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What’s The Difference Between Diamond Shapes and Diamond Cuts?
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Princess Cut Diamond
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Cushion Cut Diamond
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Pear Cut Diamond
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Oval Cut Diamond
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Emerald Cut Diamond
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Marquise Cut Diamond
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Round Cut Diamond
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What’s The Difference Between Diamond Shapes and Diamond Cuts?
The terms ‘diamond shape’ and ‘diamond cut’ are often used interchangeably, but they mean very different things. Diamond shape refers to the diamond’s silhouette when viewed from above–what you see when you look down at the diamond.Diamond cut, on the other hand, refers to the stone’s faceting, symmetry and proportions. Cut is a very important factor in the diamond’s overall appearance, as it determines how well the diamond will reflect light. A well cut diamond exhibits brilliance, sparkle and fire (flashes of colored light).
Diamond cut and diamond shape are interconnected. Certain diamond shapes can only be cut in particular ways. Emerald shaped diamonds, for instance, are step cut diamonds. This means that they feature several longer, rectangular facets rather than the dozens of tiny facets in a brilliant cut diamond.
Despite the differences between these terms, jewelers will know what you mean when you refer to ‘diamond shape’ or ‘diamond cut.’ It’s nice to know the technical differences, but using the terms interchangeably usually won’t cause any problems. In this blog, we’ll use both terms. And in the next section, we’ll describe the pros and potential drawbacks of some of the most popular diamond shapes.
Princess Cut Diamond
Princess shaped diamonds appear square on top but narrow down to a point at the bottom. Picture an upside down pyramid, and you’ll have a good idea of what they look like. It is a relatively new cut, with its origins in the mid-20th century, but since its creation, the princess diamond has become wildly popular.It’s a brilliant cut diamond, meaning that it has 58 facets designed to maximize light reflection and give it a dazzling sparkle. For that reason, it’s a good replacement for other brilliant cut diamonds, such as the classic round diamond or the marquise diamond, if those shapes don’t appeal to you. The princess cut’s sharp angles give it a bold, modern look that many brides love.
The princess cut may not be ideal for everyone, though. If you like a softer or more vintage look, you may not be a fan of the princess cut’s angular silhouette. Those sharp corners are also prone to catching on other objects and potentially chipping. You can mitigate that risk by choosing a secure setting for your princess cut diamond.
Cushion Cut Diamond
Think of cushion cuts as a softer version of the princess cut. They have a square or rectangular shape, but with rounded corners. Like princess shaped diamonds, cushions are brilliant cut diamonds that boast a stunning shine. Cushion cut diamonds can be traced back to the 1700s.It’s no wonder, then, that one of the draws of a cushion cut diamond is its vintage appeal. Classy, simple and attractive, this diamond shape is perfect to use in a custom engagement ring with a throwback theme. It pairs well with other vintage touches like milgrain details and yellow gold.
Like other elongated diamond shapes, cushion cut diamonds can look very different with even slight changes to their proportions. The length to width ratio of a cushion cut diamond can give it either a more square or rectangular appearance. These various shapes will reflect light in different ways. You may have to look around for a while to determine the length to width ratio that you like.
Pear Cut Diamond
Pear shaped diamonds strike a balance between quirky and elegant. With a touch of modern boldness and a bit of classic charm, this unique diamond shape has become more popular in recent years. Despite their current popularity, these diamonds aren’t new: historians believe that the first pear diamonds were created all the way back in 1458!In addition to their rich history and timeless aesthetic appeal, pear diamonds are a great choice for the bride who wants a flattering ring. The pear diamond’s elongated shape makes the finger look slimmer and longer. Pear diamonds are also very versatile. They make great solitaire stones, but they also look gorgeous in a two- or three-stone ring setting.
The pointed tip of the pear diamond, like the sharp corners of a princess cut diamond, is thinner and more fragile than a rounded edge, and therefore more likely to chip or to catch on things. Another potential drawback: pear diamonds exhibit something called a ‘bowtie effect’ (also seen in other elongated diamond shapes. The bowtie effect is a dark, bowtie-shaped spot across the center of the stone that does not reflect light. A well cut pear diamond can hide the bowtie effect well, but in other pear diamonds, it may be obvious and detract from the diamond’s beauty.
