Making Shapes! Diamond shapes.

Diamonds are among the most sought-after gemstones in the world, renowned for their unparalleled brilliance, fire, and timeless beauty. While the allure of a diamond is largely attributed to its natural properties, the shape it is cut into plays a significant role in enhancing its overall appearance and maximising its sparkle. The art of diamond cutting is a delicate and highly skilled process, where the diamond is transformed from its rough form into a polished gem, revealing its full potential.

Popular Diamond Shapes

There are several well-known diamond shapes, each with its own distinct characteristics and appeal. Some of the most popular diamond cuts include the Round Brilliant, Princess Cut, Cushion Cut, Emerald Cut, Asscher Cut, Oval Cut, Pear Cut, Marquise Cut, and Radiant Cut. Each of these shapes offers a different aesthetic, and choosing the right shape is a matter of personal preference, as well as considering how it enhances the diamond’s brilliance.

Round Brilliant Cut

The Round Brilliant is the most popular and well-known diamond shape. With 58 facets, the round cut is designed to maximise the diamond’s ability to reflect light, resulting in exceptional brilliance and sparkle. This cut is often associated with classic and timeless elegance, making it the go-to choice for engagement rings and other fine jewellery.

Princess Cut

The Princess Cut is a modern, square shape with sharp, clean lines. This cut features brilliant facets that reflect light in a similar way to the round cut, giving it a high level of sparkle. The princess cut is a favourite among those who want a contemporary yet elegant look, and it pairs beautifully with both traditional and modern settings. This cut also works very well as a trilogy (3 stone) style ring.

Cushion Cut

The Cushion Cut, is a square or rectangular shape with rounded corners and larger facets. The cushion cut has been around for centuries and is known for its vintage appeal and soft, romantic look. Its unique cut allows it to exhibit a subtle yet captivating sparkle, making it a popular choice for engagement rings, especially for those who desire a more traditional or antique style.

Emerald Cut

The Emerald Cut is a rectangular shape with step-like facets and a large, open table. Unlike the round or princess cuts, the emerald cut’s beauty lies in its clarity and the way it reflects light. Its clean, geometric lines provide a sophisticated and understated elegance. This cut is favoured by those who appreciate a more classic, refined aesthetic, as it showcases the diamond’s clarity and depth rather than just its brilliance. This stone can also be teamed with shoulder stones either side in any design you could imagine.

Asscher Cut

Similar to the emerald cut, the Asscher Cut is square in shape with deep, step-cut facets. It was originally developed in the early 20th century and has a vintage, Art Deco appeal. The Asscher cut features a distinctive “hall of mirrors” effect, where the facets create a mirror-like appearance that gives the diamond a striking visual depth. This shape is ideal for those who want a unique, timeless design with exceptional clarity.

Oval Cut

The Oval Cut is an elongated version of the round brilliant, offering a similar sparkle but with an elegant, elongated form. This shape is known for making the finger appear longer and more slender, making it a popular choice for engagement rings. The oval cut also tends to appear larger than other shapes of the same carat weight due to its elongated shape.

Pear Cut

The Pear Cut, also known as the teardrop shape, combines the rounded end of the oval with the pointed end of the marquise. This unique shape is both elegant and feminine, offering a sophisticated look that can be worn in various types of jewellery. The pear shape’s elongated form makes it ideal for pendants, earrings, and rings, and it is often chosen for its distinctiveness and graceful appearance.

Heart Cut

The Heart Cut is a unique romantic cut most often used in engagement and eternity rings. Also a perfect choice for a pendant with significant meaning. This cut derives its origins from a round brilliant cut with one end to a point and the other forming a rounded lobe. A beautiful and meaningful choice of diamond, symbolic of love and affection.

Marquise Cut

The Marquise Cut features an elongated, oval shape with pointed ends. It is known for its dramatic and regal look, often used to create the illusion of a larger stone. The marquise cut maximises carat weight, making it a great choice for those seeking a larger appearance without increasing the carat size. Its unique shape can also create an elegant visual impact when used in engagement rings or statement jewellery.

Radiant Cut

The Radiant Cut combines the elegance of the emerald cut with the brilliance of the round cut. This rectangular or square shape has cropped corners and brilliant-cut facets that enhance the diamond’s sparkle. The radiant cut is versatile and works well in various settings, offering a contemporary yet timeless appeal.

In summary,

The shape of a diamond plays a critical role in its overall appearance and can drastically influence how it reflects light, showing off its brilliance and fire. Choosing the right diamond shape is a highly personal decision, one that depends on individual taste, lifestyle, and the specific jewellery setting. Each cut has its own charm and appeal, whether you’re drawn to the timeless elegance of the round brilliant or the unique, vintage allure of the cushion cut. By understanding the characteristics of different diamond shapes, you can make a more informed choice that best suits your preferences and celebrates the beauty of the diamond in its most radiant form.

As always at Bespoke By Baskerville we are more than happy to chat everything diamonds to ensure you choose the stone and design that is perfect for you. Included in our initial appointment we can always show you a selection of stones that will work for you.