The term “Diamond Shape” refers to the geometric characteristics of a diamond. It’s the physical and visual shape of the stone. Each shape has unique attributes that impact sparkle and overall look.

When you're on the hunt for an engagement ring, your first order of business is to choose what diamond shape you'd like. The shape you choose has the most noticeable impact on the overall look of the ring. Choosing a diamond shape is largely based on style and personal preference.

While Round shaped diamonds are the most popular and traditional choice, many people are drawn to the distinctive look of non-round or fancy-shaped diamonds. Some of the popular fancy-shaped diamonds are Oval, Cushion, Princess, Pear, Emerald, Marquise, Asscher, Radiant and Heart.

In this page, we will take you through the most popular diamond shapes, helping you to make an informed decision that suits your style and taste.

 

Shape	Description	Look for	L/W
Round	Round diamonds, the most popular and iconic shape of all time, are uniform and symmetrical. They are precisely cut to feature over 58 facets that allow for optimal light and sparkle.	brilliance, symmetry, clarity	Length to width ratio: 1.00 to 1.03

 

 

Princess

Princess cut diamonds are known for their contemporary and eye-catching style and are the second most popular diamond shape, following round diamonds. They feature over 70 facets that create exceptional fire and scintillation.

Princess cuts are ideally square but can be found in pleasing rectangular shape as well.

Look for: brilliance, pleasing proportions

Length to width ratio: 1.00 to 1.05

Oval

A scintillating twist on the classic round brilliant, this elongated shape can create the illusion of larger size while exhibiting a similar fire and brilliance.

One caveat of the oval shape, which is also present in other elongated cuts such as the pear and marquise, is what is known as the bow-tie effect. This is a shadow created by the light passing through the stone which casts a shadow into the bottom facets that resembles a bow tie.

Look for: brilliance, limited bow-tie effect

Length to width ratio: 1.30 to 1.50. Diamonds closer to 1.30 are rounder and get longer as they edge closer to 1.50.

Pear

Known as the ‘Teardrop Diamond”, the pear shaped diamond features a rounded end tapering to a point at the opposite end. This elongated shape flatters fingers like an oval-cut and are renowned for their versatility.

Look for: symmetry, brilliance, limited bow-tie effect

Length to width ratio: 1.40 to 1.70

Marquise

Marquise shaped diamonds feature dramatic pointed ends with a curved middle, creating a large surface area. This unique cut maximizes perceived size while elongating and flattering fingers. 

Look for: pleasing proportions, limited bow-tie effect

Length to width ratio: 1.85 to 2.10

Cushion

The cushion cut diamond is known for its soft square or rectangular cut with rounded corners, making it resemble to a pillow. Due to its precise bending and dispersion of light, the cushion cut beams with fire.

Cushion cut diamonds remain popular as they are often considered a romantic and vintage-inspired alternative to the brilliant round diamond.

Look for: clarity, color

Length to width ratio: For a square cushion, the ideal ratio is 1.00-1.05 & for a rectangular cushion, look for ratio between 1.10-1.20

Emerald

Emerald cut diamonds are the most popular step-cut shape, typically rectangular with cut corners and a large, open table. They are distinguished by their step-cut facets, which produce a unique, geometric "hall of mirrors" effect.

Emerald cut diamonds are more transparent than other diamond shapes, and often require higher standards of color and clarity.

Look for: clarity, color

Length to width ratio: 1.30 to 1.60

Radiant

True to its name, this cut is truly radiant. It is a hybrid, combining the elegant glamour of the emerald shape with the fire and brilliance of the round.

Radiant cut diamonds are typically rectangular in shape, and are a good choice for those who like the style of emerald cut diamonds but seek greater brilliance.

Look for: brilliance, pleasing proportions

Length to width ratio: 1.15 to 1.35

Heart

Heart shaped diamond is a unique and an unmistakable symbol of love. The Heart shape shimmers with two symmetrical halves, creating a bold and romantic look.

A meaningful shape, these diamonds are cut with precise symmetry to showcase the diamond's sparkle.

Look for: evenly dispersed brilliance and color, pleasing proportions

Length to width ratio: 0.95 to 1.05

Asscher

The asscher cut diamond is similar to the emerald cut, but in a square shape with larger step facets, a higher crown, and a smaller table. This combination often produces more brilliance than the emerald cut.

Look for: clarity, color

Length to width ratio: 1.00 to 1.05

 

While we've outlined the most popular diamond shapes above, there are a lot more alternative diamond shapes that are increasing in popularity, like trillion cut, baguettes, tapered baguette, half moon and trapezoid.

Which is the best diamond shape?

Well, there’s no “best” diamond shape for everyone. Each shape has its own range of strengths and weaknesses and choosing the right one depends on your personal tastes, preferences and budget.