Top 10 Popular Diamond Shapes

Although the round diamond shape is the most popular shape of all there are many fascinating and beautiful alternatives. Use this list to familiarize yourself with the top 10 diamond shapes before you decide to buy a diamond ring.

1. Round Cut Diamond

Rounds diamonds are the most popular shape that diamonds are cut into. It is also the most brilliant of all the cuts. You may have heard of a term called “Ideal Cut”. This term refers to the attempt to cut a diamond into the best proportions to achieve maximum brilliance.

2. Princess Cut Diamond

The Princess Cut is relatively new. It is a very attractive cut. Some people like the Princess because it is rectangular and yet has some of the sparkle of a Round brilliant cut.

3. Emerald Cut Diamond

The Emerald Cut is rectangular with cut corners. It is a step cut as opposed to a brilliant cut. The facets are broad with flat planes resembling the steps of a stair. That’s why it is refered to as a “step” cut.

4. Radiant Cut Diamond

The Radiant Cut has 70 facets and is known for its cut corners. This cut has the class and elegance of an emerald cut without sacrificing the brilliance of a Round Brilliant Cut. Radiants look very good when adorned with baguettes or round side stones.

5. Asscher Cut Diamond

The Asscher Cut is a modified version of the Emerald Cut. It is more brilliant, has a smaller table, deeper pavilion and bigger step facets. The Asscher has been around since 1902 but really started to become fashionable after it was featured in Sex and the City.

6. Oval Cut Diamond

The Oval Shaped Brilliant is very similar to a Round except it is elliptical. It was invented by Lazare Kaplan in the early 1960s. The Oval brilliant usually has 56 facets. “Shape Appeal” is very important with Oval brilliants.

7. Marquise Cut Diamond

The name “Marquise” came from a legend of the Marquise of Pompadour that the Sun King wanted a Diamond to be polished into the shape of the mouth of the Marquise!

8. Heart Cut Diamond

The Heart Shaped Brilliant bears some similarity to the Pear Shape, except that there is a cleft at the top. In fact, often the reason cutters may choose a Heart shape over a Pear may be that the Rough Diamond contained an inclusion located in the cleft. The skill of the cutter can make a great difference in the beauty of this cut. The “Shape Appeal” is especially important with Hearts.

9. Pear Cut Diamond

The Pear Shaped Brilliant is a combination of a Round brilliant and a Marquise cut. Pendants looks very nice set with a Pear shape as do earrings, due to the “Teardrop” shape.

10. Cushion Cut Diamond

Cushion cut diamonds are also known as “pillow cut” or “candlelight”. Those names come from having been around so long that they were originally viewed by candlelight rather than the modern light bulb. The Cushion is a unique cut in an antique style similar to an Old Mine or Oval cut. Cushions feature rounded corners and larger facets. Their shape varies from square to rectangular. Choose the shape appeal based on your preference.

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