There are a wide variety of diamond shapes: round, pear and oval to name a few. Every diamond has its own characteristics, so we've created a guide to help you further understand what makes each shape special.
Shape versus Cut: What's the Difference?
A diamond's shape is often confused with its cut. For that reason it‚ important to distinguish the difference between these two. First of all, the shape refers to the outline of the diamond when it is facing upwards. The shape of a diamond comes after processing (cutting and polishing). The cut is used to describe the proportions of a diamond (width, depth and symmetry). The GIA (Gemmological Institute of America) breaks down diamond cuts into brilliant cuts, step cuts and mixed cuts.
Brilliant cuts are the most popular as they showcase the sparkle and fire of a diamond most dramatically. Because of this, the round brilliant cut accounts for over 65% of sales of diamonds worldwide. Oval, pear, marquise and cushion cuts all come under the classification of modified brilliant cuts.
Round
The round brilliant cut has by far the most fire and brilliance out of all diamond cut and shapes. If you want your diamond to sparkle to its full potential, then this is the cut for you! *Tip: If you are thinking of purchasing a round diamond, we advise a round diamond to have an Excellent or Very Good quality cut. This is a hugely important factor, as the quality of cut affects the overall brilliance of a round cut diamond. View this 18ct yellow gold, round brilliant cut diamond ring.
Emerald
Emerald cut diamonds are unique for their mirror like effect. An emerald cut diamond is a distinct and unusual choice. An emerald cut makes a diamond look larger because it has a larger top surface/table than other more traditional cuts. *Tip: the clarity grade is particularly important in an emerald cut diamond as it has a larger surface area. Therefore, any blemishes or inclusions in an emerald cut diamond will be more noticeable.Click here to view this Paul Sheeran Jewellers Classic Emerald Solitaire.
Oval
A classic and timeless shape, an oval diamond makes the finger look slender and elegant. The modified brilliant cut also means that this shape produces tremendous sparkle, like the round cut, however has a slightly more unusual look. Oval shapes vary depending on the length to width ratio, which traditional varies between 1.33 and 1.65. However, the optimal shaped oval entirely depends on individual taste, needs, and of course finger length and overall size. View this stunning oval diamond halo ring from the Paul Sheeran Jewellers Heirloom Collection.
Pear
The pear combines the round brilliant cut at the bottom of the diamond, with the narrow, angular tip of a marquise. Therefore, an elongated pear can also make the finger appear slimmer. The unique shape of this diamond means it looks exquisite standing alone as a solitaire ring, or can be complemented by surrounding diamonds in a halo setting. Click here to view this pear cut solitaire ring.
Marquise
The marquise is an elegant and classic cut, and can make the diamond appear larger due to its length. The shape of this diamond elongates the finger, making it appear more slender. The marquise diamond is said to have been named after Louis XV‚ mistress, the Marquise of Pompadour. The outline is said to be inspired by the shape of her mouth! Click here to view this exquisite yellow gold marquise solitaire from the Paul Sheeran Jewellers Collection.
Princess
The princess cut first emerged in 1980 and is one of the most popular in today's market. Like round brilliant, the princess cut's popularity stems from its ability to showcase a diamond's brilliance and fire. As a result, the princess cut is particularly popular for engagement rings and offers a contemporary option to more traditional shapes. View this three-stone princess cut diamond ring.
Cushion
The cushion cut is a popular choice for an engagement ring and it's easy to understand why! Cushion cut diamonds produce terrific sparkle and are extremely elegant. Cushion cut diamonds first came into existence in the 1700's, and have made a comeback in recent years. View this beautiful antique style cushion cut diamond solitaire ring from our Heirloom Collection.
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We would be delighted to help you if you would like assistance in choosing the perfect engagement ring and if you would prefer a private appointment, please contact us.
