Diamond Shapes

The terms "shape" and "cut" are frequently confused. The shape is the geometrical form of the diamond, such as round, pear, or princess. Cut refers to the precise angles and alignment of the facets and the way they affect the beauty and brilliance of the polished stone.

Only the masterful skill of the diamond cutter can attempt the transformation that the raw diamond crystal goes through. From raw material to incredible and unique - by the diamond cutter's art these crystals are carved into gems of spectacular and whimsical beauty. A cutter's skill will produce a diamond of the greatest size with the fewest flaws and the most brilliance.

The most traditional or classic diamond shape is, to most people, the round brilliant diamond. This is the choice of many and the first image when diamonds and diamond rings come to mind. The traditional round brilliant diamond, though the most popular diamond shape of all, is hardly the whole story.

Here is a list of the 10 most common Diamond Shapes:

Round Brilliant - This shape has set the standard for all diamond shapes. Accounting for over 75% of the diamonds sold today. The Round Brilliant is designed to give maximum scintillation, brilliance and fire. It comprises 58-facets, which are divided among its crown (top), girdle (widest part) and pavilion (base).
Do not confuse with round. The round brilliant is the modern version of the round, which has been refined for maximum shine. The round brilliant is by far the most popular and has the best angles for which to shine maximum brilliance as the cut follows more naturally the rough diamond crystal shape.

Oval – This shape is a symmetrical design, which is even and appeals to many small handed women as it seemingly elongating hands and fingers. Popular as a 3 stone ring with 2 smaller diamonds on each side

Marquise - This shape is elongated with pointed ends. The ideal ratio of length to width should be about twice the length as the stone is wide. (2:1 aspect ratio) In this shape is is important that the cut isn’t too shallow, as if the stone is flat and wide is will have the same optical effects problems as a markedly less bright and beautiful stone.
The Marquise shape was inspired by the smile of the Marquise de Pompadour, which was then commissioned by France's King Louis XIV, who wanted a diamond to match it. It is beautiful as a solitaire or when matched with smaller complimentary diamonds.

Pear - This shape, which looks like a sparkling teardrop, combines the best between the oval and marquise shapes. It beautifully compliments the average size hand and fingers and it’s perfect for pendants and drop earrings.

Heart – This romantic cut is a pear shaped diamond with a cleft on the top. The extraordinary skill of the cutter determines the beauty of this cut. Look for a stone with even lobes and a well-defined outline. The heart shape may be hard to find due to a lower demand, but it is considered the most sentimental of all the diamond shapes.

Emerald - This shape is rectangular with cut corners and is known as a step cut because its concentric broad, flat planes resemble stair steps. Colour plays a very important role in the beauty of an Emerald cut stone. It tends to show very dramatically in this particular shape, as do inclusions, and therefore, clarity and colour should be looked at carefully when a choosing an Emerald cut stone

Princess – This is a square shape with many facets. This is a relatively new cut and is very popular in solitaire engagement rings. It is particularly attractive with longer fingers. The Princess cut requires more weight to be directed toward the diamond's depth in order to maximise brilliance. Depth percentages of 70% to 78% are not uncommon. A Princess cut diamond has refractive properties almost near round brilliant.
Today, the Princess is the preferred square cut shape over Radiant.

Trilliant - This is a stunning wedge shape, which was first developed in Amsterdam. This design can vary depending on a particular diamond's natural characteristics and the cutter's personal preferences and many of these cuts are trademarked. It may be a traditional triangular shape with pointed corners or a more soft shape with bowed sides with 25 facets on the crown, 19 facets on the pavilion, and a polished girdle

Radiant - This is a square or rectangular shape, which was more popular before the Princess shape was around. The elegance of the Emerald and the brilliance of the Brilliant round shape mark this cut. 70 facets are needed to maximise the effect of its colour refraction.
The Radiant is similar to a rectangle or square but with the corners cut off top view. It has a strong look with a unique type sparkle, differing from Emerald and Princess cuts.
Cushion Cut – This diamond shape is an antique, late 19th and early 20th style, cut and is also referred to as Pillow cut or the Candlelight diamond. Cushion cut diamonds have larger facets and rounded corners than most cuts so as to increase their sparkle under candlelight. It has remnants of the "Old Mine Cut", a deep cut with large facets.

