Diamond Cut: Discover The Diamond Shapes



When choosing a diamond, the shape is one of the most important decisions you will make. A diamond’s shape not only defines its overall style but also how it reflects light, sparkles, and sits on the hand.

Whether you prefer something trend-forward or classic, we're sharing the cuts you'll want to consider when shopping for an engagement ring. A well-cut diamond displays the unique sparkle we associate with diamond.

Many people often mistake a diamond’s shape (round, rectangular, oval) with its cut. But diamond cut is more than shape. The cut evaluates a diamond’s proportions, symmetry, and polish, which combine to deliver the magnificent return of light only possible in a diamond.

Round Brilliant

The Round Brilliant is by far the most popular diamond shape, chosen for over 70% of engagement rings worldwide. Its enduring appeal comes from its perfect proportions and unrivalled sparkle. With 57 or 58 precisely aligned facets, the Round Brilliant is engineered to maximise light reflection, giving it the most fire and brilliance of any diamond cut.

This classic shape is also the most versatile, suiting almost every style of ring setting, from elegant solitaires to vintage-inspired halos. Whether set in platinum, yellow gold, or rose gold, a Round Brilliant diamond retains its timeless beauty.

Another reason for its popularity is its symmetry and balance: the circular outline looks equally stunning on all hand shapes and sizes, and it offers a perfect balance of tradition and modern elegance.

Oval Shape

Oval diamonds are a favorite for many, and for good reason. Their elongated shape offers a larger surface area than round diamonds of the same carat weight, creating the illusion of a bigger, more impressive stone. This visual impact, combined with their graceful silhouette, gives oval diamonds a soft, romantic allure that naturally draws attention.

One of the standout benefits of an oval cut diamond is its flattering effect on the hand—it can make fingers appear longer and more slender, enhancing the overall elegance of the ring.

From a practical standpoint, oval diamonds are a smart choice too. Unlike shapes with sharp corners (like princess or marquise cuts), the smooth, rounded edges of an oval make it less prone to chipping, increasing its durability for everyday wear.

Radiant Cut


Looking for a diamond that combines the elegance of an emerald cut with the brilliance of a round? Radiant-cut diamonds offer the best of both worlds. With their cropped corners and 70-facet structure, radiant diamonds deliver extraordinary sparkle and a modern, sophisticated look.

True to its name, a radiant-cut diamond—invented in 1977 by Henry Grossbard—catches the light in a big way. The shape mimics an emerald-cut stone, but the unique, deep-cut facets allow for extra sparkle.
A radiant cut diamond is perfect for someone who wants a ring that blends glamour with strength — luminous, modern, and full of life.

Princess Cut

If you’re searching for a diamond that has a lot of brightness and is somewhat less conventional than the standard round brilliant, a princess cut diamond might be perfect for you.

The best part about choosing a princess-cut diamond? You'll get a more modern and geometric look while still boasting a ton of brilliance—and they're generally much less expensive than the more popular round-cut stones.

There is one thing to remember, though: It's important to choose a protective setting for this shape. Princess cuts are often mounted as solitaires in four-prong settings, but bezel settings are also popular. Either of these setting styles will help protect the corners from chipping.

Typically cut with 57–76 facets, it is designed to maximise light return, making it one of the most brilliant square shapes available.

Marquise Cut

The marquise cut is popular for its regal feel—well, that and the fact that Selena Gomez received a marquise-cut diamond engagement in December of 2024, helping the shape surge in popularity ever since.

Its distinctive silhouette is marked by curved sides and pointed ends. Its long shape flatters the finger, often appearing larger than diamonds of the same carat weight. With 58 facets, similar to a round brilliant, it delivers exceptional fire and brilliance.

At Appleby, every marquise cut diamond is carefully selected for symmetry, brilliance, and balance. The proportions are particularly important with this shape—perfectly aligned points and an even curve enhance the stone’s sparkle and avoid any “bow-tie” effect.

Pear Cut Shape

The pear-shaped diamond (or teardrop) is a hybrid of styles that dates back as early as the 1400s. Taking its cues from both the oval and marquise, this unique shape is a perfect choice for vintage lovers who play by their own set of rules and think that two is better than one. Fittingly, Margot Robbie selected this modern, fashion-forward style for her engagement ring.

Since more of the stone shows from the top view, pear-shaped diamonds tend to appear larger than they are, so if size matters to you, this cut is a great choice.

Emerald Cut

The Emerald cut diamond is instantly recognisable for its elegant rectangular shape and step-cut facets. Unlike brilliant cuts that emphasise sparkle, the emerald cut showcases a more subtle, mirrored brilliance often described as a “hall of mirrors” effect. With its large, open table and long, clean lines, this shape highlights a diamond’s clarity and depth, making it a favourite for those who appreciate sophistication and understated glamour. However, because it has fewer facets to distract from blemishes, the clarity holds more importance.

First developed in the Art Deco era, the emerald cut carries a sense of vintage refinement while still feeling modern and architectural. Its elongated outline flatters the hand, creating a sleek and graceful look that is as stylish today as it was a century ago. Because it is less sparkly than other shapes, it offers a bold, confident aesthetic that appeals to those with distinctive taste.

Cushion Cut Diamonds

Cushion cut diamonds are the perfect combination of the old world and the new. It’s a traditional cut with modern appeal and a history that saw it almost become obsolete. One of the most famous diamonds in the world is a cushion cut, and this cutting style has made a triumphant return to prominence. Now considered a modern favorite for engagement rings, see why a cushion cut ring epitomizes romance and charm.

The modern-day cushion cut owes its faceting design to an antique diamond cut known as the old mine cut. This cut dates back to the 1700s, but was made famous again recently with Taylor Swifts engagement ring.

FAQ

Cut refers to how well a diamond’s facets are proportioned and finished — this affects brilliance, sparkle, and fire. Shape refers to the outline or form of the diamond (round, oval, emerald, cushion, princess, etc.).

The round brilliant cut is by far the most popular, known for maximum sparkle and timeless elegance. Other favourites include oval, cushion, and emerald cuts, which are often chosen for their distinctive character.

Oval, marquise, and pear-shaped diamonds often appear larger than round diamonds of the same carat weight because of their elongated shape. A round brilliant is more compact but delivers unmatched sparkle.

Yes. Shapes like oval, pear, emerald, and marquise can often be less expensive per carat than round brilliants because less rough diamond is lost in cutting.

Oval, pear, and marquise shapes elongate the finger and give a slender effect. Wider shapes like cushion or round can make fingers look shorter but offer a bold, balanced look.

The average carat size for a diamond engagement ring is around one carat.

Yes. Shapes with pointed corners (princess, marquise, pear) can be more prone to chipping if not properly set. Round, oval and cushion cuts are generally the most durable.

The round brilliant cut has the most sparkle due to its 58 precise facets, designed to maximise light reflection. Princess and cushion cuts are also known for exceptional brilliance.

Elongated shapes such as oval, pear, and marquise diamonds tend to look larger than their carat weight, as they cover more surface area on the finger.

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