Diamond Shapes Guide

Round Brilliant Cut

The round brilliant is the most popular diamond shape in the world, and for good reason. With 57 or 58 precisely angled facets, the round brilliant is designed to maximise light return — producing more brilliance, fire, and scintillation than any other shape.

Round brilliants account for approximately 70% of all diamonds sold globally. They are timeless, versatile, and suit every setting style from simple solitaires to elaborate halos. They are also the only shape for which GIA assigns a formal cut grade.

Best for: Those who want maximum brilliance and a classic, timeless look.
Things to know: Round brilliants carry a premium over fancy shapes of the same carat weight due to the amount of rough stone lost in cutting.

Oval Cut

The oval is one of the most fashionable diamond shapes of the past decade and continues to grow in popularity. Its elongated outline creates the appearance of a larger diamond — an oval typically appears 10–15% larger face-up than a round brilliant of the same carat weight. Oval diamonds also elongate the finger beautifully.

Best for: Those who want a larger-looking diamond, an elegant elongated look, or a modern alternative to the classic round.
Things to know: Look for the bowtie effect — a dark shadow across the centre of some ovals caused by poor proportions. Always see an oval in person before buying.

Cushion Cut

The cushion cut has a soft, square or rectangular outline with rounded corners — resembling a pillow, hence the name. It's one of the oldest diamond cuts, with origins in the 1800s, and has experienced a strong revival as buyers seek romantic, vintage-inspired styles.

Best for: Those drawn to a romantic, vintage aesthetic. Beautiful in halo settings.
Things to know: Cushions retain more rough stone than rounds, making them better value per carat. Proportions vary widely — expert guidance is important.

Emerald Cut

The emerald cut is one of the most sophisticated and architectural diamond shapes. Rather than brilliant-style faceting, it features a rectangular outline with long, parallel step-cut facets that create a dramatic hall-of-mirrors effect. Because the emerald cut's open facets are so transparent, clarity and colour are more visible than in brilliant cuts.

Best for: Those who appreciate understated elegance, architectural lines, and a sophisticated, fashion-forward look.
Things to know: We recommend VS1 or better clarity for emerald cuts, as inclusions are more visible. Colour is also more apparent — aim for G or better in white gold.

Asscher Cut

The Asscher cut is similar to an emerald cut but square rather than rectangular, with a distinctive cropped corner outline. It was created in 1902 by the Royal Asscher Diamond Company and became iconic in the Art Deco era. The Asscher has experienced a strong revival among buyers who love its vintage character and extraordinary depth.

Best for: Those drawn to Art Deco style, vintage glamour, and a truly unique, statement ring.
Things to know: Same clarity and colour considerations as emerald cuts. Not as common as other shapes — which makes them special.

Pear Shape

The pear shape — also called a teardrop — combines the brilliance of a round with the elongated elegance of a marquise. It has a rounded bottom and a single point at the top. Pear shapes are exceptionally elegant and elongate the finger beautifully when worn with the point facing towards the fingertip.

Best for: Those who want something distinctive, elegant, and elongating.
Things to know: Check for the bowtie effect. The point is a potential vulnerability and should be protected by a claw or bezel setting.

Princess Cut

The princess cut is a square diamond with brilliant-style faceting — giving it the sparkle of a round in a modern, geometric outline. It's the second most popular diamond shape after round and is particularly popular for engagement rings in contemporary styles.

Best for: Those who want maximum brilliance in a modern, geometric shape.
Things to know: The four sharp corners are vulnerable to chipping. A four-claw setting that protects the corners is recommended.

Marquise Cut

The marquise is a bold, elongated shape with pointed ends at both the top and bottom. It has one of the largest face-up surface areas of any shape for the same carat weight, making it appear exceptionally large on the finger. The marquise has its origins in 18th century France.

Best for: Those who want maximum visual impact and a truly dramatic, distinctive ring.
Things to know: Check carefully for the bowtie effect. The two pointed ends need to be protected in the setting.

Radiant Cut

The radiant cut combines the rectangular or square outline of an emerald or asscher cut with brilliant-style faceting — giving it far more sparkle than a step cut. It was invented in 1977 and remains popular for those who love the shape of a cushion or emerald but want maximum brilliance.

Best for: Those who love rectangular or square shapes but want brilliant sparkle rather than a step-cut look.
Things to know: Available in both square and rectangular proportions. A versatile, underrated shape that offers excellent value.

Heart Shape

The heart-shaped diamond is the ultimate romantic symbol — a brilliant-cut diamond crafted into a perfect heart outline. It's the most challenging shape to cut well, requiring exceptional skill to achieve symmetry, a well-defined cleft, and balanced wings. Heart shapes are most recognisable at 0.50ct and above.

Best for: The most romantic choice. A deeply personal and memorable shape.
Things to know: Symmetry is critical — both halves should be identical. Always see a heart shape in person to assess its quality.