7 Engagement Ring Diamond Shapes to Know
Engagement rings make a big statement; they’re literally a promise to marry, and as such, they’re often bigger and more dazzling than the wedding ring itself. Symbolizing eternity, the diamond (whether it’s either a natural one or lab-grown) has long been the go-to stone for the engagement ring. Over the centuries diamond rings have been shaped and cut into exquisite forms. These perfect diamond shapes show off their fire and clarity and can be set off to perfection depending on the hand shape, setting, and finger size the ring is placed on.
These seven diamond shapes for engagement rings are perpetual favorites, and here’s why.
Round Cut Diamond Engagement Rings
When it comes to popularity, the round-cut diamond ring is a classic choice, one that's perpetually at the top of the list.
A round diamond maximizes light reflection and brilliance, also known as the “fire.” This cut is a classic shape that never goes out of style, and it works beautifully in many different ring settings. In fact, there are more pre-made ring settings for round stones versus other shapes.
Another benefit of round brilliant diamonds is that they disguise any flaws or imperfections in the stone. Another name for this phenomenon is that the round diamond appears “eye clean” – meaning that the sparkle and fire of the round shape make the diamond appear nearly perfect to the naked eye.
For their versatility, brilliance, and ability to mask imperfections, a round diamond is more in demand and thus one of the more expensive popular diamond shapes.
Oval Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
The oval diamond ring has been a popular shape dating back to the 14th century.
The oval diamond cut is extremely flattering on the hand, making the fingers look longer and more elegant.
With their numerous facets, oval-cut diamonds give off more brilliance and fire than some other shapes, like a square or rectangular shape. The smooth edges make it stronger and more resistant to chips, and the stone fits beautifully into many kinds of ring settings.
Two other benefits? The oval diamond shape looks bigger than a round stone of the same weight but can cost about 25 percent less.
Pear Shaped Diamond Engagement Ring
The teardrop shape of the pear-shaped diamond is classic but has a modern edge; in essence, it marries tradition with something more contemporary. Part of the appeal of the shape is also in its romantic symbolism: it reflects the “tears” of joy of a couple coming together.
The pear-shaped cut makes the fingers look long and slim and makes a unique style statement. Plus, the way that the stone is cut gives the illusion of size; it covers more surface area of the ring setting, making it appear larger than a stone of the same weight in another shape.
Emerald Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Emerald-cut diamond rings are a sophisticated style, echoing the dazzling Art Deco era – but with a distinctively modern vibe. Their shape looks great on almost every hand, making the fingers appear beautifully long and slim.
The emerald cut offers breathtaking – but subdued – sparkle. The larger facets create a hall-of-mirrors effect, revealing bold flashes of light emanating from the heart of the stone. However, this cut can also reveal imperfections more than other cuts. If you choose an emerald cut for your engagement ring, you’ll want a stone with high clarity.
Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
For engagement rings, the cushion-cut diamond blends a little bit of a square shape, with a little bit of a round shape. The overall effect is soft and pillowy, and the rounded edges make the stone less prone to chipping.
Cushion-cut stones give off a softer, more romantic glow with a bit less dazzle than some other cuts such as the round stone. But it still offers lovely “fire” at its heart. Another advantage to a cushion-cut diamond, with its gently rounded corners, is that it can be more affordable and a better value than a round diamond of the same weight.
Marquise Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
The marquise cut dates back to the 18th century when King Louis XV of France commissioned a ring design with a diamond cut into a unique shape that resembled the lips of his lover. One of the most unique diamond shapes, this cut has retained its elegance and sophistication ever since, making it a popular choice. With its pointed ends, it offers a non-traditional look, but has a vintage aspect; plus, the elongated shape looks beautiful on the hand.
The distinctive shape of the marquise cut makes the stone appear bigger than it is as it uses more of the raw diamond during the cutting process. For this reason, it’s an excellent value for the perceived size.
Radiant Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
The radiant cut ring is square or rectangular with beveled corners. This allows it to capture light and then reflect it in an especially dazzling fashion. This cut was first created back in the 1970s and is based on other “step-cut” shapes like the emerald cut. The result is a stone with brilliant sparkle and a modern twist.
The geometric shape and clean lines of this cut make the diamond appear larger, thus making it more affordable than stones of a similar weight. Plus, the cropped corners make the diamond less prone to chips versus other rectangular cuts.
Conclusion
Choosing from among the many types of engagement rings doesn’t have to be overwhelming or confusing. Capucelli offers fine jewelry without the expensive markups, plus our experts are more than happy to walk you through the different stone cuts and make recommendations for the perfect shape. We also offer custom-made rings if you’re looking for something to suit the personal style of that one-of-a-kind person.
No matter what kind of ring you choose, remember these four “C”s – cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Each of the popular stone cuts that we’ve described shows off the color and clarity of the diamond to its best. Some make the most of the carat weight, giving the illusion of a much larger stone and offering you more for your money.
Keep in mind, too, that we offer bespoke diamonds: high-quality lab-grown stones. These stones are created under similar conditions (such as pressure) that produce natural diamonds. However, they’re far more sustainable and ethical (and affordable!) than those that are pulled from the earth.
When shopping for engagement rings, make Capucelli your first destination. We’re here to help you explore different diamond shapes for engagement rings and ensure that you get the perfect one to suit the wearer's personality. We want them to love the ring (and you) for life!
