Diamond Cut Shapes: A Guide to Finding the Perfect Sparkle

13 March 2025 • 5 min read

Diamonds come in a dazzling array of shapes, each with its own personality, brilliance, and appeal. Whether you’re searching for an engagement ring, a special piece of jewellery, or just want to understand what makes one diamond sparkle more than another, knowing about diamond cuts is essential. In this guide, we’ll take you through the most popular diamond shapes, their unique characteristics, and how to choose the right one for you.

What Is a Diamond Cut?

Before we dive into the different diamond shapes, let’s clear up a common misconception: “cut” and “shape” are not the same thing.

• Diamond cut refers to how well a diamond’s facets interact with light. This affects its brilliance, fire, and scintillation (basically, how much it sparkles).
• Diamond shape is the overall geometric form of the diamond, like round, oval, or princess.

A well-cut diamond will reflect light beautifully, no matter its shape. Now, let’s explore the different shapes and what makes each one special.

The Most Popular Diamond Shapes

1. Round Brilliant Cut – The Classic Choice

The round brilliant cut is the most popular diamond cut shape, known for its unmatched sparkle. With 58 precision-cut facets, this shape is designed to reflect maximum light, making it the most brilliant of all diamond cuts.

Why Choose It?

• Timeless and elegant
• Offers the most brilliance and fire
• Works with almost any ring setting

Best For: Those who love classic, timeless jewellery with maximum sparkle.

2. Oval Cut – The Elegant Stunner

The oval diamond is a modern classic diamond shape that offers the brilliance of a round cut but with a more elongated shape. Its elongated design creates the illusion of a larger stone, making it a popular choice for engagement rings.

Why Choose It?

• Makes fingers appear longer and more slender
• Offers great brilliance with a unique shape
• Looks larger than a round diamond of the same carat weight

Best For: Those who want a unique but timeless diamond with a little extra flair.

3. Princess Cut – The Modern Favourite

The princess cut is the most popular square-shaped diamond, offering a contemporary yet brilliant look. With sharp edges and a geometric design, it’s a perfect blend of modern style and sparkle.

Why Choose It?

• More affordable than round diamonds (less diamond wastage when cutting)
• Offers excellent brilliance and fire
• Looks great in solitaire and halo settings

Best For: Someone who loves sleek, modern aesthetics but still wants a dazzling sparkle.

Cushion Cut – The Vintage Beauty

With its soft, rounded edges and pillow-like shape, the cushion cut is a favourite for vintage-inspired designs. It has larger facets that enhance brilliance and give off a romantic, antique vibe.

Why Choose It?

• A perfect mix of vintage and modern charm
• High brilliance with a unique, softer sparkle
• Works beautifully with halo and vintage settings

Best For: Anyone who loves vintage glamour and soft, romantic designs.

5. Emerald Cut – The Regal Statement

Unlike other cuts that focus on brilliance, the emerald cut is all about clarity and sophistication. With its step-cut facets and rectangular shape, this cut creates a hall-of-mirrors effect, offering a sleek and elegant look.

Why Choose It?

• Highlights a diamond’s clarity
• Creates a sophisticated and luxurious look
• Looks stunning in solitaire or three-stone settings

Best For: Those who love understated elegance and timeless sophistication.

6. Marquise Cut – The Dramatic Choice

The marquise diamond is an elongated shape with pointed ends, creating a dramatic and bold look. This unique shape makes the diamond appear larger than other cuts of the same carat weight.

Why Choose It?

• Maximises carat size for a larger appearance
• Offers a unique and regal look
• Makes fingers look longer and more slender

Best For: Those who want a dramatic, attention-grabbing ring.

7. Pear Cut – The Unique Teardrop

The pear-shaped diamond (also known as the teardrop cut) combines the best of the round and marquise cuts. With one rounded and one pointed end, this shape is both elegant and distinctive.

Why Choose It?

• Offers a unique and sophisticated look
• Can be worn with the tip pointing up or down for different styles
• Provides excellent brilliance

Best For: Anyone who loves unique, statement jewellery with a touch of elegance.

8. Asscher Cut – The Vintage Art Deco Favourite

The asscher cut is similar to the emerald cut but with a square shape. Popular in Art Deco jewellery, it has a vintage feel with deep step cuts that create a “hall of mirrors” effect.

Why Choose It?

• A sophisticated, vintage-inspired choice
• Highlights diamond clarity beautifully
• Works well in antique-style settings

Best For: Lovers of vintage and Art Deco jewellery with a refined sense of style.

How to Choose the Right Diamond Shape for You

With so many stunning options, how do you pick the perfect diamond shape? Here are some tips:

1. Consider Your Style:

   • Love classic elegance? Round or cushion cut.
   • Prefer something modern? Princess or emerald cut.
   • Want something unique? Marquise, pear, or oval cut.

2. Think About Your Hand Shape:

   • Short fingers? Elongated shapes like oval or marquise create length.
   • Long fingers? Round, cushion, or princess cuts add balance.

3. Set a Budget:

   • Round diamonds are the most expensive due to high demand.
   • Princess and cushion cuts can offer great value.

4. Match It With a Ring Setting:

   • Solitaire settings highlight the diamond’s shape.
   • Halo settings add extra sparkle.
   • Three-stone settings create a bold look.

Find Your Perfect Diamond at Ernesto Buono

At Ernesto Buono Fine Jewellery, we understand that choosing a diamond is a personal journey. Whether you’re drawn to the classic brilliance of a round cut or the unique elegance of a pear shape, we have an exquisite collection of handcrafted engagement rings to suit your style.

Explore our collection in-store or online.
Follow us on Instagram for inspiration!
Visit our website to book a consultation with our expert jewellers.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right diamond shape is about more than just sparkle—it’s about finding a shape that speaks to your style and personality. Whether you go for the timeless round cut or a bold marquise diamond, the perfect diamond is the one that makes your heart skip a beat.

FAQs About Diamond Shapes

1. What diamond shape sparkles the most?

The round brilliant cut has the most sparkle due to its 58 facets, which are designed to reflect light beautifully.

2. Which diamond shape looks the biggest?

Marquise, oval, and pear cuts tend to appear larger than other shapes of the same carat weight due to their elongated form.

3. What is the most expensive diamond shape?

Round brilliant cuts are typically the most expensive due to their high demand and the amount of rough diamond lost during cutting.

4. What is the best setting for an oval diamond?

Oval diamonds look stunning in solitaire, halo, and three-stone settings as they enhance their brilliance and elegant shape.

5. Can I customise my diamond ring at Ernesto Buono?

Yes! We offer bespoke jewellery services to create your dream ring with your preferred diamond shape, setting, and metal.