The 6 Most Popular Diamond Shapes for Engagement Rings

Shopping for an engagement ring is an exciting time! It can also be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. There are many diamond shapes to shop for, and each brings something unique to the table. 

Today, we’re going to focus on the top six engagement ring diamond shapes to shop for.

1. Round Engagement Rings

Round cut diamond engagement rings are chosen because of their brilliance, clarity, and shape. The cut of a round diamond allows it to showcase its brilliance and color more than any other diamond shape and because of this, they are the most expensive shape. Round diamonds are considered timeless and the most traditional of all shapes.  

2. Oval Engagement Rings

The most asked for diamond shape for the past few years is the oval cut diamond. Oval cut diamonds are desirable because of their elongated shape, which can make the diamond look bigger than it is. The facet cuts within the diamond can not only hide the inclusions, but can also tend to hide any yellow discoloration. Choosing an oval engagement ring can often give you more bang for your buck because it can make the oval diamond look bigger and shine more brilliantly compared to other shapes. 

3. Radiant Engagement Rings

If you like the rectangular shape of an emerald diamond without the long, rectangular facets, then a radiant cut diamond is what you should choose. Radiant diamonds are rectangular diamonds with a combination of step-cut and brilliant facets to give them sparkle and shine, similar to round diamonds. Radiant engagement rings can hide imperfections and show brilliance in a way that not all diamond shapes can accomplish.

4. Cushion Cut Engagement Rings

The next most popular diamond shape is the cushion cut engagement ring. Cushion cut diamonds traditionally have a square shape with rounded edges. Elongated cushion diamonds, a hybrid between and oval and radiant shape diamond, have also become increasingly popular. It’s a unique shape that shows off the brilliance and sparkle of the diamond, similar to a round cut diamond. Cushion cut diamonds are often chosen because the shape helps hide imperfections and flaws within the diamond.

5. Pear Engagement Rings

Pear engagement rings have become increasingly popular because of their unique shape. They are ideal for those looking to stand out. They are similar to oval diamonds in that they help elongate the finger while hiding imperfections within the diamond. 

6. Emerald Cut Engagement Rings

The emerald cut engagement ring is the shape you should choose if you are looking for a ring with a sleek and elegant look that elongates the ring finger. They’re most commonly associated with an art-deco style. They have a rectangular shape with rectangular facets. The cuts within an emerald cut diamond resemble a set of stairs. The inclusions or flaws within the diamond are more noticeable compared to any other shaped diamond. To hide the imperfections within an emerald cut engagement ring, you can choose to add baguettes or side stones to accompany each side of the diamond. 

Honorable Mention—Marquise Engagement Rings

Marquise engagement rings are similar to oval diamonds, with each end of the diamond coming to a point instead of a soft, round edge. Marquise engagement rings have a vintage look to them that many people love. Often, the center marquise cut stone is accompanied by a halo surrounding the diamond's perimeter. This can make the center stone look bigger than it is.

Which Engagement Ring Diamond Shape Is the Best?

You should choose the diamond shape you like the most when purchasing fine jewelry, but sometimes that can be a hard decision. Try on different shapes and choose the one that looks best to you. Knowing what to look for in a diamond will help you choose the best diamond shape. 

The 4 C’s of Diamonds

There are four C’s that are used to classify and describe a diamond. They are cut, clarity, color, and carat. The most important C of diamonds is the cut. This gives a diamond its brilliance, sparkle, and shine when the light hits it. A diamond with a lower carat weight can look bigger simply because of the cut. 

Cut

The cut of the diamond is what gives the diamond its brilliance and sparkle. Cut grades are reserved for round shaped diamonds and are not available on fancy shapes like ovals, radiants, cushions, etc. If you want a round diamond that sparkles in the light, you need to choose a diamond with a very good or excellent cut grade. Diamond cuts are graded on a scale of poor, fair, good, very good, and excellent. Choosing a diamond with a very good or excellent cut means it will have the most sparkle possible. If you’re interested in a fancy shape, look for a stone with excellent symmetry and excellent polish

Color

Color is considered the second-most important C of diamonds. A diamond’s color is graded on a scale from D to Z. A diamond with a color grading scale of D, E, and F is considered excellent and colorless, with no visible yellow in the diamond. G, H, I, and J diamonds are considered “near-colorless” and have no yellow coloring to the naked eye. If you want your diamond ring to shine white, you will want to choose a diamond with a color grade between D and J. 

Clarity

Diamond clarity refers to the flaws that a diamond has and where the inclusions are located. Diamonds are classified by a diamond clarity grade. The clarity grade ranges from flawless (FL) to included (I). 

Carat

A diamond’s carat weight is often mistaken for the size of the diamond—meaning, the bigger the carat, the bigger the diamond. A diamond’s carat is how much the diamond weighs, not how big it is. 

So, Which Diamond Ring Shape Should You Choose?

You should choose the diamond shape you like the most and choose the cut, color, clarity, and carat from there. Think about your style and personality—or if you are shopping for your partner, consider what diamond shape will go best with their style, personality, and lifestyle. 

For vintage styles, you should choose a marquise, emerald, or pear diamond shape. These shapes also help elongate the finger and make it look slender. 

Modern engagement rings best suit an oval, cushion, or radiant shaped diamond. The most popular modern setting is a thin diamond band with a hidden halo. 

Conclusion

For more of our engagement ring diamond shapes, take a look at the engagement rings we have to offer. We have something in every diamond shape available, including lab-grown diamonds and fancy shapes. We are sure that we can help you choose the perfect engagement ring diamond shape. Contact us when you’re ready to get started!