Diamond Shapes

Round Shape Diamond: Often referred to as brilliant or as RBC (round brilliant cut) by far the most popular because it is the most common brilliant-cut diamond and has the best angles for which to shine maximum brilliance. It has 58 facets, Created by Marcel Tolkowsky in 1919. In a nutshell, a well-set round diamond will give you the most sparkle for your buck.

Pear Cut Diamond: Pear cut occupies the second place after the brilliant. It is an intermediary shape between the brilliant and the marquise. The pear shape is also a unique and excellent choice for engagement rings. A flattering cut in the shape of a water drop. The round part glitters the most, resembles a twinkling teardrop, pretty sure those will be tears of joy.

Marquise or Navette Cut Diamond:This cut thanks its name to the Marquise of Pompadour: a legend relates that this cut was invented during the 18th-century reign of Louis XIV, allegedly named for his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour, and inspired by her smile. Offers a very luminous centre, but loses its sparkle towards the points. The uniquely tapered cut, essentially an oval with rounded sides and points at each end. Modern-day versions often have a hexagon-shaped surface with facets on the top and bottom to reflect light. It's ideal for those looking to maximize carat weight and for those who like a little opulence every now and again.

Emerald Cut Diamond: The emerald cut is usually rectangular but older, square cuts are still around. A rectangular cut with long, lean facets extending down the sides, it's this shape's large table that shows off the rock's clarity better than any other shape. A rectangular shape with cut corners that resemble stair steps (it's often called a step cut) and its name was taken from the most popular shape for emeralds in the 1920s. It is a step-cut diamond; that is, it has rows of facets - usually 48 to 50 - that resemble as staircase and usually are four-sided or elongated. The typical size of a 1 carat rectangular Emerald Cut would be 7 by 5 mm.

Oval Cut Diamond: Similar to round diamonds, based upon its shape and modifications of the traditional round brilliant configuration. The oval was invented by Lazare Kaplan in the early 1960's. 56 facets are typical for oval brilliants. This shape is popular as a solitaire among those with smaller hands or shorter fingers, because the oval's elongated shape gives the illusion of length to the hand, resulting in slender-looking fingers.

Princess Cut: The Princess is a brilliant-style shape with sharp, uncut corners. It is typically cut perfectly square, rather than as a rectangle. The year was 1961, London, jewelry designer Arpad Nagy was inventing the princess -- a square-cut diamond with an array of intricate facets (anywhere from 49 to 144, depending on the diamond's size). A Princess generally has 76 facets, giving it more brilliance and fire than a round brilliant. Princess diamonds are also one of the least expensive diamond shapes to create.

Radiant Cut Diamond: This cut is another variant on the rectangular cut. It forms the basis of a whole series of cuts derived from it, such as the princess cut. Hard to find and not commonly used for engagement rings due to its scarcity. Its extra special sparkle is the result of the way its underside is cut, with 70 facets to be exact, to maximize the effect of its color refraction.

Heart Cut Diamond: The technical name for this stone is the “Heart-Shaped Modified Brilliant”, based upon its shape and modifications of the traditional round brilliant configuration. Often more of a novelty and not commonly used for engagement rings. Like pear-shaped diamonds, heart-shaped rocks can be "fatter" or more elongated and it’s the skill and precision of the diamond cutter that defines the sparkle and beauty of this cut. Heart-shaped brilliants typically contain 59 facets.

Diamond and Gemstone Jewelry | Heart Shaped Jewelry

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