Diamond Shapes

The round brilliant cut diamond is by far the most popular of all the polished diamond shapes. It consists of 57 facets (or 58 if a culet is present) While the facet count is standard, the actual proportions (crown height and angle, pavilion depth, etc.) can vary depending on how the diamond is cut. A brief diagram is provided below showing the names attributed to the diamond. Here are some examples of round brilliant engagement rings. Most classic of all the diamond rings has to be the round brilliant cut diamond solitaire especially in the Tiffany style setting. This is a timeless classic that never goes out of fashion.

Emerald Cut Diamonds are usually rectangular in form. They are step cut diamonds with diagonally cut corners and two, three or four rows of facets, parallel to the girdle on the crown and pavillion. The look of an emerald cut diamond is subtle and understated and it has less flash than a brilliant cut. The Emerald cut diamond has been around for a long time and is one of the classic fancy cuts. When matched with outer diamonds, it is best to go for a similar cut of stone, such as baguette diamonds, tapering baguettes or smaller emerald cuts. The proportion of an emerald cut is typically a length measuring approximately 1.5-1.75 times the width, although variations are common. We have many  emerald cut engagement rings available to buy online if this is a shape that you are particularly interested in.

The Pear Shape Diamond is a variant of the brilliant cut. Also referred to as a Pear Shaped Modified Brilliant. This particular cut sometimes called pendeloque or teardrop has 56 - 58 facets. The name pendeloque is French and is related to our word for pendant. This is probably due to the pear shape diamond being a particulary good shape for use in a pendant. View prices of pear shaped diamonds

The heart shape diamond is a modified brilliant cut in the shape of a heart. Also known as a Heart Shaped Modified Brilliant. It has a crown shaped table, and typically has 59 facets. The heart shape diamond is perhaps the most romantic of all the fancy cuts. The length to width ratio is normally 1:1 but as with many shapes, variations are often found. Here are some heart shaped engagement rings

The marquise shape is an elongated boat shaped brilliant cut with curving sides and pointed ends. It was developed in France in the 1740's. It was supposedly named after King Louis XIV desired a stone to be polished into the shape of the mouth of the  Marquise de Pompadour. This shape is also sometimes named Navette. Proportions vary, but a typical ration is 1.85 :1 to 2:1. The shape is something which is of personal taste with some people prefering a more narrow stone and vice versa.  The typical marquise shape contains 56 facets. Here are some marquise engagement rings

Oval cut diamonds are brilliant cut with an elliptical girdle outline. It is also called an oval brilliant cut. It often appears larger than a round stone of the same weight. It was created in the 1960's by Lasare Kaplan. A length to width ratio of 1.5:1 is a typical pleasing shape. Typically these stones have 56 facets. Here are some oval diamond engagement rings

The princess cut is a brilliant-style shape with sharp uncut corners. It was developed in 1980 by Betsalel Ambar and Israel Atzkowitz of Ambar Diamonds. A princess cut generally has 76 facets giving it more brilliance and fire than a round brilliant. The princess cut diamond is one of the  most popular cuts of diamond along with the round brilliant cut. Here are our princess diamond engagement rings. In terms of weight, princess cut diamonds weigh much heavier than round brilliant cut diamonds. A 1ct princess cut for example will have a measurement of  about 6mm as opposed to 6.5mm as in the case of a round brilliant cut diamond.

Radiant cut diamonds have the same look as a princess cut with the exception of the corners which are polished. It is possible to get both square and elongated radiant cut diamonds. Typically they will fit into most princess cut settings and weigh similarly. Radiants are easier to find in the square or off-square proportions.

Trilliant Cut

A Trilliant cut diamond is an unusual eye-catching shape. The name Trilliant  is a combination of brilliant and triangle and sums up the shape perfectly. Usually cut with 44 facets, this is one of the more unusual yet striking cuts of diamond.  It is possible to find a great variation in trilliant diamond sizes and weights, ranging from more deeply cut stones, to stones with a very large spread. The sides of a trilliant diamond can be straight, or can bow outward slightly with subtly curved edges.

The cushion diamond shape is made up of a square stone with rounded corners, and is an attractive alternative to the round brilliant or princess cut diamond shapes. Cushion cut is a generic name for the Old Mine Cut that was developed before the turn of the Century. The cushion diamond shape resembles a pillow, hence the name. It typically has 58 brilliant style facets. For ring designs see Cushion cut engagement rings

For information on diamond sizes, please see our diamond size chart

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