When you’re choosing an engagement ring, the shape of the hero diamond is one of your key decisions. Round brilliant, elegant emerald cut or romantic heart shape, it will have a significant impact on the overall aesthetic of your engagement ring. In this guide, we’ll explore the most popular diamond shapes and cuts to help you choose the one that tells your story.
What are engagement ring shapes?
Engagement ring shapes refer to the outline, or silhouette, of the hero diamond when viewed from above. The classic round brilliant is the most popular diamond shape for engagement rings, but diamonds come in a variety of different shapes, including marquise, pear and heart, as well as squares and rectangles. Every shape apart from round is known as a fancy shape.
What are engagement ring cuts?
Within some of these basic outlines, or shapes, you might find different cuts. The cut of a diamond describes the shape and arrangement of its facets, which have an impact on how it interacts with light. Brilliant cut diamonds have triangular or kite-shaped facets to maximise sparkle, while step cut diamonds have rectangular facets for elegant flashes of light.
Popular engagement ring shapes
There are a number of different engagement ring shapes, each with its own characteristics and unique charm. Which one will capture your heart?
Round shape
The round brilliant is considered the classic diamond shape. Round diamond engagement rings have long been the most popular shape, and their popularity shows no sign of waning. As the name might suggest, the round brilliant owes its enduring popularity to its brilliance – with 57-58 facets, it’s cut for maximum sparkle. It’s also the most versatile of all the diamond shapes, with a symmetrical outline that works well with most engagement ring designs.
Princess shape
If you love the brilliance of a round diamond but are seeking something a little different, a princess cut diamond is a contemporary alternative. Sharp and angular, a princess cut diamond has brilliant cut facets so it delivers nearly as much sparkle as a round diamond. Its symmetrical square shape, meanwhile, goes well with a variety of different settings, so you’ll find princess cut diamond rings in a broad range of styles.
Cushion shape
Looking for a diamond shape with plenty of vintage charm? Cushion cut diamond engagement rings have been popular for centuries thanks to their softened square shape with rounded corners, giving them a pillow-like appearance. The fact that cushion cut diamonds look particularly beautiful in candlelight only adds to their romantic appeal.
Emerald shape
An emerald cut diamond has an elongated rectangular shape and step cut facets that create an intriguing ‘hall of mirrors’ effect. Emerald cut diamonds have a large table (the facet at the top) that lets you see right into the heart of the stone, showcasing its clarity. If you love vintage style and understated elegance, emerald cut engagement rings are the perfect choice.
Pear shape
With brilliant cut facets, pear-shaped diamonds combine the sparkle of a round diamond with a distinctive teardrop silhouette that’s full of romance. While there’s no ‘correct’ way to wear a pear-shaped diamond, it will elongate the finger if you have the tip facing up. Pear-shaped diamond engagement rings are ideal for couples seeking a distinctive look with lots of sparkle.
Oval shape
Oval diamonds have been growing in popularity, and it’s no wonder: this elongated shape not only delivers exceptional sparkle but also appears larger than a round diamond of the same carat weight. With an elegant silhouette that elongates the finger, oval engagement rings are ideal for modern romantics.
Radiant shape
The radiant cut combines a square or rectangular outline with the brilliant facets of a round diamond to deliver excellent sparkle. This diamond shape has bevelled corners to create a geometric octagonal silhouette for a uniquely modern feel. Invented in 1977, radiant cut engagement rings are a contemporary choice.
Asscher shape
First introduced in 1902, an Asscher cut diamond has a square silhouette with clipped corners. Like the emerald cut, this diamond shape has step cut facets to offer depth, understated sparkle and emphasise the clarity of the stone. Asscher cut diamond engagement rings have a vintage, Art Deco-inspired appeal that’s still sought after today.
