Diamond Shapes 101: Your Guide to Finding the Perfect Cut
- KHJ
- Nov 26
- 5 min read
Choosing a diamond is one of the most exciting parts of engagement ring shopping. Every shape reflects a different style and tells a story about the person who wears it. Whether you love something classic, modern, bold, or romantic, there is a perfect diamond shape waiting for you.
Here is a simple guide to the most popular cuts, along with a few tips on style and what to keep in mind when choosing your favorite.
Round Brilliant
The round brilliant is the most popular diamond shape. Its faceting pattern is designed to maximize sparkle, which makes it a favorite for brides who want a classic and timeless look.
Style Personality: Traditional, elegant, loves a clean and polished look
Pros: Exceptional brilliance, looks beautiful in any setting style, very versatile
Cons: Can appear smaller for its carat weight and is a common choice, so it may feel less distinctive than fancy shapes.
Oval
Oval diamonds have a graceful, elongated look that makes fingers appear longer. They offer a sparkle similar to a round diamond but with a softer, more modern feel.
Style Personality: Sophisticated, romantic, loves a blend of classic and trend forward
Pros: Elongates the finger, great spread for the carat weight, bright sparkle
Cons: Some stones show a “bow tie” shadow if not well cut
Pear
Pear shaped diamonds combine a round cut and a marquise shape for a teardrop silhouette. They are unique, feminine, and make a stunning presence on the hand.
Style Personality: Bold, stylish, loves something one of a kind
Pros: Elongating effect, eye catching, often looks larger for its carat weight
Cons: Tip should be protected by a secure setting, some stones show a bow tie
Emerald
Emerald cut diamonds have a sleek rectangular shape with long step cut facets. Instead of sparkle, they show clean flashes of light and a mirror like elegance.
Style Personality: Refined, confident, drawn to minimal and architectural design
Pros: Stunning clarity, timeless sophistication, looks beautiful in simple settings
Cons: Facets reveal inclusions more easily, less sparkle than brilliant cuts
Cushion
Cushion cut diamonds have soft, rounded corners and a pillow-like shape. They combine vintage charm with modern sparkle.
Style Personality: Romantic, warm, appreciates a blend of old and new
Pros: Great fire and sparkle, many style variations, flattering for antique inspired designs
Cons: Size appearance varies widely depending on the cut style
Princess
Princess cut diamonds are square with brilliant faceting that gives them crisp sparkle. They are a favorite for those who love clean lines with plenty of shine.
Style Personality: Modern, youthful, loves symmetry and bold shape
Pros: Bright sparkle, contemporary look, great value for the brilliance
Cons: Sharp corners need protective prongs to avoid chipping
Radiant
Radiant cut diamonds combine the shape of an emerald or square cut with the sparkle of a brilliant cut. They offer a lively look with a structured silhouette.
Style Personality: Glamorous, outgoing, likes something bright and eye catching
Pros: Lots of sparkle, durable cut with trimmed corners, great finger coverage
Cons: Can appear smaller if cut with a high depth percentage
Marquise
Marquise diamonds are long and pointed at both ends. They offer the most length of any diamond shape and feel dramatic and distinctive.
Style Personality: Vintage inspired, confident, enjoys a statement piece
Pros: Creates the longest silhouette, impressive face up size
Cons: Tips can be fragile and need secure settings, bow tie effect possible
Heart
Heart shaped diamonds are a romantic and symbolic choice. They are rare and instantly recognizable.
Style Personality: Sentimental, bold, loves jewelry that tells a story
Pros: Highly unique, meaningful, stands out
Cons: Requires precise cutting for symmetry, not as available in all sizes
Which Shape Is Right for You?
There is no right or wrong choice. Think about what makes you feel confident and what matches your everyday style. Try on different shapes in person and discover what catches your eye and what feels natural on your hand.
At K. Hollis Jewelers in Batavia, we carry a wide selection of diamond shapes at every price point, including our customizable K. Hollis Signature Bridal Collection. Whether you are drawn to a classic round or a bold pear, we would love to help you explore your options and find the one that feels like it was made for you.
Visit us for a free consultation and let’s find your perfect diamond together.
FAQ
What is the difference between fancy cuts and non-fancy cuts?
Non-fancy cuts refer to round diamonds, which are the most classic and traditional shape. Every other shape — like oval, pear, emerald, cushion, radiant, and marquise — is considered a fancy cut.
Round diamonds are known for their brilliant sparkle and timeless appeal. Fancy cuts offer more unique silhouettes and often look larger for their carat weight. Both are beautiful choices, and the best shape is the one that feels right for your style.
Which diamond shape sparkles the most?
Round brilliant diamonds are known for having the most sparkle because of their 57 or 58 facets designed to maximize light return. They’re cut specifically to give you that classic, bright, all-angle sparkle people love.
There is one exception at K. Hollis Jewelers:
Our Centurion 100-facet diamonds are engineered for even greater brilliance, with nearly double the number of facets and an average of 20 percent more sparkle than a traditional round diamond. If you love maximum fire and brightness, they’re a beautiful option to explore in person.
Which diamond shape looks the biggest for its carat weight?
Ovals, marquise, and pear shapes tend to look larger because of their elongated silhouettes. Emerald and Asscher cuts have a more understated glow but may appear slightly smaller due to their step-cut facets.
What diamond shape is best for an engagement ring?
There’s no single “best” shape. It depends on your personal style. Round diamonds are a timeless favorite, oval and pear shapes offer a modern but elegant look, and emerald or Asscher cuts feel clean and sophisticated. The right shape is the one you love looking at every day.
Does the diamond shape affect durability?
Some shapes, like marquise, pear, and heart diamonds, have pointed ends that should be protected with a well-designed setting. Round, cushion, and emerald cuts tend to be more durable due to their softer edges. A quality setting will keep any shape secure.
What are the different kinds of diamond cuts?
There are three main cutting styles you’ll see when shopping for diamonds.
Brilliant cuts (like round, oval, pear, marquise, radiant, and cushion) are designed for sparkle and light return.
Step cuts (like emerald and Asscher) have long, clean facets that create a sleek, mirror-like glow instead of intense sparkle.
Mixed cuts combine the best of both, blending brilliant facets with geometric lines for a balanced look.
Each cut offers its own personality, so it’s all about choosing what feels most true to your style.
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