There are several popular shapes a diamond can be cut into. They come in many variations, but perhaps the rarest feature you can choose is the color. Most diamonds are white, but occasionally, you come across a green diamond, usually in a museum.
Diamonds can also be pink, brown, or red, which comes from a unique combination of pressure and heat during formation, yellow or orange from the interference of nitrogen, purple from the interference of hydrogen, and blue from the presence of the element Boron.
Possibly one of the best ways to showcase style and personality is through the cut of the diamond. It can say you are an elegant, die-hard romantic, or that you are daring and love a good twist. We will look in depth at each cut to decide which best portray you.
Comparison Table
[amazon box=”B01JAV2QW4,B006A06G2K,B0188BXBK8,B018AERIU2,B07BFKB11R,B014ZMVEQ2,B076YRM265,B06XY9DGTC,B00NT1GNAI,B01J6IUSFS ” template=”table”]
Product FAQS
What Are Diamond Shapes
The diamond shape refers to the appearance of the stone, and the cut to the diamond’s ability to reflect light.
What to Look For?
When purchasing a diamond, look for the “Four Cs” determining quality. These are color, cut, carat, and clarity. Depending on the lady the diamond is for, she may prefer a tinted diamond over a colorless, or a smaller carat weight. We will look at the characteristics of each cut later in the article.
What Are the Quality Ranges for Diamonds?
There are many factors for grading diamonds, the varying colors found within the stone, the carat, or weight, of the gem, the way it has been cut, and the clarity. Clarity is based on the following chart:
- Flawless, Internally Flawless (F, IF) – no imperfections, very rare
- Very, Very Slightly Included (VVS1, VVS2) – imperfections are barely seen under a microscope, excellent quality
- Very Slightly Included (VS1, VS2) – imperfections cannot be seen with the naked eye, less expensive than VVS1 and VVS2
- Slightly Included (SI1, SI2 – imperfections may be seen with the naked eye, good value
- Included (I1, I2, I3) – imperfections visible to the naked eye, can make the stone look “oily,” not recommended
Where Can You Buy a Diamond?
Diamonds can be purchased from almost anywhere, from online websites to fine jewelry stores and local pawn shops. What you are looking for will determine where you should purchase your diamond from.
Price Range
Diamonds can be purchased from almost anywhere, from online websites to fine jewelry stores and local pawn shops. What you are looking for will determine where you should purchase your diamond from.
How We Reviewed
To come up with this list of the 10 most popular diamond shapes, we thoroughly researched and reviewed several popular cuts. We scoured through dozens of customer reviews online and took into consideration the input of experts in the industry. The following products were reviewed based on the parameters of features, pros and cons, price, and where they can be purchased.
Overall Price Range of Diamonds
Diamonds are priced based on several factors, not the least of which is carat weight. There are clear-cut pricing tiers regarding the weight of diamonds. These tiers are 0.50 carats, 1.00 carats, 2.00 carats, and 5.00 carats. The significance is astounding. A diamond weighing 4.90 carats is 15% to 20% less expensive than a diamond of the same cut, clarity, and color weight 5.00 carats. Similarly, a 1.00-carat diamond is 15 to 20% more expensive than a 0.90-carat diamond. Besides weight, a diamond with a higher price tag typically indicates better clarity or color; or a more popular cut.
What We Reviewed
- Princess Cut
- Round Cut
- Emerald Cut
- Oval Cut
- Marquise Cut
- Pear Cut
- Asscher Cut
- Radiant Cut
- Heart-Shaped Cut
[amazon link=”B01JAV2QW4″ title=”Princess Cut” /]
[amazon box=”B01JAV2QW4″]
Features
The princess cut diamond is a contemporary square design with 49 facets. The clean lines display an intense sparkle that makes people notice. It has been popular in recent years for its blazing sparkle and versatility in a variety of settings. These diamond shapes are perfect for the voguish girl who likes to display her feminine side.
Price
You can purchase a princess cut diamond shapes stud for your earrings for around $.
Pros
- Can hide flaws easily
- Save money without losing beauty
- Complements numerous settings
Cons
- Sharp corners are more likely to chip
- Does not work well with a “hands-on” lifestyle or vocation
- Does not work well with a “hands-on” lifestyle or vocation
[amazon link=”B006A06G2K” title=”Round Cut” /]
[amazon box=”B006A06G2K”]
Features
The timeless round cut diamond has been many a woman’s dream. Often, when people think of a diamond, their mind’s eye pictures a round cut. With its 58 facets of exquisite brilliance and the capacity to conform to numerous settings and styles, the round cut is the type of diamond for the elegant lady with a love for the traditional.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$$.
Pros
- Most popular cut throughout the years
- The sparkle can hide tints or flaws
Cons
- May look smaller in comparison to other cuts of the same carat weight
- One of the more expensive diamond cuts
[amazon link=”B0188BXBK8″ title=”Cushion Cut” /]
[amazon box=”B0188BXBK8″]
Features
Also known as the “pillow-cut” diamond, cushion cuts are diamond shapes cut into a square shape, but with rounded edges. They are known for their soft, vintage look that can fit a variety of settings, like the cuts mentioned above. It is perfect for women who want a classic feel with a contemporary twist.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$$$ to $$$$.
