One of the most crucial selections you will make about an engagement ring is the diamond’s form. The general appearance of the ring is dictated by the diamond form, which also affects the way the stone reflects light. Deciding which diamond shape best fits your budget, taste, and personality can be taxing given the abundance of options.
The five most often used diamond shapes for engagement rings—each with special qualities and appeal—will be discussed in this article. Every pair will find a diamond shape whether your taste in style is more current or classic and timeless.
The Engagement ring you choose is one of the most exciting and important choices you’ll ever have to make. An engagement ring is a sign of love and loyalty. At Carat Diamonds, we have a beautiful selection of engagement rings to fit any style or personality. Our lab-grown diamonds are just as beautiful and brilliant as real diamonds, but they cost less. They can be used in traditional solitaires or more modern halo designs. Let us help you find the right ring that keeps shining for a lifetime and tells the story of your love. Check out our selections right now!
1. Round Brilliant Cut: The Timeless Classic
For engagement rings, the most often used and classic diamond shape is by far the round brilliant cut. Considered for more than 70% of all diamonds sold, it is preferred because it maximizes sparkle and brilliance. With 58 facets arranged deliberately to maximize the way light enters the diamond and reflects back in a brilliant show, the round cut is made.
Why Choose a Round Diamond?
- Unmatched Brilliance: The round brilliant cut is specifically designed to reflect the maximum amount of light, making it the most brilliant diamond shape available.
- Timeless Elegance: A round diamond is classic and universally admired, never going out of style.
- Versatility: The round shape works well with virtually any setting—solitaire, halo, three-stone, or pavé—and pairs beautifully with any metal type (platinum, gold, white gold, or rose gold).
- High Resale Value: Due to its popularity, round diamonds often retain their value better than other shapes, making them a solid investment.
Best For:
Couples who prefer a traditional, elegant look with maximum sparkle. The round brilliant cut suits all styles and personality types, making it the safest, most versatile choice for an engagement ring.
2. Princess Cut: Modern and Bold
Particularly prized for their modern, geometric look, the princess cut is the second most often used diamond shape for engagement rings. Though still providing lots of brilliance, the princess cut’s sharp corners and square form provide a stark contrast to the more conventional round cut.
Depending on the precise cut, the princess cut’s 57 to 76 facets serve to provide great shine. Often trimmed to be symmetrical, it is the ideal choice for people who appreciate sleek, contemporary designs.
Why Choose a Princess Cut?
- Contemporary Appeal: The princess cut’s clean lines and sharp corners make it a more modern, bold alternative to the classic round diamond.
- Brilliant Sparkle: Like the round cut, the princess cut reflects light beautifully, making it a brilliant choice for those seeking a diamond with maximum sparkle.
- Cost-Effective: Because of its square shape, the princess cut is often more affordable than a round diamond of the same carat weight.
- Versatile Setting Options: The princess cut can be set in many different styles, including solitaires, halo settings, and three-stone designs. It pairs well with modern, minimalist settings or vintage-inspired rings.
Best For:
Couples who love the modern, square aesthetic and want a bold, sparkling diamond with a little more edge. It’s perfect for those who want something distinct and different from the classic round.
3. Cushion Cut: Vintage Romance with Soft Edges
A traditional diamond form, the cushion cut has been somewhat fashionable in recent years. Often referred to as a “pillow” form, the cushion cut has softer, romantic appeal with rounded corners and more facets. Each of the several varieties of the cushion cut—square and rectangular—have their own unique appeal.
Historically, the cushion cut was fashionable in the 19th century; many vintage-style engagement rings reflect this form. Couples looking for a more heirloom-inspired or vintage design love it because of its classic appeal.
Why Choose a Cushion Cut?
- Vintage Charm: The cushion cut evokes a sense of old-world romance, making it a great choice for those who love vintage or antique-inspired styles.
