Diamond Shape
Choosing the perfect diamond shape can be difficult, everyone has a personal favourite. Below is a quick guide outlining the most popular diamond shapes available:
Round Brilliant Cut
The round brilliant cut diamond is the most popular diamond shape. A round brilliant cut diamond has between 57-58 facets, arranged specifically to provide a balanced return of light and encourage light refraction. Each facets is calculated exactly to ensure fire and brilliance. This is the only shape of diamond that currently had cut grading, see diamond cut for further information.
Oval Cut
Oval cut diamonds gave been gathering popularity over the past few years. With a similar facet layout as a round brilliant cut, the oval cut offers a similar sparkle and brilliance. This shape is favoured by some due to its flattering, lengthening appearance on the hand. Each oval cut diamond is different and the length to width ratio can be selected based on the desired shape.
Emerald Cut
Emerald cut diamonds are one of the most popular fancy shapes. These diamonds have fewer, but, larger facets than round brilliant cut diamonds. Thus providing large flashes of light rather than a constant glittering. Due to the open facets of an emerald cut diamond, we recommend focussing on higher clarity grades to prevent inclusions being noticeable. These statement stones are popular among celebrities.
Cushion Cut
There are two types of cushion cut diamond. The cushion brilliant cut and the cushion modified brilliant cut. As suggested in the name, the cushion brilliant cut diamond has a similar facet layout to the round brilliant cut diamond. Whereas, the cushion modified brilliant cut has additional facets. This style is often referred to as "crushed ice" due to its appearance.
Princess Cut
The princess cut is sometimes referred to as square modified brilliant cut due to the similar facet pattern. This cut offers a combination of sharp edges with the sparkle and brilliance associated with round brilliant cut diamonds. These stones can have up to 78 facets. Not all princess cut diamonds are exactly square, so it is important to pay attention to the length to width ratio of the diamond.
Asscher Cut
The asscher cut diamond is often referred to as a modified square emerald cut diamond. The facet pattern is similar to that of an emerald cut, with large open facets offering bold flashes of light. Similar to the princess cut, these are not always square so it is important to view the stone or pay attention to the length to width ration. As an emerald cut, we recommend focussing on the higher clarity gradings as inclusions are easier to see with the open facet style.
Radiant Cut
The radiant cut diamond is known for it's cut corners. Combining the shape of an emerald cut with the brilliance and sparkle of a round brilliant cut. Radiant cut diamonds are particularly common in fancy coloured diamonds, as the facet pattern intensifies the colour. Radiant cut diamonds are available in different width to length ratios, meaning some diamonds are long rectangles, whereas others are perfectly square.
Pear Shape
Pear shape diamonds are popular for their teardrop shape. With a similar facet layout to a round brilliant cut, these stones offer a unique shape alongside fire and brilliance. Pear shape diamonds are available is different ratios, so the teardrop shape can be long and slim or short and wide. The perfect shape is personal, we would recommend viewing pear shape diamonds so as to find your perfect proportions.
Marquise Cut
Marquise diamonds have an elongated shape, making them flattering on the finger. Due to the cutting style of this unique diamond, the stone can appear much larger than other stones of a similar carat weight. The facet pattern mimics a round brilliant cut diamond, ensuring the stone glistens.
Heart Shape
The heart shape diamond is often seen as the most romantic cut of diamond. With a similar facet pattern to a round brilliant cut diamond, the heart shape offers fire and brilliance. Each heart shape diamond is unique and viewing is essential, symmetry and shape appeal can make a real difference to the stones appearance.