Pros
- One of the least expensive cuts
- Merges the styles of the round and princess
- Not as prevalent as the round cut
- Less rigid than a square cut
Cons
- Can be cut crudely
- Not known for their brilliance
[amazon link=”B018AERIU2″ title=”Emerald Cut” /]
[amazon box=”B018AERIU2″]
Features
Anyone looking for truly unique diamond shapes should consider an emerald cut. It is a step-cut rectangle with long facets that give off striking bursts of light. It is categorized as a refined diamond with an Old World allure. With this type of cut, you can see right through the stone, like gazing into the bottom of a still pool. This diamond is for those who appreciate the vintage style, and who prefer luster over sparkle.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$$$.
Pros
- Makes a truly unique engagement ring
- ProsThe least expensive of all the cuts
Cons
- Any imperfection can be seen
- If the cut is lacking, there will be “blackouts” in the stone
- It is best to see this diamond in person before buying
[amazon link=”B07BFKB11R” title=”Oval Cut” /]
[amazon box=”B07BFKB11R”]
Features
Features the beauty of the oval cut is that possesses all the standards of a round cut, but with a unique spin. The longer shape seems larger than a round cut, while remaining easily paired in various surroundings. This is for the woman who is classy and understated but still wants a statement.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$$$.
Pros
- Less expensive for a larger carat
- Compliments the slenderness of a woman’s hand
- The brilliance that is on par with around
Cons
- Similar to the emerald, certain cutting will create blackout spots in your stone
- Better to buy online (with pictures from every angle) or in person
[amazon link=”B014ZMVEQ2″ title=”Marquise Cut” /]
[amazon box=”B014ZMVEQ2″]
Features
The marquise cut, said to be named after the smile of Marquise de Pompadour, enhances the carat weight with its elongated shape. It has gained popularity among celebrities and is known for giving a dainty and slender appearance to a woman’s hands. This cut is guaranteed to impress the lady who is not afraid to make a statement while maintaining a feminine essence.
Price
You can purchase this product on Amazon for around $$$$.
Pros
- Creates a shapely image on a woman’s fingers
- Rarest of all the cuts
- Largest surface area
- Makes the most impact with a smaller carat weight
Cons
- The pointed tips can be fragile and easily damaged.
- Best to buy after viewing all angles to avoid “blackouts”
- May look better with high-quality diamonds
- The ends trap more color
[amazon link=”B076YRM265″ title=”Pear Cut” /]
[amazon box=”B076YRM265″]
Features
The adorable pear cut was created with ideas of a round cut in mind, to give off the largest amount of brilliance possible. This diamond is a marriage of a round cut and a marquise cut, with a delicate teardrop shape that looks best in a halo setting. Some of the world’s largest and most famous diamonds have been shaped into a pear, such as the Star of Africa and the Millennium Star. A woman who exudes originality with a sweet, dainty side will love a diamond with this cut.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$$ to $$$$ depending on the metal and color of the band. You can purchase a 0.50-carat weight, the pear cut white diamond on Amazon with a pronged setting for a reasonable price. While the standard range found online is $$$ – $$$$.
Pros
- Creates an elegant image on the hand
- The brilliance of a round with the larger surface area of a marquise
Cons
- The delicate tip needs to be protected
- Susceptible to the “blackout” effect
- Can trap colors and tints, especially at the pointed end
[amazon link=”B06XY9DGTC” title=”Asscher Cut” /]
[amazon box=”B06XY9DGTC”]
Features
For a dramatic diamond with a modern take on the emerald cut, the Asscher cut rises to the top with a visible X pattern in the step cut. At first, this shape had 58 facets, but it has been updated to 74 facets for an extra punch of sparkle. It has become incredibly popular with celebrities and would make an awe-inspiring ring for anyone wanting to keep up with the trends while keeping a vintage feel.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$$ – $$$.
Pros
- Similar to an emerald cut, but with added flash
- Truly unique look that makes an impact
Cons
- Tints and imperfections can be noticeable
- One of the highest-priced cuts
- Small surface area
[amazon link=”B00NT1GNAI” title=”Radiant Cut” /]
[amazon box=”B00NT1GNAI”]
Features
The Radiant is a combination of two diamond shapes. An emerald cut and a round cut are combined to create a separate look in a radiant cut diamond. The hard edges of a rectangle are rounded off, and the best brilliance comes from a diamond with a deeper base. Giving off a complex and exciting vibe, the radiant cut accentuates the woman with a fearless attitude and a meaningful glow.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $$$ – $$$$.
Pros
- Softer edges than an emerald or a princess
- More sparkle than an emerald or an Asscher
- Better for women who are more likely to use their hands
Cons
- More expensive than other cuts
- Loses more of the raw diamond during cutting
[amazon link=”B01J6IUSFS” title=”Heart-Shaped Cut” /]
[amazon box=”B01J6IUSFS”]
Features
Last but not least, the cut for the person who lives for romance: the heart. This beautiful shape is best displayed in a solitaire setting where its lines can be easily shown off. The woman who knows exactly what she wants and loves the sentimentality of the perfect symbol of love will thrive with this cut.
Price
This product can be found on Amazon for around $.
Pros
- Incredibly unique cut that wows on its own
- Looks incredible in colored stones
Cons
- Needs to be a larger size so as not to lose the shape of the heart
- Requires specific ratios to look perfect
- Might need a customized setting
Diamond Shapes – The Verdict
Because of the vast selection of diamond shapes, choosing the best one really comes down to what you are looking for and who you are buying for. Do you want to make an impact, or would you rather go with tradition? Are you looking for brilliance and sparkle, or luster and shine? Are you more concerned with the quality of the diamond, the color, or the size?
The combinations are endless when choosing your diamond shapes. Use the advice and information given, consult your budget, and go with your gut.
