Diamond Shape Guide

Cushion

Also known as the ‘pillow cut,’ the cushion is an antique cut that has both a classic and romantic appeal. The cushion-cut diamond has 58 larger facets and rounded corners that boost its brilliance. This cut comes in both square and rectangular variations.

Emerald

The beloved emerald cut has a unique pavilion that is cut with rectangular facets to create a distinctive optical appearance. Due to its large, open table, this diamond shape best showcases the clarity of a diamond. The blocked corners are usually cut to a rectangular outline but can also be cut in a square shape. This cut can vary greatly in rectangularity. If your preference is for an emerald cut with a squared outline, look instead at the Asscher cut diamond.

Marquise

The marquise cut is another brilliant cut. Its elongated shape can maximize the carat weight, giving you a larger carat weight per stone. With narrow points at both ends of the diamond, this shape has a flattering effect on the finger, making it appear longer. This shape works well in a solitaire setting or when paired with beautiful side stones.

Oval

The oval cut has beautiful brilliance very similar to a round-brilliant cut. An oval shape combines the sparkle of the round shapes with a finger slimming, elongated outline. It is a good choice for someone who wants something more unique but still wants the fire and brilliance of a round cut diamond. The relatively symmetrical shape lends itself well to a variety of mounting styles. Most oval cuts work in a mounting with six prongs properly spaced for security.

Pear

The less common but visually interesting pear-shaped diamond is a unique variation of the round diamond cut. Like the round diamond cut, 58 facets allow the light to pass through the stone. It is a popular choice for many solitaire diamond engagement rings or diamond rings with side stones.

Princess

The princess cut is the second most popular diamond shape because of its modern classic shape which offers clean lines and immense sparkle. Depending on the cut, a princess diamond has either a square or rectangular appearance. The cutting process utilizes the step-cutting of the emerald cut with the triangular facets of the brilliant cut. Princess cuts work best in a prong or channel setting.

Square Cushion

This diamond shape combines a square cut with rounded corners, lending it a pillow-like appearance. This classic cut has been around for almost 200 years, and for the first century of it's existence, it was the most popular diamond shape (similar to round cut today).

Square Radiant

The radiant cut diamond is the first square cut to have a complete brilliant-cut facet pattern applied to both the crown and pavilion. The result is a vibrant and lively square diamond. The cropped corner square shape of the radiant is a nice bridge between a cushion and a princess cut. It is a versatile cut and looks beautiful set with both rounded and square cornered diamonds.

Straight Baguette

This elongated, rectangular step cut can be set either north-south or east-west. When set north-south, they are commonly staggered on top of each other, forming a ladder-like element. This is the only way they could appear in a modern ring. Setting it in any other way would result in an Art Deco look.

Tapered Baguette

These are the most common side stones used in engagement rings. Some might argue that a ring with tapered baguettes should not be called a three stone ring, but instead, a solitaire. This is because baguettes are really not an extension of the center stone. They are set on the ‘cathedral' part of the shank.