10 Most Common Diamond Shape

A diamond has such significance in your journey through fine jewelry, most importantly as it relates to engagement rings. Many buyers may gravitate towards carat weight or clarity when considering their purchase, but what most people notice first is the diamond shape as a large identifier of how the ring will appear and represent the individual, as well as its beauty.

There are so many different shapes of diamonds available for you to choose from, the popular round, oval, Asscher, emerald and many more, but how will you know how to choose the right shape or which shape of diamond will be the best one for you? In this guide, I will help you learn about each type of diamond shape and how each of them compares to one another to enable you to make the best decision possible for your own personal style, budget and lifestyle.

Real Meaning of Diamond Shape Vs Cut

Diamond shape and diamond cut are not the same; they refer to different aspects of a diamond. The shape of a diamond refers to its overall form; examples include round/oval/princess/pear, which contribute to the diamond's appearance. The cut of a diamond reflects how well the facets have been designed, which is important for the diamond's light reflectivity and brilliance.

The diamond's shape will affect how a person prefers. However, the diamond's cut will determine its visual characteristics. When selecting your desired shape, confirm what quality cut of that diamond you prefer (i.e., excellent cut, very good cut, good cut, fair cut, and poor cut).

10 Diamond Shapes

1. Round

The round diamond also known as the “round brilliant,” is the most popular and recognized choice for use in engagement rings and fine jewelry. The round diamond has 58 facets, which have been cut with precision to create the highest level of reflection of light and the unmatched sparkle of a round diamond.

The round shape of a diamond allows it to catch light from all directions; therefore, a round diamond is by far the leading shape in the diamond industry. Due to their shape, round diamonds can be set in a great variety of styles, such as solitaire or halo, to enhance their brilliance, or pave to provide added sparkle. Buyers who prefer traditional and classic styles will always like the round shape of diamonds; it will remain in style and continue to represent love and elegance forever.

2. Princess

A princess shaped diamond is a trendy modern-day diamond shape. It usually has a square or narrow rectangular shape with brilliant faceting that enhances the diamond's sparkle while still appearing geometrically clean. 

It is generally made with 50-58 facets to reflect light, providing an amazing brilliance that resembles a round diamond yet is much less expensive than the original price point of a round diamond. Princess-shaped diamonds are a great choice for people who want a bold, structured design, with a combination of elegance, fire, and contemporary sophistication.

3. Oval

Oval-shaped diamond are very beautiful, long, and have a great deal of sparkle. An oval diamond is generally cut with 56 – 58 facets, which give it great sparkle. The elongated shape provides a lot of visual length and makes your finger look longer than a round diamond of the same carat size. An oval-shaped diamond will typically look bigger (to the naked eye) than a round diamond of the same carat size, which provides the wearer with great visual value. 

One of the most noticeable characteristics of an oval diamond is the "bow tie", which is the shadow that runs across the very center of the diamond, and the amount of bow tie shadow will depend on how well the diamond is cut. An oval diamond will appeal to people who are looking for brilliance, elegance, a more sophisticated diamond and a contemporary style with exceptional visual appeal.

4. Cushion

Cushion cut diamond are an ageless shape because of their rounded corner soft square/ rectangular outline that looks like a pillow. They have 58 facets in general, but some variations exist, which help the diamond shine brightly while giving an old-fashioned romantic touch. There are two main types of cushion cuts: the “chunky” facet style, which is a traditional cut; and the “crushed ice” facet style, which gives a very sparkly and textured look. 

Cushion cut diamonds with more prominent facets show their clarity better and produce a warm, soft, and shining sparkle as opposed to less defined, brilliant sparkle as with other diamond shapes. Cushion shapes are for anyone who likes antique charm, softness and modern elegance in their jewelry selection.

5. Emerald

With its rectangular form, the emerald cut diamond has an elegant essence due to the straight lines that run parallel to each other along with the step facet design implemented throughout the stone. Unlike a brilliant cut, an emerald cut diamond contains on average 57 facets, instead of having interspersed facets to create an overall "mirror" image effect, which gives the diamond its unique look. Due to this design characteristic and the nature of having a large open table, an emerald cut diamond will display inclusions/imperfections more prominently, requiring even greater emphasis on quality than other cuts. 

The straight edges and trimmed corners of cutting-edge gemstone shapes give the maximum coherence and ideal geometric form to these cuts. Overall, the shape allows for a pear-shaped cut to have a graceful appearance due, in part, to the gentle glow of light due to being step-cut; it will suit someone looking for understated elegance, symmetry, and an overall timeless architectural design when looking for a fine piece of jewelry.

6. Pear 

Pear-shaped diamond has a similar appearance to that of a teardrop; it will achieve the same rainbow color as a round diamond when viewed from above, while the shape creates an eye-catching shape and a well-rounded performance. This diamond typically has between 56 and 58 facets that are uniquely cut to allow maximum light to reflect out and give sparkle to the diamond. The pear’s shape has one rounded end and one tapered point for a unique silhouette that creates the illusion of elongation on an individual’s finger. 

