Unveiling the Elegance of Diamond Shapes: A Comprehensive Guide
Finding the engagement ring that you or your partner has always dreamt of can be greatly impacted by the main stone it has been crafted with. With the numerous types of shapes floating around the market and social media, you may have spotted a design that you like but don’t know a lot about.
Each diamond sparkles differently and can influence the wearer’s daily style. The shape of the stone can have a traditional and classic look, a vintage edge or even a sleek, modern look that is flawlessly shaped.
When you are looking for the right diamond shape, it is also essential to understand the difference between the ‘shape’ and the ‘cut’ of the diamond. The two terms are often confused, but it is worth noting that they are not synonymous.
What is the cut of a diamond?
The ‘cut’ of a diamond refers to the way the facets of the diamond have been shaped to enhance brilliance, fire and scintillation; factors impacting the overall performance of the stone.
What is the shape of a diamond?
The diamond ‘shape’, however, reflects the actual shapes of the stone. The silhouette of the stone can be referred to as the shape. For example, an emerald-cut stone is usually shaped in a rectangle and can be mistaken to be the same thing, but the cut and shape are both different features of the diamond.
A brilliant-cut diamond has 58 facets to bring out and boost the brilliance and scintillation in a diamond for superior performance. This cut can be used in round, heart, oval and marquise-shaped diamonds.
Now that you understand the difference between the shapes and cut of a stone, let’s browse through some diamond shape options to help you narrow down your choices and decision. Some popular diamond shapes that will beautifully adorn any finger are:
- Marquise
Sometimes known as the Navette cut, the marquise cut is often chosen and loved by brides for the rather imperial and regal feel it exudes. It has a distinguished silhouette that stands out with the help of two curved sides joining at two pointed ends. A rather elegant and graceful play on the rugby ball shape. The shape beautifully creates an illusion of greater size and depth while elongating the finger when set vertically along the length. The marquise is commonly cut with 58 glorious facets to offer a brilliant sparkle.
The delicately pointed ends of the stone mean that this style of diamond, though beautiful in every way, is at a higher risk of chipping and breakage. This should be considered when looking for the ring you want. The stone can also sometimes display the ‘bowtie’ appearance in the middle of the stone. If the diamond is not cut well, this can become very noticeable, a feature that is not ideally the goal of the diamond to showcase.
- Pear
The pear-shaped diamond, as the name suggests, is shaped like a pear. It is more commonly known and addressed as the tear-shaped diamond and displays a hybrid of styles dating back to as far as the 1400s. It is a stunning amalgamation of the oval shape and the marquise shape, with a rounded edge at one side and a point on the other. The unique silhouette of this diamond style exudes a vintage look, perfect for the vintage bride.
If you are after a stone that is dominating and large in size, the pear-shaped diamond usually shows from the top, appearing larger than they are, making it the ideal choice. The single point is undoubtedly prone to chipping, hence, perform best when they have been carefully encrusted in a half-V style or bezel type rings. A luxurious pear-shaped ring by Diamonfire is one such example of the beautiful designs offered in this style of diamonds.
- Oval
A stunning variation of the round diamond, the oval-shaped stone is essentially an elongated version of the round-shaped diamond. It can have as many facets as a round stone, meaning it can shine as bright as the round diamond, but with more grandeur and luxury due to its larger size. With the capacity to shine, the oval-shaped diamond is an extraordinary choice and with the oblong shape, it can help to elongate the look of your fingers.
Just like the marquise stone, the oval diamond can also display the ‘bowtie’ effect if not cut properly. One way to conquer this illusion is to go for the exquisite salt-and-pepper oval diamond. This style features unique specks of white and bac in the diamond creating a beautiful and exclusive effect with each stone.
- Rectangle
A rectangle stone can be chosen from a wide variety of cut and shapes. One diamond available in a rectangular shape is the princess cut diamond. This diamond is widely popular and admired in the engagement ring niche. It boasts a modern, geometrical look. You can also go for a striking cushion cut design as well. As the name suggests, the cushion cut rectangle diamond is often likened to a pillow thanks to its rounded corners. Cushion cuts also have large 58 facets to deliver a superior shine and brilliance, perfect for those who are looking for a contemporary styled jewellery piece.
Another luxurious style in the rectangular shape is the emerald cut diamond. Characterised by its unique emerald-like step-cut design, mimicking an open table, this stone ideally has cropped corners. The angular lines and long silhouette of the stone dramatically catch the light for an exquisite flair, elongating the finger it graces. Though this rectangle diamond is not super flashy, the subtle design is often sought after for a minimal and classy look. Mimicking the emerald-cut, a radiant-cut is similar, but features deeper cuts for those who want the same style but a little bit more sparkle!
- Square
Similar to the rectangle styles, the extravagant princess cuts and cushion cuts can also be decked in stylish square shapes. They can be inscribed with a bezel of smaller diamonds for a luxurious finish, ready to steal your beloved’s heart for another time on your special day!
Exclusive to the square shape is the Asscher cut, a fashion-forward favourite that will elevate your jewellery collection to new heights. The unique, luxurious Asscher cut features an octagonal shape and is similar to the round diamond in the fact that it has large 58 large step facets. The exclusive style is reminiscent of the art deco style and has a symmetrically geometrical design. It is not prone to breakage, does not have sharp edges and is known for a brilliant radiance and sparkle.
- Heart
Though this style is rarely used in engagement rings, this makes them all the more elusive and special. Make a spectacular statement as a solitaire on a sleek, plain band, the heart-shaped stone is perfect for the hopeless romantic. Despite the complicated cut, the diamond offers brilliance and shine along with a contemporary look.