Marquise shape
With an elongated silhouette that tapers to a point at each end, a marquise-shaped diamond will look bigger than a round diamond of the same carat weight, giving the illusion of a larger stone. Named after the Marquise de Pompadour, a mistress of King Louis XV of France, marquise-shaped engagement rings are a romantic choice with a royal history.
Heart shape
For centuries, the heart shape has been a symbol of love and romance, making heart-shaped diamond engagement rings a natural choice for couples embarking on a life together. This beautiful shape requires precision cutting to maintain its symmetry, and should have a carat weight of at least 0.50 carats to create a defined shape.
Baguette shape
Baguette diamonds have a rectangular outline and step cut facets. While they offer less brilliance compared to some of the other diamond shapes, baguette diamonds have a sleek, elegant appearance that works well in vintage-style rings. Baguette engagement rings tend to use these geometric diamonds as side stones, amplifying the sparkle of the centre stone.
Choosing the right cut and shape for your engagement ring
With so many different engagement ring shapes available, how do you know which one is right for you? Here’s what to consider.
Consider your personal style
Think about the engagement ring cuts that chime with your, or your partner’s, personal style. If you lean towards the classics, consider a timeless round brilliant. Angular options such as the princess cut are perfect for a modern wardrobe, while cushion cut diamonds will appeal to vintage lovers. And if you’re looking for engagement ring shapes with a difference, take a look at marquise or oval diamonds.
Think about lifestyle and practicality
While aesthetics are important, it’s also worth considering your lifestyle. Diamond shapes with pointed tips will be more prone to snagging or chipping, so if you have an active lifestyle you might prefer a rounded diamond – or one with cropped corners – to a marquise, princess cut or pear shape.
Final Thoughts
Engagement ring diamond shapes have a big impact on the overall aesthetic of your ring – from the way its facets interact with light to the outline of the diamond when seen from above. Ultimately, it’s about finding a shape you love, and one that fits in with your personal style and day-to-day life. Modern, vintage or classic, there’s a diamond shape for everyone. Explore our engagement rings to find the one for you.
By Rebecca Bodger
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When you’re choosing an engagement ring, the shape of the hero diamond is one of your key decisions. Round brilliant, elegant emerald cut or romantic heart shape, it will have a significant impact on the overall aesthetic of your engagement ring. In this guide, we’ll explore the most popular diamond shapes and cuts to help you choose the one that tells your story.
What are engagement ring shapes?
Engagement ring shapes refer to the outline, or silhouette, of the hero diamond when viewed from above. The classic round brilliant is the most popular diamond shape for engagement rings, but diamonds come in a variety of different shapes, including marquise, pear and heart, as well as squares and rectangles. Every shape apart from round is known as a fancy shape.
What are engagement ring cuts?
Within some of these basic outlines, or shapes, you might find different cuts. The cut of a diamond describes the shape and arrangement of its facets, which have an impact on how it interacts with light. Brilliant cut diamonds have triangular or kite-shaped facets to maximise sparkle, while step cut diamonds have rectangular facets for elegant flashes of light.
Popular engagement ring shapes
There are a number of different engagement ring shapes, each with its own characteristics and unique charm. Which one will capture your heart?
Round shape
The round brilliant is considered the classic diamond shape. Round diamond engagement rings have long been the most popular shape, and their popularity shows no sign of waning. As the name might suggest, the round brilliant owes its enduring popularity to its brilliance – with 57-58 facets, it’s cut for maximum sparkle. It’s also the most versatile of all the diamond shapes, with a symmetrical outline that works well with most engagement ring designs.
Princess shape
If you love the brilliance of a round diamond but are seeking something a little different, a princess cut diamond is a contemporary alternative. Sharp and angular, a princess cut diamond has brilliant cut facets so it delivers nearly as much sparkle as a round diamond. Its symmetrical square shape, meanwhile, goes well with a variety of different settings, so you’ll find princess cut diamond rings in a broad range of styles.
