Diamond Shapes
Round, oval, princess, emerald, pear and other popular shapes explained.
Shape Changes the Character of a Ring
Diamond shape is the outline and faceting style you see when viewing a stone face-up. It affects visual size, sparkle pattern, setting options and the overall style of a piece.
Popular Shapes
Popular diamond shapes. This diagram is illustrative rather than to scale.
- Asscher - square step-cut appearance
- Cushion - soft square/rectangular outline
- Emerald cut - step facets and a hall-of-mirrors appearance
- Heart - symbolic outline requiring careful symmetry
- Marquise - elongated pointed shape
- Oval - elongated appearance that can give strong finger coverage
- Pear - combines rounded and pointed elements
- Princess - square outline with brilliant-style faceting
- Radiant - cut corners with brilliant-style sparkle
- Round brilliant - classic and highly researched for light performance
Shape Is Not Cut Grade
“Cut” can mean the general cutting style in ordinary conversation, but within the 4Cs, cut quality is not simply the same as shape. A diamond can be oval-shaped yet still have proportions that are more or less attractive to a particular buyer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is best for an engagement ring?
There is no universal best shape – choose the appearance you prefer and a setting that protects the stone appropriately.
Which shape looks biggest?
Elongated shapes can sometimes give more visible finger coverage for a given carat weight, but dimensions and proportions matter.
Which shape sparkles most?
Round brilliant is designed for strong brilliance, but other shapes can also be lively when well proportioned.
Ask Gold Factory If you would like help applying any of this information to a real piece of jewellery, visit us at 294 Farnham Road, Slough, SL1 4XL, call 01753 536800 or contact us through www.goldfactory.co.uk. Jewellery can vary, so our team can explain the options for the actual item you are considering. |
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