engagement ring and various diamonds

Diamond Shape Basics: The 101 Guide To Finding Your Ideal Cut

ByANYE Designs

Choosing an engagement ring is an exciting and significant decision, but knowing the details about shapes and cuts can really help during the buying process to get your dream ring. Shape and cut are often used interchangeably, both referring to different aspects of a diamond’s appearance. However, the shape of a diamond refers to its physical form and contour, whereas the cut of a diamond pertains to how it has been faceted which impacts its sparkle and overall look. 

By exploring different shapes and understanding their qualities, you can find the perfect ring that reflects your style and personality.

Diamond Cut

Cut specifically refers to how a diamond’s facets are shaped to interact with light. While many tend to mistake cut and shape as the same thing, they are quite different. Shape describes the diamond’s external form-like round, oval, or pear-and cut focuses more on how the diamond reflects and refracts light. The brilliance and sparkle of a diamond heavily depends on the precision of its cut. Skilled craftsmanship is required to make sure the diamond’s proportions, symmetry, and polish are carried out well so it can reflect light beautifully. The finer the cut, the more dazzling and brilliant the diamond will appear to be.

Diamond Cut Grading

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has conducted research about how light interacts with round brilliant cut diamonds to pinpoint the factors that influence their brilliance and sparkle. This led to the development of the GIA Cut Grading System and standardized the quality of a diamond’s cut.

The system evaluates these three aspects:

  • Appearance – Brilliance, fire, and scintillation
  • Design – Focusing on proportions
  • Craftsmanship – Assessing polish and symmetry

Diamonds are then graded on a scale that ranges from Excellent to Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor.

Diamond Cut Characteristics

When evaluated together, these characteristics can define what a high-quality cut of a diamond is.

Polish

Polish refers to the quality of the surface of a diamond after the polishing process. It considers different features like pits or nicks that are graded from Ideal or Excellent to poor, which is listed on a diamond certificate.

Symmetry

The symmetry of a diamond is the precision of a diamond’s shape and the arrangement of its facets. It can be categorized into proportion-related (external) and facet-related (internal) symmetry. Similar to polish, this also can be graded from Ideal or Excellent to Poor and stated on the diamond certificate.

Proportion

Proportion involves the measurements of a diamond’s facets. The proportions have an influence on the overall appearance and the diamond’s ability to reflect light, which contributes to its sparkle.

Brilliance

Also known as brightness, the brilliance of a diamond is the reflection of white light on the inside and outside of the diamond. Diamonds that have been cut with high precision have exceptional brilliance because their facets reflect light in multiple different directions.

Fire 

The scattering of white light into a spectrum of rainbow colors is known as the fire of a diamond. The cut quality of a diamond greatly affects its ability to display fire. Poor cuts cannot refract or scatter light as efficiently in comparison, and white light escapes before it can disperse those flashes of color.

Scintillation

When you put the diamond in light, you’ll see the sparkle and how the light plays as it moves. This effect is created by the contrast between the bright reflections and the darker flashes on the diamond’s surface and inner facets.

Diamond Shape

Engagement ring shapes all come in a variety of styles, each having their own distinct look and feel. These are some of the most popular ten diamond shapes and unique characteristics of each:

  • Round – The round shape is timeless and offers maximum sparkle. It is known for its classical and traditional style, and is one of the most popular choices for engagement rings as the round cut maximizes its brilliance and fire.
  • Oval – This elongated shape gives a modern twist to the classic round diamond. Oval diamonds offer a flattering appearance that can give the fingers a longer and slimmer appearance. They have a touch of elegance with a contemporary style.
  • Pear – Also known as a teardrop shape, pear-shaped diamonds blend the best features of both round and marquise cuts. They have a rounded base with a pointed top, which is stylish and versatile. This also makes them appear larger than their actual carat weight.
  • Marquise – With an elongated shape and pointed ends, the marquise diamond can maximize the carat weight and give an illusion of a larger stone. This offers a more dramatic and elegant look which is ideal for those who want something unique and eye-catching.
  • Cushion – The cushion features rounded corners and brilliant facets, which have a blend of vintage charm and modern appeal. This shape can appear more square or rectangular, with a chunkier look depending on the arrangement of its facets.
  • Emerald – This step-cut shape is known for its rectangular form with beveled corners. The emerald cut can highlight a diamond’s clarity and luster with a “hall of mirrors” effect. 
  • Radiant – Radiant-shaped diamonds combine the angular lines of an emerald cut with the brilliance of a round cut. This cut offers an intense sparkle and works well in many settings.
  • Princess – Princess shapes are a modern and popular choice. It features a sharp, square shape with pointed corners. It has a more vibrant brilliance and combines a contemporary style with a high level of sparkle.
  • Asscher – An asscher cut is a blend of the princess cut and an emerald cut. It is square with deeply trimmed corners and a step-cut facet pattern. It has a lot of vintage charm and has a bold, distinct appearance.
  • Heart – Heart shapes are a more unique and romantic choice, symbolizing love and affection. This shape requires precise cutting to get that perfect symmetry and brilliance, making it a distinctive and challenging shape to create.

Choose The Perfect Shape For Your Engagement Ring

Your engagement ring is a beautiful symbol of your love story, and finding the right diamond can make your ring truly one of a kind. At Anye Designs, we are committed to helping you find the perfect diamond that matches your vision. Our designs are made to order, using raw materials as we pay close attention to detail with our quality craftsmanship. 

We want to help you confidently choose a diamond that will be a timeless piece you cherish forever. Reach out to us today to make an appointment or plan a visit to our showroom in Los Angeles.