Oval Cut Diamond
Oval diamonds are one of the most popular diamond choices at the moment. They originated in the 1300s, making them one of the oldest diamond shapes. However, oval diamond cutting techniques weren’t perfected until the 1960s, when a Russian diamond cutter named Lazare Kaplan created the current 58-facet brilliant cut we see in oval diamonds today.Like other elongated diamond shapes (including pears and emeralds), the oval diamond comes in a variety of length-to-width ratios. They can range from especially long and thin to short and rounded, though the most popular oval diamonds fall somewhere in the middle. The best oval diamonds have a length-to-width ratio between 1.3 and 1.6. And like other elongated brilliant cut stones, oval diamonds do showcase the “bowtie effect.” The good news is that it should be hardly noticeable in a well cut oval diamond.
Though it can be hard to find an oval diamond in the ideal ratio, and though you’ll need to keep an eye out for the “bowtie effect,” oval diamonds are stunning diamonds that make excellent center stones. They are popular in solitaire settings, which add to their show-stopping sparkle and elongating effect. These effortlessly chic diamonds don’t need accent stones to shine, but extra diamonds never hurt anybody! Oval stones look great with pave bands or at the center of a three-stone setting.
Emerald Cut Diamond
Though they’ve been around for centuries, emerald cut diamonds first became popular in the 1920s with the advent of the Art Deco movement. Their bold angles and sleek lines fit the geometric, futuristic aesthetic of the time. Even today, we associate emerald cuts with the Roaring Twenties, giving this diamond shape a vintage appeal.Longer than they are wide, emerald cut diamonds have a slimming effect on the finger. This cut also makes a diamond appear larger than its actual carat weight. If you want the look of a big diamond without breaking the bank, an elongated shape like an emerald is the way to go.
Emerald diamonds are step cut, with long, rectangular facets. This gives the diamond an elegant, glassy appearance. It’s different from the sparkle and fire of a brilliant diamond, but just as beautiful. These diamonds are increasingly popular, especially in solitaire settings. Their vintage flair and bold shape have made them a hit among younger brides. Several celebrities have received high-profile emerald cut diamond rings in recent years, including Beyonce and actress Jennifer Lawrence.
Marquise Cut Diamond
The marquise cut has an elongated, curving shape that resembles an oval before tapering into points at both ends. Some people compare the shape of a marquise diamond to that of an almond or a football, though legend has it that King Louis XV of France originally had the diamond created to resemble the shape of his lover’s lips.Once a rare sight, the marquise diamond has sparked renewed interest in the 2020s. They have a lower cost-per-carat and larger surface area than round diamonds, meaning that not only are they less expensive, but they tend to look bigger than round cut diamonds of the same carat weight.
Marquise stones fit nicely in a variety of settings. It’s common to see them oriented east-west as well as the traditional north-south. Two east-west marquise diamonds flanking a pear or oval center stone is one popular arrangement.
Round Cut Diamond
Round diamonds are considered the classic shape for a center stone, and are still by far the most popular choice for engagement rings. They’re simple, versatile, functional and undeniably gorgeous. Round diamonds emerged from the Old Mine and Old European cuts of the 18th and 19th centuries. These older shapes resembled a soft cushion or semi-round diamond, but the machinery didn’t yet exist to create perfect round diamonds like the ones we see today.The modern round brilliant cut was invented and standardized by Marcel Tolkowsky in 1919. Technological advances have since made it much easier to create symmetrical, well cut round brilliant diamonds. Today’s round brilliant cut diamonds have 57 or 58 facets, depending on which diamond cutter you get them from. They boast exceptional sparkle and fire, gathering and reflecting light with an intensity like no other diamond shape.
The round shape isn’t just adaptable to a variety of styles and settings, it’s also durable–since it has no sharp edges, it’s harder to catch it or chip it as you go about your life. On the other hand, since the cutting process for a round brilliant stone is so intricate, these diamonds are more expensive than fancy cut diamonds.