A diamond’s shape is its most distinguishing and easily identifiable feature. Diamonds are cut in a variety of shapes that maximize diamond brilliance and give character to the diamond. Different shapes can represent different personalities and events. Round brilliant cuts are the most popular, followed by Princess cut diamonds. At With Clarity, we offer the 9 most popular diamond shapes, certified by GIA and IGI. While the correct term is diamond shape, many also refer to this feature as the cut of the diamond. There are many different types of cut or shapes of diamonds. However, there are ten that are most popularly used for jewelry and engagement rings. Learn more about each shape below.

Diamonds are cut in a variety of shapes. But how does a diamond cutter decide what shape to create? Well, a diamond cutter's number one responsibility is to preserve and maximize carat weight. And since rough diamonds can come in unpredictable shapes and sizes, the diamond cutter will create whichever shape maximizes carat weight and value.

Interestingly enough, round cut diamonds actually result in the most wastage of rough diamond carat. The other fancy shapes are deeper and tend to have longer, less uniform shaping so they capture more of the rough diamond. Diamond value is often determined in part by the amount of wastage in the rough diamond when cutting a particular diamond shape. Shapes that can preserve more of the rough diamond can be less expensive. Popularity and availability are the other factors that determine the price of the diamond.

While diamonds can be cut in any shape, there are 10 popular diamond shapes: Round, Princess, Cushion, Oval, Emerald, Pear, Marquise, Asscher, Radiant and Heart shape. Exotic shapes include Baguettes, Bullets, Half Moons, Trillion, Old Mine, Rose, even Horse head. While new diamond shapes are being invented, there are a classic few that have stood the test of time. They have endured for their beauty, and ability to showcase the sparkle of the diamond.

Diamond shape popularity has always been popular as jewelers have always been looking for a way to maximize the amount of shine of a single ring. Jewelers had their own agenda for creating shinier rings- the shinier the ring, the more they could charge. However, what started as a method to earn more money per ring turned into a very popular concept. Diamond shapes are incredibly popular today, and most people would consider the shape of diamond to be one of the most important factors of any ring.

This popularity stems from the difference in price, the lifespan of the diamond, and the appearance of the ring. With this being said, it is clear that different diamond shapes are more prone to damage than others, and therefore, it is important for the woman to do her research to determine what diamond shape will work the best for her lifestyle. Additionally, different diamond shapes have different essences. Some are considerably more modern while others seem more classic. These vibes are incredibly important to look out for when choosing a diamond because the shape could change the entire feeling of the ring as a whole. When choosing a shape for an engagement ring, be sure to pick something that resonates with your likes and personality, since you will be wearing it for a long time. Something classic and versatile will also blend in easily with any other jewelry and clothing that you wear. Don't make a decision simply based on what is trending.

The history of the round cut diamond is a tad different than most other diamond shapes. It took years upon years of diamond cutting in order to create this style which is incredibly popular today. Unlike most other diamond cuts, the round cut diamond was invented through the jewelers’ attempt to find the diamond cut with the most facets and the most shine. Ultimately, this look is perfect for the woman looking to display her classy, elegant, and timeless nature. Today most round diamonds are cut in the brilliant style. This means that they have more facets and angles. Previously, diamonds were cut with larger more open facets in the old mine way. These diamonds are still available in the market today, however; they are a lot less common than brilliant round diamonds.

Rounds are the most popular shape for not only engagement rings but for other jewelry like necklaces and earrings as well. When cut well, the proper reflection of light, the potential of brilliance and brightness is maximized. The round brilliant cut diamond has 58 facets. Its 58-facet cut, divided among its crown (top), girdle (widest part) and pavilion (base), is calibrated through a precise formula to achieve the maximum in fire and brilliance. When cutting a rough stone, more is lost in shaping a round diamond, so the cost of each carat retained is higher. Over 75% of the world's diamonds are Round Brilliants. There are many different types of cuts, however, the most popular are those that have been used to create engagement rings and jewelry over time.

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Princess diamonds, which are one of the square cut diamonds, are the second most popular shape behind round diamonds. And, like the stones that rank slightly above them, princess cut stones are brilliant cut. Princess cuts have a square (sometimes rectangular) shape with pointed corners and up to 76 small facets.

History – The name 'princess cut' was applied in the 1960s to a cut created by Arpad Nagy called the profile cut. Following this, more square cuts were given the name. These include the barion cut and the quadrillion cut, which were precursors to the current princess cut. It is one of the newest diamond shapes.

The princess cut (technical name 'square modified brilliant') is a diamond cut shape often used in engagement rings. The name dates back to the 1960s, while the princess cut as it exists was created by Betazel Ambar, Ygal Perlman, and Israel Itzkowitz in 1980. The cut has a square or rectangular shape when viewed from above, and from the side is similar to that of an inverted pyramid with four beveled sides. Its popularity was at its highest in the 80s and 90s, though its popularity was high in the 2000s as well. It is the second most popular diamond cut, below round and above cushion.

