6 Popular Diamond Shapes for Every Bride
Did your “Prince Charming” pop the question over the holidays with the perfect engagement ring? If so, congratulations!
The truth is, there are an overwhelming number of options when it comes to engagement rings, and many couples prefer to start thinking about rings styles once they have decided to plan a future together, and before the grand “surprise” proposal.
If you’re currently in the consideration stage of weighing your options, you should know that the cut of the main stone makes all the difference when it comes to finding your dream engagement ring.
Whether you’re looking for something modern or edgy, something to elongate your fingers, or a piece that sparkles from all angles, it all comes down to the stone cut.
Here are six popular diamond shapes you might want to consider for your engagement ring.
Round Cut
Round-cut diamonds are one of the most common stone cuts for brides-to-be. Wonderfully elegant and sparkly, they’re perfect for brides who love the classics. Thanks to their outstanding light performance and universal shape, round cut rings can work for a variety of settings.
Get the look: Harry Winston’s Brilliant Love Diamond Engagement Ring.
Cushion Cut
Brides who love vintage settings will adore a cushion-cut diamond, which boasts an old-world vibe with plenty of elegant sparkle.
With its square-cut combination with rounded corners, the cushion cut is the perfect choice for brides who favor vintage over modern settings.
It’s been around since the 18th century, and has never wavered in its popularity.
Get the look: Tiffany Soleste® Cushion-cut Double Halo Engagement Ring with Pink Diamonds in Platinum.
Princess Cut
Another widely popular engagement ring style is the princess cut, which features a face-up shape and is either square or rectangle on the sides, giving it a modern, geometrical look with lots of sparkle.
Best of all, a princess cut is generally less expensive than other popular cuts, such as round-cut diamonds.
Get the look: Blue Nile Petite Twist Diamond Engagement Ring.
Pear Cut
Otherwise known as a teardrop, the pear-shaped setting has been dazzling brides as early as the 1400s. As a unique shape, the pear cut is perfect for brides who play by their own rules, instead of tradition or fleeting trends.
In addition to their uniqueness, pear-cut diamonds make your fingers appear longer and more slender. So, if you’re looking for a ring that will elongate your fingers, go for a pear cut setting.
Get the look: Etincelle De Cartier Ring.
Heart Cut
Trendy brides often fall hard for heart cut stones. As an eternal symbol of love, heart-shaped stones are perfect for the hopeless romantic. While heart cuts aren’t traditionally used as engagement rings, they have grown in popularity over the past few years.
That said, if you’re looking for something classic and timeless, this may not be the right ring choice for you.
Get the look: Tiffany’s Heart-shaped Diamond Engagement Ring in Platinum.
Emerald Cut
Emerald cuts are best for brides seeking a more subtle type of sparkle with plenty of elegance. With its rectangular step cut and cropped corners, the emerald cut diamond has more of an understated sparkle and incredible sleekness for brides who favor a less flashy, more low-key brand of femininity.
Vertically set emeralds are also known for making the fingers appear longer and slenderer, so your fingers are guaranteed to look fab in all those engagement ring selfies.
Get the look: Harry Winston’s Tryst Emerald-Cut Diamond Engagement Ring.
About The Author
Debbie Azar is the Co-Founder and President of Gemological Science International (GSI), one of the largest gemological organizations in the world, and a distinguished leader in the global diamond and jewelry industry. As an executive with extensive knowledge of the jewelry and gem lab industries, her entrepreneurial skills and vision have helped GSI achieve rapid and continuous growth worldwide, establishing 13 leading-edge gemological facilities on four continents. She currently serves on the boards of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Responsible Jewellery Council, and Jewelers for Children, and is a member of the 24 Karat Club of New York. She has been featured in Forbes, Daily Mail, Good Morning America, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Businessweek, Fox Business, Fox5, CBS2, BOLDTV, Varney&Co, The Street, and NASDAQ, among others.
