQUISE
Are you an eternal romantic searching for an engagement ring with an aristocratic air? Consider the marquise diamond! Pronounced “mahr-keez,” this stone shape is for the woman who has a larger-than-life personality and a love for all things glamorous.
A marquise diamond engagement ring is sure to behold extraordinary character and plenty of sparkle.
The elongated stone gives an illusion of greater size and many appreciate the fact that marquise diamonds will make fingers appear longer and more slender. The points at each end of a marquise-cut diamond are a clear display of internal and external strength. Commonly also referred to as the football-shaped cut, the boat-
Some celebrities who have been given marquise-cut diamond engagement rings are Ashlee Simpson, Portia de Rossi, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
FUN FACT! Marquise shaped diamond engagement rings are most flattering to the small hand, making it appear longer.
DIAMOND SHAPE: PEAR
Pear diamonds are a very stylish & bold mix between a round and marquise-shaped diamond. A pear-shape diamond engagement ring is for the woman who is always on the lookout for adventure.
They have a resemblance to an elegant teardrop with one pointed end and one rounded end – combining tradition and brilliance, a pear-shaped diamond& is perfect for the bride who is drawn to excitement & the unexpected.
Looking for the best way to clean your pear diamond engagement ring? Take a look at our jewelry care & cleaning guide!
The beautiful, tapered shape of pear diamond rings can make hands look slimmer and more graceful, perfect for an engagement ring.
Some celebrities who have been given pear shapediamond engagement rings are Jessica Simpson, Victoria Beckham, and Sophie Turner.
FUN FACT! The pointed end of a pear shape diamond engagement ring should point towards the heart of the wearer.
Diamonds come in all shapes and sizes, but it’s up to you to find a cut that fits you best!
Remember! It's important to get your ring finger sized before you start shopping. While it isn't impossible to expand or shrink the band, too much resizing can damage or change your ring. You can also use our online ring sizer to start!
We hope this diamond shape guide helped you to understand what makes each shape special to help you pick the perfect one! For more information and to view styles in-store with a professional diamond expert, we encourage you to make an appointment.
We have the top 7 diamond engagement ring shapes listed above but encourage you to think of it this way: what do you want to wear on that left hand of yours? Because it’s going to be there for a long time.
A bold brilliant, precise princess, larger-than-life oval, or a dazzling cushion— all different diamond cuts are gorgeous. But, it’s more than a shape, it’s a lifestyle