The face-up shape of the princess cut (technical name 'square modified brilliant' is square or rectangular and the profile or side-on shape is similar to that of an inverted pyramid with four beveled sides. The design is sometimes considered feminine. When looked down on, it bares an X shape. They are slightly less expensive and less cut than round diamonds.The sharp points of the diamond make it more prone to damage. The number of chevrons can affect the overall outlook of a princess cut diamond. This can usually be determined by the wire diagram that is plotted in diamond grading reports. The princess cut had its origins in the early "French" cut.

As of 2015, princess cut diamonds were the second most popular choice for an engagement ring. Approximately 30% of engagement rings use princess cut diamonds, behind round diamonds (50%) and ahead of cushions (8%). It saw its popularity at its peak in the 80s and 90s. The princess cut experienced a rise in popularity from the early 2000s to the mid 2000s. In the 2000s, the most popular engagement ring featured a princess cut diamond surrounded by round brilliant-cut diamonds. Disney in conjunction with Zales created a series of Disney Princess rings, with some of them, such as Aurora's, Fa Mulan's, Snow White's, and Tinker Bell's featuring princess cuts.

As of 2015, princess cut diamonds were the second most popular choice for an engagement ring. Approximately 30% of engagement rings use princess cut diamonds, behind round diamonds (50%) and ahead of cushions (8%). It saw its popularity at its peak in the 80s and 90s. The princess cut experienced a rise in popularity from the early 2000s to the mid 2000s. In the 2000s, the most popular engagement ring featured a princess cut diamond surrounded by round brilliant-cut diamonds. Disney in conjunction with Zales created a series of Disney Princess rings, with some of them, such as Aurora's, Fa Mulan's, Snow White's, and Tinker Bell's featuring princess cuts.

Princess cut diamonds have been used in different sports awards. The Chicago Cubs' trophy for their 2016 World Series win featured, among others, two princess cut diamonds. In 2018, The Capitals' Stanley Cup rings featured 22 princess cut diamonds among hundreds of others.

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The cushion cut diamond dates back to the 19th century. Similar to the princess cut, this diamond features a relatively square shape. However, the cushion cut is special in the fact that it can come in a multitude of ratios, making it either square or rectangular. Additionally, the corners of this stone are rounded which allows for it to be paired with a woman with an active and trendy lifestyle.

Cushion cuts blend the energy of a round brilliant with the symmetry of a radiant cut. It's romantic appeal is reflected in its larger 58 facets and rounded, squared corners. Also known as the "pillow cut," the cushion cut has larger faceting, which augments the diamond's brilliance. Larger facets can show clarity inclusions, so evaluate the location of inclusions by examining the certificate's diamond plot. Cushion cuts are popular in both square and rectangular shapes. Square cuts are generally a bit rarer, but do look more symmetrical in an engagement ring. Cushion cut diamonds have great fire (the light that is reflected out of a diamond in a rainbow of color).

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Emerald diamond cuts were some of the very first diamond cuts in the world. However, they were not standardized until 1940 because of their closeness with other diamond cuts. This cut is perfect for colored gemstones as well as high-quality diamonds; if choosing an emerald cut, it is recommended not to compromise in diamond quality because the style emphasizes the color in the stone.

Emerald diamond cuts represent unification, as they are well proportioned and bring out the pure brilliance of a diamond. Also known as "step cut" because of the layered faceting, the emerald cut possesses unique appeal with symmetrical sparkle. The faceting is minimal and simple, and therefore tends to show inclusions. The diamond has 58 facets, roughly 25 on the crown, 25 on the pavilion, and 8 on the girdle with 3 rows of bottom steps and three rows of top steps. An open setting can also show the diamond's color, so closed or bezel type settings are recommended with lower colors.

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Created in the mid 1900s, the oval cut is simply an elongated round brilliant cut diamond. Oval diamonds have the brilliance of the round, but they grab more attention thanks to their unique shape. This is a fashionable cut because, though you'll need to watch for a couple factors when shopping, they can appear larger than a round diamond at the same caract weight. It's also beloved for its ability to flatter the hand. The shape may have been developed to represent the longevity of a relationship, but it's valued because the oval diamond can make one's fingers look longer and thinner.

The oval diamond's ability to elongate your hands adds elegant to any ring with this style stone. But it's delicate thanks to its rounded edges. They add a gentle touch to the length of this stone, in contrast to the marquise cut's bold points. You need to be careful when selecting your diamond color with this style stone, though. The rounded ends have a tendency to show more color than a round diamond would, so it's wide to go up a color grade to make sure the ends appear colorless.

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The pear shaped diamond settings take into account marquise shaped diamonds and oval shaped diamonds in order to create a more brilliant and magical diamond cut. A pear shaped diamond engagement ring is incredibly unique, and many women praise its one-of-a-kind nature. Pear shaped diamond settings allow for many different creative routes in rings. A pear shaped diamond ring is unmistakable because the stone is in the shape of a teardrop with a slightly flatter and larger bottom with a the rest of the diamond coming to a skinny point at the top of the stone.

