The classic and most popular of diamond shapes, accounting for more than 75% of all diamonds sold! This is the diamond undoubtedly most recognized for its magnificence and splendor.Shapes other than the round brilliant shown are called fancy shapes or fancy cuts
In 1919, Marcel Tolkosky, used the round Hearts & Arrows shape as a focus for major research, because it is the most open to the maximization of the light display. To this day this shape is most researched and the only one which receives highly specific grading.
The impeccable brilliant cut make its sparkle, fire and brilliance the best possible! When clarity and color are equal, a round diamond will have greater worth than the other shapes.
The Round Hearts & Arrows shape has been linked to the personality characteristics of warmth, empathy, and dependability.
The Princess 53 Cut
This is the second most popular form for a diamond, a square shape with angled corners of 90degrees.
It was created in the late 1970s in Los Angeles and is cut for maximum light reflection.
The most sought after Princess Diamonds are completely square, while variations of the princess stone are longer on the sides and more rectangular (and usually less valuable).
Born to have the brilliance of the round shape diamond it suits people with a taste for symmetry.
This stone looks at home in almost any setting and is a beautiful variation of the standard round without losing the diamond look. The Princess shape is linked with the traits of confidence and independence.
The Radiant 69 Cut
Radiant is another square or rectangular diamond shape (as is the princess) but with angled, cut off edges, a combination of the round and emerald cuts. Another newcomer to the diamond world it was created less than 30 years ago.
This shape is truly “radiant” with tremendous light return; one who appreciates the sparkle of round diamonds and the individual symmetry of the emerald shape, will find the radiant a wonderful blend of both.
Its compact symmetry may give the illusion of petite fingers, making it ideal for those who want a lighter effect. With a personality trait of wisdom, the radiant is characterized as full of spirit and high energy.
The Oval 65 Cut
This shape brings with it an eternal class, flattering the hand of its bearer and giving the optical image of longer fingers. It is similar to the “round” but longer and far less common.
Its lengthy oval shape gives an aura of a diamond larger even than a round of similar carat weight and showing similar brilliance. It also gives the optical image of longer fingers.
It is not egg-like at all, but more elliptical in shape and the cut of this stone is very important as it is on the “similar” Marquise.
The oval can replace a round in just about any setting!
Personal traits that are linked to the oval shape are creativity and courage.
The Marquise 59 Cut
The marquise shape is like an oval with the tips coming elegantly together at a point. Its appealing elongated shape and points make it appear larger it really is, with more size per carat weight than other shapes. This shape will lengthen the fingers it rests upon.
The Marquise dates back to the Sun King, Louis XIV . History recounts that he wanted a shape that would mimic the alluring smile of his said mistress, the Marquise of Pompadour.
The Marquise shape has become particularly popular for engagement rings, as a solitaire stand alone or accompanied by intricate side stones.
Character traits associated with the Marquise shape are ambition and innovation.
The Pear 56 Cut
The pear shaped diamond is like a teardrop in form, reminiscent of a pure drop of water.
A beautiful blend of the Oval and Marquise, it bears the fluid rounded edge on top and the definitive point on the bottom.
Chic and sophisticated with a delicate feel to it, one can easily relate this magnificent shaped diamond to the Greek myth that diamonds are the “Teardrops of the Gods”
This is a popular diamond style for all types of settings – pendants, teardrop earrings and of course rings!
The Emerald 41 Cut
The emerald shaped Diamond is similar outwardly to the Radiant, but vastly different in that it is a step cut diamond (like the Asscher and Baguette). This was originally the accepted way for the emerald gemstone to be cut and subsequently adopted for cutting diamonds, hence the name “Emerald Shape”.
This cut gives the emerald shape a look as if walking through a hallway lined with mirrors, reflecting off each other, differing to the modern sparkle of other “brilliant” diamond shapes. It makes up for the lack of brilliance by the crystal clarity of its vast, open table. This makes it important that it should maintain a higher quality of color and clarity.
The emerald cut, beautiful and precise, has an unmatched elegance and old world charm that a brilliant will not possess.
The Asscher 73 Cut
The Asscher was created in 1902 by the famous diamond cutter Joseph Asscher of the Royal Asscher Diamond Company.
This diamond shape is almost identical to the emerald, but square rather than rectangular, thus it is fittingly sometimes referred to as the “square emerald”.
This Diamond is also cut with the step cut method and has cropped corners – giving it an almost octagonal look.
Clarity is important with its mirror like tendencies, the Asscher is bright, shiny and clear.
Extremely stylish, this shape brings an air of antique vintage. Striking and dramatic, the Asscher incorporates the 1920s-1930s Art Deco design style.
Traits associated with the Asscher shape are Dignity and Elegance.
The Cushion 77 Cut
The Cushion shape is like a square where the sides and corners have been rounded out – a hybrid of the Old Miner cut and the more modern cuts, sometimes brilliant cut or step cut. It may be described as a softer emerald shape.
Typically recognized as an “antique” shape, the cushion has been around since the 1830s. At one point it lost its popularity but with new technology in cutting, it is becoming a trendy character filled shape, retaining a vintage charisma. It is shows good light performance and brilliance under low lighting.
The Cushion cut’s character traits are indicative of its current progress. It is modern yet traditional. It can be either soft or loud, but always elegant.
The Heart 54 Cut
The Heart shaped diamond is easily the most romantic of the diamond shapes. The symbolic shape of the heart diamond instantly evokes the innocence and purity of love. It is due to this that the heart shape diamond has become such a popular shape, especially around Valentine’s Day as well as dates marking personal relationship milestones.
The origin of the heart shape can be found with the pear shape diamond. Look closely at the heart shape diamond and notice that it is quite similar to the pear shape. This is not simply a coincidence, it often begins as a pear shape that has an inclusion within the rounded end. The portion with the inclusion is removed, thus creating the heart shape. It is essential that the heart shaped diamond must have a highly skilled cutter to insure that the distinctive lobes are balanced, smooth, and well defined, all the while retaining a brilliant shine.
The heart is a man-made diamonds stimulants shape which clearly gives over a message of love and contentment.
Personalities drawn to the heart shape of diamond tend to be sentimental, sensitive, and romantic.
The Triangle 37 Cut
The trilliant (triangle-brilliant) is a daring and bold shape, also referred to as trillion. A relatively new shape, it was originally created in Amsterdam in the late 70’s and once a trademarked cut by the Henry Meyer Diamond Company. It has equilateral sides but may be a conventional triangle shape with pointed corners or softer and rounded at the edges, differing according to the choice of the cutter. When of excellent quality it makes for a dazzling centre stone. Trilliants can also be gorgeous side stones to “square-type” centre stones like Radiant, Cushion or Princess.
Personality type: confident and adventurous.
The Baguette Cut
The baguette is usually used as a side stone. Similar to the Emerald but with different facets and with pointed corners, it usually comes in smaller weights.
The downplayed display of fire and energy is what enables it to be a fantastic accent stone. It quietly adds more fire to a larger centerpiece.
Baguette Cut diamonds are usually less expensive than other diamonds.
Half Moon & Crescent Shaped Diamonds
The baguette may be more popular, but any article about diamond shapes would be remiss to leave out these fancy side stones. Half moons are exactly what they sound like, half circles. Crescents are also partial moons, but they are curves like a new moon.
The shape are used most commonly as side stones with engagement rings. The key is getting a matching pair.