How to Choose Your Diamond Shape

Choosing an engagement ring marks a significant step, and one of the initial decisions to make is selecting the diamond shape that resonates with you. However, if you're unsure about the right diamond shape for you, this process can feel overwhelming. The good news is, the array of diamond shapes available offers something for everyone's preferences.

We have created this chart for the top most popular diamond shapes for engagement rings. While there are many, many more shapes - these are the most common.

FACT: Keep in mind that a “carat” is a unit of weight not a distance. To measure distance, we use millimeters.

FACT: Did you know that although weighted in carats, different gemstones (i.e. sapphire, topaz, garnet, etc.) have different densities? This means that each gem verity will visually look a different size even though they may weigh the same on a scale. This is why we measure length x width x height in millimeters!

Classic and Traditional:

Round Brilliant Cut: Renowned for its timeless appeal and symmetrical design, the round brilliant cut diamond is always the most popular shape. When Ideal/Excellent cut, it exhibits unparalleled brilliance, fire, and scintillation.

Round Brilliant Cut

A diamond’s brilliant comes from it’s symmetry and the specific angles of the table/crown/pavillion - a round shape is designed with maximum optical performance in mind.

Oval Shape: Resembling an elongated version of the round brilliant cut, oval diamonds boast perfect symmetry and are particularly suitable for smaller hands or shorter fingers, offering a visually elongating effect. Ovals are the second most popular diamond shape to round brilliants.

Oval Shape

The “stiletto” of the diamond shapes, the oval’s narrow width is exaggerated by it’s length.

The ratio of length to width is crucial. While there are ratios considered ideal, the ultimate decision is up to your preference. Do you prefer more round and wide, exaggeratedly narrow and long, or somewhere in-between?

Princess Cut: With its well-defined corners and square design, the princess cut is an ideal choice for those who prefer a modern, angular and uncomplicated style.

Princess Cut

Particularly flattering on longer fingers, this shape is often best set with v-prong style corners.

Vintage Styled:

Marquise Shape: Unique for its elongated shape with pointed ends, marquise diamonds are well-suited for smaller hands or shorter fingers. Coming in and out of style over the last century, the marquise is a diamond shape that evokes a vintage feel. Those who wear this shape are typically marquise shape enthusiasts.

Marquise Shape

This shape is often best set with v-style prong ends and 4 prongs in the middle of the gem, bezel or semi-bezel.

Cushion Shape: A blend of modern and vintage styles, cushion cut diamonds are a soft square. These diamonds are typically square in shape with rounded corners and gently curved edges. Due to their rounded nature, this shape is best set with double prongs in each corner.

Cushion Shape

The cushion shape is (both square or rectangle) known to be a more deep gem. This does mean that at the same carat weight, it will appear more petite than a round, oval, or pear shaped diamond. Should you have a specific size “look” in mind (i.e. 1ct), consider increasing the size at least 0.25ct more than your goal to achieve the same look.

Elongated Cushion

A more recent variant, elongated cushion shaped diamonds are trending in 2022, 2023, and 2024. More commonly found in lab grown diamonds, this shape has the softness of the traditional cushion with the rectangular elegance of an oval or emerald cut.

Emerald cut: Infusing old-world charm with modern elegance, emerald cuts, fashioned with parallel, step-like facets, exude sophistication, and suit longer fingers exceptionally well. Consider increasing the size at least 0.25ct more than your goal to achieve the same look.

Emerald Cut

The clean and crisp nature of this shape create a look more akin to ice than a brilliant cut’s sparkle. Choose high clarity over color for this gem, as the step cuts will show more internal characteristics than other shapes.

Boutique Shapes:

Pear Shape: Combining features of both oval and marquise shapes, pear diamonds offer incredible brilliance and the look of a sizable diamond. We consider this gem to be a “boutique” shape - due to it’s asymmetry, the pear has never been the #1 popular shape, however there is a strong following of pear shape collectors.

Pear Shapes

A great feature of this shape is that it has more visible surface area from the top down view, and is more shallow. This means the diamond will appear larger at the same carat size than other shapes!

(Royal) Asscher Cut: Characterized by a square shape and step-like facets, Asscher diamonds evoke an art deco feel and appeal to those desiring a vintage yet distinctive shape.

Asscher Cut

While the deep nature of this gem does make the carat weight appear more petite, this elegant look is simple and stunning. Step cut facets are not designed for brilliance, but crisp, geometric, clean lines. The beveled corners of this shape are best suited for: bezels, semi-bezels, double prongs or wide bar-style prongs.

Radiant Shape: Marrying the emerald shape with a brilliant cut facet pattern, the radiant is a combination of elegance and sparkle. Often with cut corners, this diamond is best set with wide prongs, double prongs, semi-bezel or bezel.

Radiant Shape

Choose your shape, square or rectangular. Radiant shapes are an unexpected combination of a familiar silhouette with a twist.

Trillion/Trilliant: A trilliant is a triangle with straight edges, and a trillion is a triangle with curved edges. These gems are newer diamond shapes, originating in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

Trillion Shape

Triangle shaped diamonds do tend to look larger then their same carat weight counterparts due to their shallow nature. Note, while the triangles often lack brilliance, their geometrical stylized nature is an unexpended and modern statement. The corners of the gem are best suited for settings with v-style prongs.

It's our pleasure to assist you on this meaningful journey of finding your perfect engagement ring. Thank you for choosing us as your guide to the perfect diamond!