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	Round Brilliant - This shape has set the standard for all diamond shapes. Accounting for over 75% of the diamonds sold today. The Round Brilliant is designed to give maximum scintillation, brilliance and fire. It comprises 58-facets, which are divided among its crown (top), girdle (widest part) and pavilion (base). Do not confuse with round. The round brilliant is the modern version of the round, which has been refined for maximum shine. The round brilliant is by far the most popular and has the best angles for which to shine maximum brilliance as the cut follows more naturally the rough diamond crystal shape.
	Oval – This shape is a symmetrical design, which is even and appeals to many small handed women as it seemingly elongating hands and fingers. Popular as a 3 stone ring with 2 smaller diamonds on each side
	Marquise - This shape is elongated with pointed ends. The ideal ratio of length to width should be about twice the length as the stone is wide. (2:1 aspect ratio) In this shape is is important that the cut isn’t too shallow, as if the stone is flat and wide is will have the same optical effects problems as a markedly less bright and beautiful stone. The Marquise shape was inspired by the smile of the Marquise de Pompadour, which was then commissioned by France's King Louis XIV, who wanted a diamond to match it. It is beautiful as a solitaire or when matched with smaller complimentary diamonds.
	Pear - This shape, which looks like a sparkling teardrop, combines the best between the oval and marquise shapes. It beautifully compliments the average size hand and fingers and it’s perfect for pendants and drop earrings.
	Heart – This romantic cut is a pear shaped diamond with a cleft on the top. The extraordinary skill of the cutter determines the beauty of this cut. Look for a stone with even lobes and a well-defined outline. The heart shape may be hard to find due to a lower demand, but it is considered the most sentimental of all the diamond shapes.
	Emerald - This shape is rectangular with cut corners and is known as a step cut because its concentric broad, flat planes resemble stair steps. Colour plays a very important role in the beauty of an Emerald cut stone. It tends to show very dramatically in this particular shape, as do inclusions, and therefore, clarity and colour should be looked at carefully when a choosing an Emerald cut stone
	Princess – This is a square shape with many facets. This is a relatively new cut and is very popular in solitaire engagement rings. It is particularly attractive with longer fingers. The Princess cut requires more weight to be directed toward the diamond's depth in order to maximise brilliance. Depth percentages of 70% to 78% are not uncommon. A Princess cut diamond has refractive properties almost near round brilliant. Today, the Princess is the preferred square cut shape over Radiant.
	Trilliant - This is a stunning wedge shape, which was first developed in Amsterdam. This design can vary depending on a particular diamond's natural characteristics and the cutter's personal preferences and many of these cuts are trademarked. It may be a traditional triangular shape with pointed corners or a more soft shape with bowed sides with 25 facets on the crown, 19 facets on the pavilion, and a polished girdle
	Radiant - This is a square or rectangular shape, which was more popular before the Princess shape was around. The elegance of the Emerald and the brilliance of the Brilliant round shape mark this cut. 70 facets are needed to maximise the effect of its colour refraction. The Radiant is similar to a rectangle or square but with the corners cut off top view. It has a strong look with a unique type sparkle, differing from Emerald and Princess cuts.
	Cushion Cut – This diamond shape is an antique, late 19th and early 20th style, cut and is also referred to as Pillow cut or the Candlelight diamond. Cushion cut diamonds have larger facets and rounded corners than most cuts so as to increase their sparkle under candlelight. It has remnants of the "Old Mine Cut", a deep cut with large facets.

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Diamond Shapes

Here is a list of the 10 most common Diamond Shapes:

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