Cushion shape
Looking for a diamond shape with plenty of vintage charm? Cushion cut diamond engagement rings have been popular for centuries thanks to their softened square shape with rounded corners, giving them a pillow-like appearance. The fact that cushion cut diamonds look particularly beautiful in candlelight only adds to their romantic appeal.
Emerald shape
An emerald cut diamond has an elongated rectangular shape and step cut facets that create an intriguing ‘hall of mirrors’ effect. Emerald cut diamonds have a large table (the facet at the top) that lets you see right into the heart of the stone, showcasing its clarity. If you love vintage style and understated elegance, emerald cut engagement rings are the perfect choice.
Pear shape
With brilliant cut facets, pear-shaped diamonds combine the sparkle of a round diamond with a distinctive teardrop silhouette that’s full of romance. While there’s no ‘correct’ way to wear a pear-shaped diamond, it will elongate the finger if you have the tip facing up. Pear-shaped diamond engagement rings are ideal for couples seeking a distinctive look with lots of sparkle.
Oval shape
Oval diamonds have been growing in popularity, and it’s no wonder: this elongated shape not only delivers exceptional sparkle but also appears larger than a round diamond of the same carat weight. With an elegant silhouette that elongates the finger, oval engagement rings are ideal for modern romantics.
Radiant shape
The radiant cut combines a square or rectangular outline with the brilliant facets of a round diamond to deliver excellent sparkle. This diamond shape has bevelled corners to create a geometric octagonal silhouette for a uniquely modern feel. Invented in 1977, radiant cut engagement rings are a contemporary choice.
Asscher shape
First introduced in 1902, an Asscher cut diamond has a square silhouette with clipped corners. Like the emerald cut, this diamond shape has step cut facets to offer depth, understated sparkle and emphasise the clarity of the stone. Asscher cut diamond engagement rings have a vintage, Art Deco-inspired appeal that’s still sought after today.
Marquise shape
With an elongated silhouette that tapers to a point at each end, a marquise-shaped diamond will look bigger than a round diamond of the same carat weight, giving the illusion of a larger stone. Named after the Marquise de Pompadour, a mistress of King Louis XV of France, marquise-shaped engagement rings are a romantic choice with a royal history.
Heart shape
For centuries, the heart shape has been a symbol of love and romance, making heart-shaped diamond engagement rings a natural choice for couples embarking on a life together. This beautiful shape requires precision cutting to maintain its symmetry, and should have a carat weight of at least 0.50 carats to create a defined shape.
Baguette shape
Baguette diamonds have a rectangular outline and step cut facets. While they offer less brilliance compared to some of the other diamond shapes, baguette diamonds have a sleek, elegant appearance that works well in vintage-style rings. Baguette engagement rings tend to use these geometric diamonds as side stones, amplifying the sparkle of the centre stone.
Choosing the right cut and shape for your engagement ring
With so many different engagement ring shapes available, how do you know which one is right for you? Here’s what to consider.
Consider your personal style
Think about the engagement ring cuts that chime with your, or your partner’s, personal style. If you lean towards the classics, consider a timeless round brilliant. Angular options such as the princess cut are perfect for a modern wardrobe, while cushion cut diamonds will appeal to vintage lovers. And if you’re looking for engagement ring shapes with a difference, take a look at marquise or oval diamonds.
Think about lifestyle and practicality
While aesthetics are important, it’s also worth considering your lifestyle. Diamond shapes with pointed tips will be more prone to snagging or chipping, so if you have an active lifestyle you might prefer a rounded diamond – or one with cropped corners – to a marquise, princess cut or pear shape.
Final Thoughts
Engagement ring diamond shapes have a big impact on the overall aesthetic of your ring – from the way its facets interact with light to the outline of the diamond when seen from above. Ultimately, it’s about finding a shape you love, and one that fits in with your personal style and day-to-day life. Modern, vintage or classic, there’s a diamond shape for everyone. Explore our engagement rings to find the one for you.