What Are Popular Diamond Shapes
Diamonds are more than stones. They are prisms of memory, vessels of light, and mirrors of personal expression. Each shape brings a distinct language to life—of love, legacy, and individuality.
At Emerson Fine Jewelry, we believe the shape of your diamond is where your story begins. Whether you are searching for an engagement ring or an heirloom-quality pendant, understanding each shape’s unique light, emotion, and geometry will help you choose not just a beautiful diamond—but the right one.
Why Diamond Shape Is More Than Aesthetic
While size and clarity often guide decision-making, the shape is what defines a diamond’s personality. It determines how light is reflected, how sparkle is perceived, and how it interacts with your hand or neck. The right shape can elongate, soften, dramatize—or simply dazzle.
This guide explores the most popular diamond shapes in detail, highlighting their visual beauty, optical performance, and emotional tone—all essential considerations when designing or selecting fine jewelry.
Round Brilliant Cut: Perfect Symmetry, Timeless Brilliance
The round brilliant is the most iconic diamond shape—and for good reason. With a precise arrangement of 58 facets, it is meticulously engineered to reflect the maximum amount of light.
What Makes It Exceptional
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Unparalleled fire and brilliance due to perfect symmetry
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Circular outline reflects light evenly in all directions
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Hides inclusions and color imperfections better than most shapes
When you look into a round brilliant diamond, you see a living shimmer, a dance of white and rainbow flashes that captures the eye and never lets go. It’s the ideal cut for those who want brilliance without compromise.
Explore Emerson Fine Jewelry’s hand-selected round brilliants—heirloom-caliber stones designed to last generations.
Oval Cut: Elongated Light, Elegant Grace
An oval diamond stretches the brilliance of a round cut into an elongated form, creating a sense of movement and elegance. Its soft curvature and elongated body offer both size and subtlety.
What Makes It Exceptional
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Elongates the hand for a refined silhouette
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Reflects light in a soft, swirling pattern
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Often appears larger per carat than a round cut
There’s a gentle luminosity in an oval diamond—its sparkle is more fluid, almost painterly. Perfect for someone drawn to romance and grace, but who wants something just slightly off the beaten path.
Emerald Cut: The Window of Clarity
Unlike brilliant cuts, the emerald cut is step-cut, featuring long, narrow facets that reflect light in bold, clean flashes rather than fiery sparkle. Its large table creates an almost transparent effect—making clarity and precision essential.
What Makes It Exceptional
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Creates a hall-of-mirrors effect when moved
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Reveals the depth and purity of the diamond
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Ideal for showcasing superior clarity and color
Emerald cuts are architectural, elegant, and refined. Their sparkle is not ostentatious—it is intellectual. This cut speaks to those who appreciate subtlety, symmetry, and structure in their jewelry.
Looking for a sophisticated piece with Art Deco influence? A custom emerald-cut ring may be your perfect match.
Cushion Cut: Soft Sparkle With Vintage Allure
The cushion cut—rounded corners combined with deep, chunky facets—has a romantic, plush feel. It offers a vintage appeal without sacrificing modern brilliance.
What Makes It Exceptional
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Deep facets produce a rich, pillow-like sparkle
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Ideal for halos and antique-inspired designs
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Appears soft, warm, and full of emotion
Cushion cuts do not shout—they glow. They feel like poetry in stone form, making them an extraordinary choice for those who value both history and warmth.
Pear Shape: Light in Motion
The pear shape—or teardrop—is a hybrid between the round and marquise. The result is a diamond that sparkles like a star and flows like water. Its asymmetry creates a natural focal point, drawing the eye and elongating the finger.
What Makes It Exceptional
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Combines brilliance with visual length
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Versatile in setting direction (point-up, point-down, east-west)
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Uniquely expressive—each pear has a distinct curve and drop
The beauty of the pear lies in its movement. Every turn reveals a different facet of light, making it a living, breathing gem on the hand or décolletage.
Pear-shaped diamonds are among our most requested for custom engagement rings—a singular choice for singular love stories.
Princess Cut: Geometry With Fire
The princess cut is modern, vibrant, and full of angular energy. It is square from the top and has a pyramid-like profile, designed to maximize internal light reflection.
What Makes It Exceptional
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Offers excellent brilliance in a bold, square form
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Works beautifully in modern, structured settings
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Second only to the round in popularity
Its shape may be precise, but its sparkle is pure emotion. This cut suits individuals who love clarity and order—but with a passion that cannot be ignored.
Radiant Cut: Structure Meets Scintillation
The radiant cut is aptly named—this cut blazes with fire. With trimmed corners and a rectangular or square shape, it merges the geometry of the emerald cut with the brilliance of a round.
What Makes It Exceptional
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Intense sparkle due to 70+ facets
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Strong edges, more durable than sharp-cornered cuts
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One of the most brilliant rectangular shapes available
For those who want presence, performance, and brilliance in one unified form, the radiant cut is a natural choice.
Asscher Cut: Vintage Drama in a Square Frame
Reminiscent of the early 20th century, the Asscher cut is like a kaleidoscope in slow motion. Its deep step cuts create a concentric square pattern that draws the eye inward.
What Makes It Exceptional
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Unique depth and geometric elegance
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Best viewed from above—a true showcase cut
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Radiates sophistication and legacy
This shape feels curated and rare—chosen by those who walk to the beat of elegance and refinement. A whisper of another era, built for now.
Marquise Cut: The Royal Statement
The marquise cut, with its elongated body and pointed ends, was originally designed for a French monarch. Today, it remains one of the most dramatic and eye-catching diamond shapes.
What Makes It Exceptional
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Maximizes carat size visually
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Dramatically elongates the finger
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Unique and historical, yet underrepresented
Marquise diamonds gleam with a regal intensity—they look large, feel luxurious, and make bold statements without excess.
Choosing What Reflects Your Light
No shape is inherently better—each one reflects a different kind of beauty. It all depends on the light you wish to carry.
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Want fire and brilliance? Choose round, radiant, or princess.
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Prefer elegance and structure? Explore emerald, Asscher, or marquise.
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Love softness and romance? Cushion, oval, or pear may be your perfect match.
At Emerson Fine Jewelry, we guide you through these decisions with care, helping you select not just the right diamond—but the right expression of you.
Let Us Help You Shape Forever
Choosing a diamond shape is a defining moment. It is not just about the way a stone looks—it’s about the way it feels. The way it tells your story.
Let us help you shape yours with Trust, Quality, and Diligence.
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