Diamond Shapes

When we refer to the diamond’s shape we are referring to the outline of the diamond when viewed from the top.

Round cut diamonds are usually the most popular shapes chosen for jewelry and rings. All the other diamond shapes are referred to as fancy-cut.

Round Shape Diamond

The round cut diamond exceeds all other shapes in exuding brilliance and fire. In order to creating the brilliant round-cut it is necessary to surrender much of the stone during the cutting stage. It should be noted that more rough stone is lost cutting and polishing a round diamond than any other diamond shape.

Pear Shape Diamond

The pear cut, sometimes referred to as the drop-cut, is a fluid shape that resembles a drop of water. A pear-cut is really a combination of the brilliant round cut and marquise cut. Some of the largest diamonds ever mined have been cut into pear shapes. Some pear cuts are elongated and others are wider in appearance.

Marquise Shape Diamond

An elongated rough diamond is generally cut into the marquise shape. The marquise cut is twice as long as it is wide and has pointed ends. Legends tell us that this cut was first commissioned by Louis XIV of France, the Sun King, who was inspired by the Marquise de Pompadour’s smile. Due to this origin it is considered a royal-shape diamond. The boat-like form and pointy ends makes the marquise cut fairly difficult to produce.

Oval Shape Diamond

This diamond was introduced in the 1960s and is basically an elongated round brilliant-cut and has tremendous brilliance and fire. Both classic and elegant oval cut diamonds make the wearers fingers seem long and thin. The oval shape is longer than the equal-weight in a round diamonds which means for the same carat weight the diamond appears larger.

Princess Shape Diamond

The princess diamond is a fairly new cut of diamond and was developed in the USA in 198. The princess cut diamond is square with 90-degree angled corners. The advantage of this cut is that very little rough weight is lost in the polishing of this cut as nearly 62% of the rough stone is retained. Another advantage of this cut is that due to the polishing method inclusions (flaws) are more difficult to see in this cut than in any other square cut. The square shape of the princess cut can suit traditional, retro and contemporary settings.

Emerald Shape Diamond

The emerald cut is named so as it this cut is similar to actual emerald gemstone cut. It is generally  shorter in length than a real rectangle. This cut produces less brilliance than the other fancy cuts. The number of facets in the emerald cut varies and depends on the decision of the diamond cutter. This cut makes the inclusions very easily visible so the diamond’s clarity is of particular importance. This diamond is incredibly elegant and a classic diamond shape..

Radiant Shape Diamond

The radiant cut was developed about 20 years ago. It is a stunning shape which combines the sparkle of a round cut with the elegance of the emerald cut. The radiant cut is usually square or at least nearly square. The diamond is comprised of 70 facets which is actually more facets than the round brilliant cut and the additional facets give this diamond a incredible brilliance. The radiant cut is very often used for fancy color diamonds, as the shape brings out the natural color of the diamond.

Asscher, Trilliant or Triangular Shape Diamond

The trilliant or Asscher cut was developed in 1902. These diamonds are square or rectangular with angled corners. The effect of the cut is similar to a hallway of reflecting mirrors which means they have an amazing brilliance. The classic shape and beautiful sparkle have made these diamonds extremely popular.

Heart Shape Diamond

The heart shape diamond is in fact a pear cut diamond with 2 rounded edges instead of the pear shapes 1 rounded edge. This cut is very challenging and it should be noted that color may be slightly visible on the corners. It is advisable to choose a setting that will protect the point.

Cushion Shape Diamond

The cushion shape was introduced in 1830. It is basically a square shape with rounded corners and sides. The cushion cut is an Old Mine-cut improved with the possibilities of modern cutting technologies and additional facets. This shape has an antique appearance which makes it very popular for vintage look jewelry. As vintage style jewelry has become more popular in recent years so the demand for the cushion cut has increased quite considerably.

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