Choosing the shape of the diamond for your ring is a matter of personal choice/taste. However, there are three considerations you should take when choosing the ideal diamond shape. First and foremost, how would the shape of the diamond look on your wife’s/fiancée’s hand? As a generally guideline, we always advise that you look for round or princess shape diamonds for women with a small hand whilst a pear or oval shape diamonds for long slender fingers. The fundamental reason behind this is so that the diamond does not cover the fingers too much (though some people would think otherwise and go for the opposite nevertheless). Do take note that a more elaborate or sophisticated setting for the ring would not look good on a small hand as it would not appear very graceful. Secondly, a different shape of an identical carat diamond could appear differently in their perceived sizes due to the different surface areas. For example, an emerald shape diamond would look larger than a round shape diamond for the same Carat (Yes guys, I know what you are thinking at this juncture). Lastly, all diamond shapes have their own unique characteristics and can be beautiful if they are cut well. However, do take note of the “bow-tie” effect which is more obvious in longer shapes. In longer shapes, a small zone is the center allows for light to leak out, resulting in a darker area in the shape of a bow-tie which could affect its overall brilliance. Below, we also have short abstracts and some tips on the qualities to look out for the different diamond shapes.

____________________________________________________________________________

Round

The most popular shape for diamond is inevitably round and due for this reason, it is also most researched shape. Diamond cutters have been using advanced theories of light behavior and precise mathematical calculations to optimize the fire and brilliance in a round diamond for the past 100 years or so. In addition to being the most popular and researched shape, a round diamond is more flexibility in terms of balancing cut, color, and clarity grades while still getting the fire and brilliance you want.

Tips: To maximize the brilliance of a traditional round diamond, select one in the two highest cut grades, ideal or very good, and choose ideal, excellent, or very good polish and symmetry grades.

____________________________________________________________________________

Princess

The second runner-up for popularity goes to the princess shape diamond! Its beautiful brilliance and unique cut makes it a favourite for engagement rings. The princess has pointed corners (so please be careful with ladies armed with this!) and is traditionally square in shape. Due to the octahedron nature of this shape, it is the closest to the natural formation of rough diamonds and cutters lose the least amount of the original diamond compared to when cutting a round diamond. This normally results in a lower priced princess diamond in contrast to a similar round diamond. When choosing a color grade, consider that while the price of a J-color princess diamond is exceptional, color may be slightly visible in its corners. In addition, princess diamonds can vary greatly in how square or rectangular they are when viewing it from above and this is measured by its length to width ratio. Here are length-to-width ratios for princess diamond shapes that are pleasing to the eye.

Tips: For a princess diamond that is square, look for length-to-width ratios between 1 and 1.05. If you prefer more of a rectangular shape, look for length-to-width ratios greater than 1.10.

____________________________________________________________________________

Emerald

What is unique to this shape is its pavilion, which is cut into rectangular facets to create a distinctive optical appearance. Due to its larger and open table, this shape focuses on the clarity of a diamond. Hence if you choose an emerald shape diamond with a lower clarity grade, such as SI, make sure to evaluate the clarity plot on the diamond certificate. Similar to the case of the princess diamond, emerald diamonds can vary greatly in how rectangular they are. If you prefer an emerald diamond with a squared outline, look for an Asscher diamond instead (the next shape after this). The length-to-width ratio will determine the diamond’s outline, or what it will look like when viewed from the top.

Tips: For the classic emerald diamond, look for a length-to-width ratio between 1.30 and 1.40.

_____________________________________________________________________

Asscher

Tips: All Asscher-cut diamonds will appear square, because each one usually has a length-to-width ratio between 1.00 and 1.05.
____________________________________________________________________________

Marquise

The shape of a marquise diamond can maximize carat weight, giving a much larger-looking diamond (Guys, please dim down that light bulb above your head). The marquise diamond looks beautiful set with round or pear-shaped side stones, and the length of the marquise makes fingers appear long and slender. The length-to-width ratio will determine the diamond’s outline, and how it will be viewed on top.

Tips: For the most traditional marquise-cut diamonds, look for length-to-width ratios between 1.75 and 2.25.

____________________________________________________________________________

Oval

The oval diamond shares many characteristics with the round diamond including its beautiful brilliance. Oval diamonds are also very popular as their lengths can accentuate long, slender fingers. The length-to-width ratio will determine the diamond’s outline and how it will be viewed on top.

.

Tips: For the most traditional oval diamonds, look for length-to-width ratios between 1.33 and 1.66.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Radiant

The difference between a radiant diamond and a princess diamond are the trimmed corners which are the signatures of a radiant diamond. They help make the radiant-cut a popular and versatile choice for jewelry. A radiant diamond looks equally beautiful set with either baguette or round side-diamonds. Radiant diamonds can vary in their degree of rectangularity. The length-to-width ratio will determine the diamond’s outline, and how it will be viewed on top.

For a radiant diamond shape that is square, look for length-to-width ratios between 1 and 1.05. If you prefer more of a rectangular shape, look for length-to-width ratios greater than 1.10.

This pear diamond is also called a teardrop for its single pointed and rounded end. The unique look of the pear shape makes it a popular choice for a variety of diamond jewelry. If you choose an elongated pear shape, the length of the diamond creates a subtle slimming effect on the fingers.

.

The length-to-width ratio will determine the diamond’s outline and how it will be viewed on top.

For the most traditional pear-shaped diamond, look for a length-to-width ratio between 1.45 and 1.75.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Heart

The heart is the ultimate symbol of love. The unique look of the heart-shaped diamond helps make it a distinctive choice for a variety of diamond jewelry. The heart diamond have many similar properties with the round diamond as its modifications and shape are based on the latter’s configuration. When choosing a color grade, consider that while the price of a J-color heart shaped diamond is exceptional, color may be slightly visible in its corners. The length-to-width ratio will determine the diamond’s outline, and how it will be viewed on top.

For a more traditional heart-shaped diamond, look for length-to-width ratios between .90 and 1.10.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Cushion

This unique shape has been popular for more than a century. Cushion diamonds (also known as “pillow-cut” or candlelight diamonds) have rounded corners and larger facets to increase their brilliance. These larger facets highlight the diamond’s clarity, so if you choose an SI clarity grade, make sure to review the clarity plot on the diamond certificate. Cushion diamonds are available in shapes ranging from square to rectangular. The length-to-width ratio will determine the diamond’s outline, and how it will be viewed on top.

For a cushion-cut diamond that is square, look for length-to-width ratios between 1 and 1.05. If you prefer more of a rectangular shape, look for length-to-width ratios greater than 1.15.