To achieve the desired look, this diamond must be cut with extreme precision to produce proper symmetry and balance; there is no other shape like it in existence.  A pear-shaped diamond may show some degree of the ‘bow tie’ effect due to how well or poorly the diamond has been cut; this is similar to the way that ovals can exhibit this as well. The pear diamond does offer a unique, elegant appearance with fire and a touch of individuality, and the person who chooses this shape will appreciate having this type of diamond in their collection.

7. Marquise

A marquise diamond is generally elongated, sharp on both ends, and created to maximize the framework of the diamond. The shape of a marquise diamond is sometimes called a pear-shaped diamond, which is true in the sense that a marquise diamond has an elongated appearance with more surface area than other shapes of diamonds. The diamond usually has a total of 56-58 facets giving it an incredible ability to reflect light and create a stunning appearance through brilliance when properly cut. 

The long, narrow shape of the marquise diamond creates the effect of a larger than actual size diamond and also elongates the appearance of a finger on which it is worn. The proportions of a marquise diamond can be shaped and cut in such a way that both ends match perfectly. When cutting the diamond, the better the quality level of the cut, the more pronounced the diamond will have noticeable 'bowtie' shadowing. Marquise diamonds are strongly recommended to anyone who desires a dramatic yet classic style and has a presence that is very noticeable in high-end fine jewelry.

8. Asscher

The Asscher cut diamond are designed to be square in shape with a step-shaped cut, representing vintage elegance and creating amazing symmetrical lines in the final cut. The Asscher cut typically has a total of 58 facets, has deeply cut corners (or trimmed), and has step faceted design layers that produce a remarkable “hall of mirrors” effect. 

Unlike the brilliant cut style which produces a powerful sparkle of light, the Asscher cut produces a much softer, more refined style of sparkle that emphasizes more on the diamond’s clarity and depth rather than producing a strong fire. In addition, the Asscher cut's high crown and small table contribute to the diamond's three-dimensional size and give it an almost architectural-like overall look.

9. Radiant

Radiant cut diamond create a beautiful combination of the sophistication of emerald cut diamonds and the sparkle of round-shaped diamonds. There are 70 facets on a radiant cut diamond, which maximize the sparkle and light reflection on this style of diamond, while the cut remains in either a rectangular or square shape, with pointed corners. 

Radiant cut diamonds have a unique facet pattern created so that they reflect light better than step cut diamonds and therefore, deliver more fire and brilliance and are a great choice for hiding any inclusions. Radiant cut diamonds provide a statement of modern style and are highly durable; a great balance of structure, sparkle, and contemporary style. 

10. Heart Diamond

The heart-shaped diamond is an imposing representation of romance and devotion. This unique diamond shape will typically have 56–58 facets, which create a magnificent amount of brilliance and the distinct shape of a heart. The precision needed to achieve the ideal symmetry of this shape is extraordinary because of the strong curvatures and clefts that require the utmost carefulness to maintain optimal curvatures and symmetry. 

A perfectly cut heart diamond will create the exact proportions and sparkle on the surface of the diamond as well as create the most amount of light reflection with brilliant-style faceting to give the heart diamond a dazzling amount of fire and brilliance. If a person is looking for a bold, meaningful design, heart-shaped diamonds would be an ideal choice due to their uniquely shaped and imprinted designs with the emotion of love and devotion, along with the stunning brilliance of the diamond.

Conclusion:

There is no "best" diamond shape; you should choose the diamond shape you want based on how it makes you feel. Each shape has a unique color, brilliance and features, plus they also reflect light differently. So this diamond will represent you visually or tell your personal story through visually telling how great you are and will be in that piece of jewelry. To decide what cut fits you the best, look for something that speaks to you romantically, regardless of old or new, traditional or modern, etc. Discover the perfect diamond shape that matches your style at our OM Gems online store. 

1. What is the most popular diamond shape?

The round brilliant diamond is the most popular shape because of its unmatched sparkle and timeless appearance.

2. What is the difference between diamond shape and cut?

Diamond shape refers to the overall form of the diamond, while cut measures how well the diamond’s facets reflect light and create brilliance.

3. Which diamond shape looks the biggest?

Oval, marquise, and pear-shaped diamonds often appear larger than round diamonds of the same carat weight because of their elongated shape.

4. Which diamond shape sparkles the most?

Round brilliant diamonds generally produce the most sparkle due to their precise facet arrangement and excellent light reflection. 

5. Are fancy-shaped diamonds cheaper than round diamonds?

Yes, fancy diamond shapes such as oval, cushion, emerald, and pear are often more affordable than round diamonds of the same carat size. 

6. What is the best diamond shape for engagement rings?

The best shape depends on personal style. Round and oval are classic choices, while princess, pear, and radiant offer a more modern look. 

7. Which diamond shape is best for long fingers?

Oval, marquise, and pear-shaped diamonds help elongate the appearance of fingers and create an elegant look. 

8. Do certain diamond shapes hide inclusions better?

Yes, radiant, cushion, and round diamonds hide inclusions better because of their brilliant faceting and sparkle. 

9. Which diamond shape has a vintage look?

Asscher, emerald, and cushion-cut diamonds are often associated with vintage and antique-inspired styles. 

10. Can a diamond shape affect the price?

Yes, diamond shape can significantly affect pricing because different shapes require different cutting processes and levels of rough diamond waste.