A Guide to Diamond Shapes

A Guide to Diamond Shapes

When discussing diamonds, people usually use the 4 Cs—cut, color, clarity, and carat. The cut is often mistaken for the shape of the diamond, but in reality, cut refers to the way light is reflected throughout the stone. Shape, on the other hand, is quite literally the shape and appearance of the stone itself, although people will usually describe each shape as “round cut” or “oval cut.” The round cut is the most common shape, but there are nine others to be aware of when picking out diamond jewelry:

Round Cut

As we said, round cut diamonds are the most well-known and the most popular. Due to the way light enters a round stone, the round cut has a greater amount of flexibility when it comes to the 4 Cs than other shapes.

Princess Cut

While the round cut has been around for centuries, the princess cut was developed in the 1980s and is the most popular fancy shape. They have a good deal of flexibility for the 4 Cs, and as such, they’re widely used for engagement rings.

Marquise Cut

The marquise cut is long and narrow, giving it a regal shape that gave it the name “navette” or “little boat” by the court of King Louis XIV of France. Consequently, the diamond looks bigger than it actually is.

Oval Cut

Oval cuts have the same brilliance as round cut diamonds. However, their elongated shape allows for more surface area, creating the illusion of a larger size.

Pear Shaped Cut

A combination of the round and marquise cuts, the pear shaped cut has a slender and delicate appearance that maximizes clarity and brilliance.

Cushion Cut

Also called a pillow cut, the cushion cut diamond looks similar to a cushion with rounded corners and a general square or rectangular shape.

Emerald Cut

As the name suggests, these diamonds are cut in the same way emeralds are, showcasing their color and clarity.

Radiant Cut

This is a combination of the emerald cut and round cut, offering a clear and vibrant stone. The corners are trimmed to bring out the brilliance of the stone.

Asscher Cut

These are often mistaken for emerald cuts due to similar styles, but keep in mind that asschers are square, while emeralds are rectangular.

Heart shaped cut

Last by not least is the heart shaped cut. These are extremely popular as pendants or rings due to their shape, but they do have less than .50 carats.

Looking for the perfect diamond for you or a loved one? Then take a look at the selection we have over at Frank Pollak & Sons.

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