The pear shape diamond is artistic due to its many stylish variations. With 58 facets, light dances through the diamond similar to a round brilliant, maximizing sparkle. It's teardrop appearance leaves a lasting impression. The pear shape’s body allows the wearer the option of pointing it up or down. Its faceting often masks inclusions, and those found near the point tend to be less visible. Pear shapes can be wide or elongated, with longer pear shapes providing a slimming effect on fingers. Suggested cut ratio: 1.5 - 1.7. Most flaws such as naturals, and extra facets are at the point of the diamond. Always set the diamond with a prong covering the point of the stone to prevent any chipping.

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The asscher cut diamond was originally developed in 1902, making it relatively old in the terms of diamond cuts. This stone is nearly octagonal in shape due to all of its curved edges. Asscher cuts give off a timeless effect with their vintage and unique designs. Additionally, asscher cut diamonds are understated diamond ring shapes due to their step-cut facets; these facets create more of a soft glow emanating from the stone than a brilliant statement piece.

The asscher cut is (also a step cut diamond like the emerald cut) is a blend of the princess and emerald cuts with X-shaped facets from its corners to its center culet. The brilliance of its faceting can mask certain inclusions and lower color grades. Asscher cut diamonds have a clean balance, visual appeal, and can reflect clarity inclusions and color. Higher grades in both categories are generally recommended. The step cut emphasizes the clarity of the diamond, and it is ideal for showcasing higher clarity diamonds. Asscher cuts are a popular shape that was developed during the Art Deco Period. Suggested Cut Ratio: 1.00 to 1.05 for square proportions.

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The marquise cut diamond goes by many nicknames, including the football cut, boat cut, eye cut, or the navette cut. While this diamond shape is not the most popular of all of the diamond shapes, its intriguing shape and style are still incredibly beautiful; this cut allows the bride much more creativity in her ring choice.

The marquise cut is a classic and historic diamond that resembles the delight of a smile. The marquise is a variant of round and pear shaped diamonds, and like the oval is a perfect complement to long, slender fingers. The marquise cut's elongated body can make its appearance larger than its actual carat weight. It is an excellent cut to show the impression of long, slender fingers. Suggested Cut Ratio: 1.75 to 2.25 is the ideal shape.

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HISTORY
In 1977, Henry Grossbard designed the cut with the goal of combining the best elements of the emerald cut and the round brilliant cut into one diamond cut. After working for thirty years as a master diamond cutter, Grossbard wanted to create a diamond cut that would unleash the full potential of a diamond's brilliance, this cut made squares hip again, enabling people to choose the stylish square or rectangular shape without compromising on brilliance.

POPULARITY
Popular since the 1980s, the radiant cut diamond lives up to its name: it is impressively radiant and brilliant. The radiant cut diamond owes its brilliance to the 70 facets found its pavilion and crown. The precision of each facet offers immense brilliance and fire. The radiant cut’s brilliance is surpassed only by the round brilliant cut.

This makes the radiant cut an excellent choice for an engagement ring that sparkles with brilliance and fire. With carefully beveled corners, Radiants have substantial durability against chips and breakage, making it an excellent choice for those with an active lifestyle. This feature also allows the Radiant to be paired alongside both square and rounded diamonds

Excellent brilliance, fire and sparkle

Although the radiant cut isn’t quite as brilliant as the round brilliant cut, it’s not very far behind. Because of the 70 facets in its pavilion and crown, the radiant cut offers impressive brilliance and fire. This makes the radiant cut a great choice if you want a non-round diamond with a beautiful sparkle.

Larger perceived size than other diamond shapes

The radiant cut is well known for looking larger than most of the other diamonds of the same carat weight, giving it some extra presence on your fiancé-to-be’s finger.

The face-up area of the radiant cut is actually slightly smaller than that of a round brilliant cut diamond of an equal carat weight. However, the radiant cut’s long diagonal measurement tricks the eye and makes it look larger than it really is.

Better durability than other square diamonds

The radiant cut is often compared to square diamonds, such as the princess cut. Although it looks quite different (the princess cut is square, while the radiant cut is square or elongated), it’s easy to see the similarities.

However, the radiant cut has one advantage over the princess cut — it’s far more durable. Because the radiant cut has beveled corners, radiant cut engagement rings are less likely to chip, making the shape a good option if your fiancé-to-be has an active lifestyle.

Excellent value for money

The cutting process for the radiant diamond uses a large percentage of the original rough diamond, with very little going to waste. This means that a loose radiant diamond will be priced lower on a per-carat basis than most other diamond cuts. In fact, the radiant cut diamond is one of the most affordable diamond shapes.
For example, this 1.01 carat, VS1 clarity, H color radiant cut diamond from James Allen costs $3,920. Meanwhile, this round brilliant cut diamond of the same clarity, color and carat weight costs $6,130 — almost 56% more. By choosing a radiant cut over a round brilliant, you’ll be able to spend more of your budget on the engagement ring setting, or on a larger diamond.

Unfortunately, like every other diamond shape, the radiant cut isn’t without its weak points. Cons of the radiant diamond cut include the following:>

For a diamond that bursts with brilliance and sparkles from across the room, consider a radiant cut diamond. Ensure you closely review each diamond for its cut quality, clarity and color, along with its overall beauty and appeal.

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