Decoding the 10 most popular diamond shapes — from round to radiant

We dig deep, so you can shine on

One of the best parts of getting engaged (other than finding someone to share your life with, of course), is getting to wear a beautiful diamond ring on that finger. Sure, there are plenty who balk at diamond rings, or rings all together. But those who don’t, know what I’m talking about —  the endless excitement and joy at getting to wear your heart on your well, ring. And sometimes, finding the perfect ring can be as hard as finding the perfect match. Step 1 in making sure your ring is going to make you as happy as your fiancé does, is getting intimate with the most popular diamond shapes.

Looking to drop hints to your boyfriend? Choosing rings for each other? Ready to propose? This guide will break down the delicate difference between diamond shapes and cut, and will shape up to be the only guide you need to pick from the most popular diamond shapes.

Those who aren’t walking down the aisle and simply want to splurge on the affordable luxury of lab-diamond jewellery — pick your favourite shape and wear it as a dainty pendant, earrings or even as part of your bracelet.

The difference between diamond shape and diamond cut

Confused about the difference between a diamond shape and a cut? Heard them used interchangeably and got more bewildered? Let’s break it down.

The shape is the outline of the diamond when being seen face up — it refers to its geometric appearance. There are two major categories when it comes to popular diamond shapes: round diamonds and fancy-shaped diamonds — the former is the most popular and traditional, so, is in its own category. Fancy-shaped diamonds include princess, heart, emerald, and more.

The cut, however is one of the 4Cs of diamond quality — along with clarity, colour, and carat. According to the International Gem Society, the cut is a measure of how well a diamond reflects light. It is a technical assessment, and reflects the diamond’s facets, symmetry, dimensions, and reflective qualities, influencing its brilliance. The finer the cut, the greater the brilliance. A diamond cut grade can be anything from poor to excellent.

Step-cut diamonds are cut with rectangular (or square) facets that graduate from the diamond’s face like a set of steps, while brilliant-cut diamonds are diamonds that are cut and polished with angular facets (flat surfaces on the diamond) to create lots of shine and sparkle. Mixed cuts combine the two. The most popular step-cut diamonds are Emerald and Asscher, while Round, Pear, Oval, Marquise and Heart are brilliant-cut. Cushion, Princess, and Radiant technically fall under the mixed-cut category. Both mined and lab-grown diamonds are cut using the same methods.

Let’s put it this way — once you pick your favourite shape, focus on the four 4Cs, then setting, then metal usage… and so on.

In this article, we break down the most popular diamond shapes, to help get your basics right.

Plus, we’re picking our favourite pieces from Everbrite Jewellery’s collection of lab-grown diamonds, so you can get a taste of affordable luxury.

Top picks of sparklers based on popular diamond shapes

1. Round (circular): Like the infinite circle they represent, they’re infinitely popular and ideal for making lifelong declarations of love. Experts claim that the shape makes it prime for optimum reflection of light, accounting for its brilliance and title as the crown jewel of popular diamond shapes. Not, to mention its popularity amongst romantics and their concept of eternal love.

If you’re into classics like Parineeti Chopra and her timeless round diamond, Everbrite Jewellery’s Round Braided Engagement Ring is for you. The 0.50 ct Solitaire Diamond Pendant is a well-rounded addition to your jewellery box too.

2. Princess: Princess-shape diamonds have a square silhouette and are known for their sharp corners. These corners, and minimalist vibe are perfect for those who love clean lines — usually, a princess diamond ring is set with four prongs on each corner, to protect it from chipping. The Princess Solitaire Ring is the soul match for that regal girl. The dainty Princess Grace Diamond Earrings perfectly complement it.

3. Emerald: Distinctive, and elegant, the shape is a rectangle step-cut with bevelled corners and fits in with Art-Deco-inspired engagement rings as the streamlined silhouettes pay homage to the Art Deco designs of the 1920s and 1930s.This shape reflects an understated mirror-like look, not the shiny sparkle of other shapes — there’s No Doubt in our minds it’s a classic. The subtle, Classic Emerald Solitaire lets the shape take all the glory while the Emerald Diamond Necklace is for when you want to be the showstopper.

4. Radiant: A popular diamond shape, it unites the shape of the Emerald and the brilliance of the round cut, as seen in the Bold Radiant Engagement Ring. And Gwen Stefani attests.

5. Cushion: A square or rectangle shape but with soft, rounded corners, perfect for the soft girl aesthetic and for longevity, since its curves make it more durable. The Cushion Engagement Ring is an instant classic as are the Regal Diamond Earrings. Singer John Legend based his song All of Me on his relationship with his wife, and presented her with a stunning cushion-shape diamond ring — while a paramour that writes lyrics is pretty romantic, we’d be happy with just the ring too.

6. Oval: A more contemporary take on the classic round shape, this elongated silhouette is flattering on most finger types, whether you have long artistic fingers or short ones.

Opt for this shape if you want the illusion of a larger sized diamond while bearing the same weight and carat as a round shape. The Serene Oval Engagement is our ring pick, while the modern Bold Slant Oval Bangle is timeless and pretty. Model Hailey Bieber Baldwin, married to Justin Bieber, flaunts a giant oval ring, as does Kiara Advani — even if your husband isn’t an ex-teenage heartthrob, or current Bollywood star, you can always dream big.

7. Marquise: A pointed elongated oval-shaped diamond that is more contemporary and tends to look bigger because of its shape. This popular diamond shape is for the unique, statement-making bride. The Tulip Marquise Engagement Ring and Regal Marquise Diamond Pendant are ripe for the picking. Fun fact: The ‘marquise’ allegedly comes from the Marquise of Pompadour, whose perfectly-shaped mouth inspired Louis XIV of France to have a stone created in said shape.

8. Pear: Blending round and marquise styles to create a tapered teardrop, like the oval and marquise, the extended shape helps give in an illusion of a larger size and it elongates the finger when worn with the taper pointing up. If you’re keen on a fresh new look rather than a traditional shape, opt for with the Spectacular Pear Diamond Ring. Or wrap the Lucent Pear Flexi Bangle around your wrist. Heeramandi star Aditi Rao Hydari was regal enough for two stones, but you can opt for just the pear diamond as well.

9. Heart: A literal representation of love — a heart-shaped diamond. Sinuous and curvy, it’s the most obvious and least traditional shape for a classic engagement ring, so it’s not for the faint of well, heart. If you’re going big by picking the heart shape, go bold too, with the Heartfelt Love Engagement Ring. If the ring isn’t your thing, but the shape is, opt for the Heart Solitaire Earrings.

10. Asscher: A unique shape — rounded square with step-cut facets that produce optical properties that look like a ‘hall of mirrors’, like its Emerald cousin, the Asscher is for those with a contemporary flair. Opt for the Bold Asscher Engagement Ring for its modern aesthetic, and the Striking Asscher Halo Pendant that pairs well with it.