We all know that the thought of buying a diamond causes grown men to break into a sweat–and with good cause! There are so many things to factor into buying a diamond, let along choosing the design of an engagement ring. We’ll try to make it easier for you to pick the shape. It’s one of the first things a woman thinks about in terms of preference when dreaming of her ideal ring.
With the help of the stunning Harry Winston and Tacori photography, let’s get started with a visual guide to learning the shapes and cuts of diamonds:
The Most Popular for Engagement Rings? The Round Brilliant Cut
The round brilliant cut is by far the most popular shape and cut for diamonds. In fact, it is chosen more than half the time for brides to be. It boasts the most facets (nearly 60) which help with the sparkle and fire of the diamond. Another bonus is that the famous “Hearts of Fire” diamond cut is only available in round form. With so many women choosing round diamonds, it’s no wonder there are so many more settings to choose from when you go this route.
Second Most Popular Cut for Engagement Rings: The Princess Cut
After the popular round brilliant cut, the princess comes in as a close second for many women’s choice in engagement rings. The princess cut is a square version of the round brilliant cut and boasts the most sparkle in the category of square or rectangular shaped diamonds.
Marquise Cut Engagement Rings
Considered a fancy diamond cut, the marquise is essentially an oval cut diamond with a point on each end. There is tradition about it being a cut a King in Europe designed for his Queen, and people have taken on the tradition of this being one of the most romantic cuts.
Oval Cut Engagement Rings
A twist on the popular round brilliant cut, the oval cut is a stunning and elegant option for those wanting something a little different but not too out of the norm. Jewelry stores are increasingly offering oval cut rings and set with micropave details, it makes for an absolute stunner!
Asscher Cut Engagement Rings
With a twist on the typical, the asscher cut (also known as The Royal Asscher cut) is a fantastic alternative to a princess cut diamond. It’s a mix between the emerald cut and the princess, with beautiful steps creating a mesmerizing effect.
Pear Cut Engagement Rings: Shaking up the Marquise Cut
Similar to the marquise cut, the pear shape displays dramatic design and a point at the tip to draw attention from top to bottom. It’s a great way to elongate short, thicker fingers and look elegant at the same time.
Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
True to their antique heritage, cushion cut stones are coming back in full force with the resurgence of the vintage style. It gets its name from a pillow cushion, and when you look at it you can see exactly what we mean:
Emerald Engagement Rings
A longer, sleeker version of the Assher cut, emerald cut diamonds evoke elegance and class. Because of the step cut can show flaws easier than other cuts with more facets, it is critical to get a higher grade diamond.
Heart Engagement Rings
For the romantics, this cut evokes everything about love. It’s a reasonably rare cut, still, due to the expense of cutting out precious diamond in the top of the stone to provide the heart shape. Most often heart shaped engagement rings are found in solitaires or with side stones:
