Everything You Need to Know About Diamond Shapes

Diamonds have captivated us for centuries with their fiery brilliance and mesmerizing sparkle. But beyond their inherent beauty lies the art of selecting the perfect shape to complement your style.  

Understanding diamond shapes is crucial for selecting the perfect diamond, whether for your dream ring or a cherished piece of jewelry.   

This guide will unveil the most popular diamond shapes, empowering you to choose a piece that reflects not just exceptional sparkle, but your unique style.

What are Diamond Shapes?  

The diamond shape is all about the overall look. Round, pear, ovals – these terms describe the geometric outline of the diamond.  

Each shape comes with its own unique features, influencing not only its visual appeal but also its light performance and overall brilliance. Here’s what makes each shape so special: 

• Light & Brilliance: Round cuts, for example, are renowned for their exceptional ability to capture and reflect light, resulting in a dazzling display of brilliance. Emerald cuts, with their hall-of-mirrors effect, showcase a captivating play of light and shadow. 
• Flattery & Style: Shapes like oval and elongated cushions flatter fingers by creating the illusion of length, while emerald cuts showcase the diamond’s inherent clarity with a bold geometric statement. 
• Personality & Uniqueness: Choosing a diamond shape is a personal decision. Do you gravitate towards the timeless elegance of a round cut or the romantic allure of a heart shape? Each shape reflects a different personality and style, allowing you to express your individuality.

In essence, diamond shapes are more than just aesthetics. They offer a world of possibilities to personalize your jewelry and find a piece that reflects your unique story and style.

Popular Types of Diamond Shapes

Let’s explore some of the most beautiful diamond shapes often used in engagement rings, wedding bands and other fine jewelry items.

1. Round Brilliant Cut 

With its symmetrical cut and outstanding brilliance, round cut is the most popular diamond shape for engagement rings. This classic choice is perfect for brides who love a timeless and universally flattering look.

Round brilliant engagement ring with pave diamond basket and wide cut-down pave band

2.Oval Cut 

Oval shape diamonds offer a flattering twist to classic round cuts. This elegant shape creates the illusion of longer fingers and adds a touch of individuality and is a popular engagement ring choice for brides in 2024.

Oval solitaire set on a slim pave diamond band in Platinum  

3.Pear Cut 

Resembling a teardrop shape, this unique style is known for its exceptional brilliance and fire, concentrated at the pointed end. Its elongated shape has a slimming effect on the finger. 

Pear cuts are trending in 2024, as more and more brides choose this shape as an option for engagement rings.

Pear shape diamond engagement ring with a tapered three row micro pave band 

4.Cushion Cut 

This vintage-inspired style features a softened square or rectangular shape with rounded corners. With perfect proportions, large facets and soft lines, cushion cuts offer exceptional sparkle and a vintage flair.  

Elongated cushions are a trendy shape right now. Just like with ovals, clients love the sparkle and the elongated look on the finger.

Cushion-cut set in a pave diamond halo and band, in Platinum 

5.Emerald Cut 

This distinctive shape captures the glamour and sophistication of Art Deco, featuring large, step-cut facets that showcase the diamond’s clarity and inner beauty. It’s a perfect option for brides who love bold shapes with a modern feel.  

Emeralds are a trendy choice for New York brides, from solitaires to three stone engagement rings and side stone baguettes.

Emerald eternity band featuring a low, tapered and open profile 

6.Asscher Cut 

With their square shape and cropped corners, Asscher cuts bring the perfect balance between vintage and modern, for a bridal look that’s both classic and contemporary.

Asscher cut engagement ring with custom-cut baguette halo and band in Platinum 

7.Marquise Cut 

Nothing spells royal elegance quite like marquise cut diamonds. Their elongated shape complements the natural lines of your finger, offering a flattering look.

Floral eternity band with marquise and round diamonds 

8. Radiant Cut 

Radiant shapes combine the brilliance of a round cut with the geometric appeal of an emerald cut. It features excellent sparkle and fire and is an excellent choice for brides looking for a modern, sophisticated engagement ring or wedding band.

Common prong eternity band featuring radiant diamonds  

9. Heart Cut 

Heart-shaped diamonds are a romantic and unique choice for brides who appreciate statement pieces. This unconventionally shaped diamond is the perfect symbol of your love and is a beautiful option for wedding bands.

Wedding band with heart shaped diamonds in a modern bezel setting

How to Choose the Best Diamond Shape 

We believe each bride has her own unique style, so when it comes to diamond shopping, there isn’t one-size-fits-all.

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO DIAMOND WEDDING BANDS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING YOUR DREAM RING 

Whether you’re buying an engagement ring or a wedding band, you can consider these aspects to help you decide:

1. Consider Your Finger Shape 

Elongated shapes like marquise, oval and pear can create the illusion of length for shorter fingers, while long fingers are beautifully complemented by round and more square cushion cuts.  

2. Think About Your Style Essence 

Would you define your style as classic and timeless? Then round, emerald or oval  shapes might be the best choice for you. For vintage lovers, shapes like marquise and pear are excellent options.  

3. Prioritize Cut Quality 

Regardless of shape, a well-cut diamond will always outperform a poorly cut one in sparkle and brilliance. Our team of experts at Verstolo will guide you here! 

4. Consider Ring Settings 

Your diamond’s dazzling potential isn’t just about the shape! The setting plays a vital role. Bezel settings offer a sleek, modern look, perfect for square shapes like emerald cuts, while prong settings maximize brilliance for round or oval shapes. 

Style matters too! A classic solitaire setting is timeless, while a three-stone ring offers a full finger coverage and is loved by many! Two-tone settings are trending right now given the popularity of yellow gold. We love to see a solitaire in a platinum basket with a yellow gold band. The platinum basket allows for the white metal to reflect into the diamond while still having an overall yellow gold look. 

5. Try It On 

Ultimately, the best way to discover the right shape for you is to try them on. Observe how the light interacts with each shape and how it flatters your hand. Let your heart (and eyes!) guide you towards the shape that makes you feel most radiant. 

At Verstolo, our experts are here to help you find your dream diamond. During our consultation, we’ll discuss your priorities, personal style, and budget so we can offer you a curated selection of diamonds that best reflects your needs and preferences.  

Verstolo – Where Superior Quality and Exceptional Craftsmanship Meet

As fourth generation diamantaires, we know how important it is to treat diamonds with the utmost care and respect. 

With every diamond, a special love story unfolds. Each of our diamonds is carefully cut and polished by hand to provide maximum brilliance and sparkle, creating exceptional pieces of fine jewelry for an everlasting love. 

Discover the uniqueness and quality of masterfully handcrafted diamonds and find the one that makes your heart shine with Verstolo Fine Jewelry.