Although you might have already decided your favourite diamond shape, we list some factors below that might help “shape” your opinion!
Diamond shape and cut are often confused for the same thing. Diamond Shape refers to the outline or geometrical form of the stone e.g. round, oval, pear etc. A diamond cut is a style or design guide used when shaping a diamond for polishing such as the Brilliant cut, it refers to a stone’s facet arrangement.
Round
The round diamond is the most commonly sought after diamond accounting for about 75% of diamonds purchased today. It is often used in engagement rings as well as stud earrings & pendants. The round diamond is known for its fire and brilliance due to its superior reflection of light maximising potential brightness.
They are more expensive than similar grade fancy shaped diamonds due to its popularity and the fact that round diamonds suffer a greater loss of rough stone when cutting.
Princess
The princess cut diamond, otherwise known as square modified cut, is the second most popular diamond shape. The square shape creates the illusion of a larger diamond. It is very popular in engagement rings as well as stud earrings and pendants. The most desirable princess diamonds are perfectly square in shape, with the more rectangular variations decreasing in value.
Emerald
The emerald cut was designed to highlight the qualities of emeralds. It is step cut which means it has rows of facets and because the shape resembles steps. It can be rectangular or square cut. These diamonds produce a hall-of-mirrors look, with the interplay of light and dark planes.
Oval
A perfectly symmetrical design yields a large surface area that gives the impression of a much larger diamond. When well proportioned, oval diamonds can elongate the finger giving the illusion that the finger is longer and slimmer. Cut with the same number of facets as a round diamond, an oval shape emits nearly the same level of brilliance and fire, and its shape makes it appear larger in carat weight than a round.
Marquise
The marquise cut diamond is a football-shaped, modified brilliant cut. The long and narrow shape creates an illusion that the diamond is of greater size. Symmetry is quite important with this shape, as even the slightest difference can create an uneven, imbalanced look.
Pear
The pear shape is a combination of a round and a marquise shape, with a tapered point on one end. Pear shaped diamonds have gently rounded shoulders and wings (the sides near the point) for an attractive contour. The point should always be directed out toward the fingers of the wearer, this shape also has a slimming effect on the hand.
Cushion
The cushion cut diamond was originally designed to retain as much weight from the original crystal as possible. It combines a square cut with rounded corners. The cushion cut has been around for approximately 200 years and for the first century of its existence was the most popular diamond shape, much like the round cut today.
Heart
The heart shape diamond is the ultimate symbol of romance. An experienced cutter creates the heart shape, keeping an eye on the heart's balance and symmetry. The heart shape is ideal as a pendant or as a solitaire ring.
Radiant
The radiant cut creates a vibrant and fiery diamond, it is ideal as a centre-stone surrounded by smaller diamonds. This rectangular or square cut diamond blends the elegance of the emerald shape with the brilliance of the round.
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