- Soft, Romantic Look: The rounded corners and larger facets give the cushion cut a soft, inviting look that appeals to many brides.
- Unique Sparkle: While not as brilliant as the round cut, the cushion cut offers a different type of sparkle known as a “crushed ice” effect, where the facets reflect light in a more subdued, charming way.
- Popular with Halo Settings: The cushion cut works beautifully in halo settings, where smaller diamonds surround the center stone for added brilliance.
Best For:
Couples who appreciate a vintage, romantic look with a touch of old-world charm. The cushion cut is ideal for those looking for a softer, less conventional design that still offers plenty of sparkle.
4. Oval Cut: Elongated and Elegant
The oval cut is really an enlarged form of the round brilliant cut. Maintaining the same bright shine, its elegant, oval form gives a modern interpretation of the classic round diamond. Because of its elongated form, individuals who wish a diamond that appears larger than a round diamond of the same carat weight particularly like the oval cut.
Like round diamonds, oval diamonds reflect light wonderfully and are frequently cut with 58 facets. Depending on personal taste, the cut can also be tailored to get a more rounded, softer oval look or a more elongated form.
Why Choose an Oval Cut?
- Larger Appearance: The elongated shape of the oval diamond gives the illusion of a larger size compared to other shapes, making it an excellent option for those who want a bigger stone without increasing the carat weight.
- Brilliant Sparkle: Like the round diamond, the oval cut reflects light beautifully, offering maximum brilliance.
- Elongates the Finger: The shape of the oval diamond can create the illusion of longer, more slender fingers, which is why it’s a popular choice for those looking to enhance the appearance of their hands.
- Modern and Elegant: Oval diamonds have a sleek, contemporary look that works well with both classic and modern settings.
Best For:
Couples who want a large-looking diamond with a contemporary, elongated shape. The oval cut is perfect for those who love the brilliance of a round diamond but want something a bit different that still offers plenty of sparkle.
5. Emerald Cut: Elegant and Sophisticated
The rectangular form and big, open facets of the emerald cut make it easily identifiable as a diamond shape. The emerald cut stresses clarity and the diamond’s innate beauty instead of the other diamond forms that center on brilliance and sparkle. The emerald cut’s elongated rectangular form sometimes lends the diamond a more subdued, elegant look.
Step-like facets on emerald-cut diamonds produce a striking “hall of mirrors” impression. Though modest, this technique lets the clarity of the diamond take front stage.
Why Choose an Emerald Cut?
- Elegant and Sophisticated: The emerald cut has an understated elegance that appeals to those who prefer a more refined, sophisticated look.
- Emphasis on Clarity: With fewer facets and a larger surface area, the emerald cut highlights the clarity and quality of the diamond, making it an ideal choice for diamonds with high clarity grades.
- Distinctive and Unique: The emerald cut is less common than round or princess cuts, making it a great choice for those who want something more distinctive and unique.
- Vintage Appeal: The emerald cut has a vintage-inspired look, reminiscent of art deco designs, making it a popular choice for those seeking an antique or retro style.
Best For:
Couples who prefer a sophisticated, elegant look and want a diamond that highlights clarity over brilliance. The emerald cut is ideal for those who love vintage styles and want a more unique, standout design.
Conclusion: Finding the Perfect Diamond Shape for You
The very personal choice of which diamond shape best suits your engagement ring displays your taste, style, and future vision for you two. Whether your inclination is for the classic brightness of a round cut, the contemporary appeal of a princess cut, the romantic charm of a cushion cut, the elongated elegance of an oval cut, or the sophisticated allure of an emerald cut, each form has special beauty and value.
Choose your diamond shape based on your partner’s tastes, way of life, and general engagement ring appearance. Though the shape defines the ring’s personality and style, keep in mind that the cut of the diamond greatly influences its general shine and beauty.
Knowing the features of every diamond form will help you to choose the one that fits your vision and design an engagement ring that will represent your lifetime love.