The Different Shapes of Diamonds

Diamonds come in different shapes and can look quite different from each other. In this topic we find out about all the shapes and how they affect their appearances.

Round Cut / Brilliant Cut

This is the most commonly found cut type of diamond. As the name suggests the diamond looks round around its girdle in this cut. This is very famous because due to the cut mechanics the diamond shines or glitters more than any other cut. Since this is round the potential light entry and exit points are infinite hence maximizes the brightness. This is the most common shape for an engagement ring diamond as both user and jeweller prefer this shape. The jewellers like this shape the most since it is easy to incorporate a round stone in the design of jewellery.

Princess Cut

This is believed to be first created in the year 1980 and is the most popular fancy diamonds shapes. This is also used in engagement rings second only to the brilliant cut shape. This is a shape which can be easily used in rings and is the second most popular for rings after the round shape.

Oval Cut

This is a shape which is almost equally brilliant to the round diamond. However, the benefit in oval diamonds is that it can give an illusion of bigger size which the round diamond does not give.

Marquise Cut

This shape is like the ball of Rugby game and again has good brilliance. This shape has the maximum surface area in any diamond shape. This diamond often seems bigger than its actual size.

Pear Cut

The pear shape is as the name suggests like a pear and has a tapered point at one end. The pear shaped diamond is difficult to create as this shape should have very good symmetry. The pointed end should like perfectly with the apex of the rounded end. The curve from the apex to the pointed end should be uniform.

Cushion Cut

This is a square type of shape with round edges which looks like a pillow. This shape was the most popular a few centuries ago but now the round diamond is most popular. The advancements in cutting techniques have also resulted in recent gain in popularity.

Emerald Cut

The emerald cut diamond is called so because it is cut into a shape which is like how an emerald is cut. The emerald cut has a large open table top and has step cuts in its pavilion. This cut does not shine a lot but has a mirror effect mixing with light and dark planes.

Heart Shaped Cut

This is a unique shape and rather than brilliance of diamond or shine it focuses on the significance of its shape. This shape is popular in solitaire pendants and rings. One thing to remember is that for using this shape the diamond must be at least 0.50 carats or more otherwise it is difficult to perceive the shape.