Diamond Shapes

So what diamond shape should you choose? Diamonds can be cut into a variety of magnificent, jaw-dropping shapes, however, round, brilliant cut diamonds are by far the most popular, representing four out of every five diamonds cut. Your choice will depend on your taste, the wearer’s taste and her particular style preference. At Sylvia’s Antique Jewelry, we offer many popular classic and more contemporary shapes of diamond, all cut with state-of-the-art expertise and craftsmanship. Antique and vintage gemstones came in shapes specific to their time in history, so we carry stones cut in shapes typical of certain eras to give our customers the authentic period look.
 

Round

The brilliant, round cut diamond has been a popular mainstay in engagement rings for almost a hundred years and features 58 expertly cut facets. Versatile and highly prized, the round brilliant cut gives you flexibility in color, cut and clarity grades while optimizing brilliance and fire. Sylvia’s Advice: choose Excellent, Ideal or Very Good cut grading to maximize this shape.

Princess

The second most popular shape, the Princess can be square or slightly rectangular and looks stunning in both modern and period settings. Sylvia’s Advice: look for a length-to width ratio of 1 and 1.05 for a square look, or more than 1.10 to 1.25 for a rectangular one.

Emerald

Elegant, sophisticated, the emerald cut has long tiered facets and a large table which highlights the stone’s transparency. Sylvia’s Advice: make sure you choose a high clarity grading, so that inclusions will not be visible.

Asscher

Created in 1902 by Joseph Asscher, and very popular during the Art Deco period, this stunning step cut shape is almost identical to the emerald, with the same facets and mirror-like illusion, but it is square. Sylvia’s Advice: choose a high grading for clarity as imperfections are more visible in this shape.

Marquise

A “king” among diamond shapes, the Marquise was commissioned by Louis X1V. This modified brilliant cut enhances long, slender fingers and looks beautiful when set with pear-shaped or round side stones. Sylvia’s Advice: if you want to make the most of carat weight, choose this cut to maximize visual effect.

Pear

This distinctive, elongated brilliant cut has been popular for decades and also flatters long, slim fingers. Sylvia’s Advice: we suggest choosing a length to width ratio of 1.45 to 1.75

Cushion

Originating in the 1800s, the cushion cut has larger crown facets which accentuate the stone’s inner fire. With its romantic, vintage look, the cushion cut diamond can be a rounded square or have a more rectangular shape. Sylvia’s Advice: look for a high grade for clarity in a cushion cut as its large facets accentuate the diamond’s “cleanliness”.

Radiant

This is a brilliant cut with chipped corners, like a step cut, and can be square or rectangular. It is very popular, versatile and looks good in many different settings, either as a single stone or set with baguette or round sided diamonds. Sylvia’s Advice: choose this shape if you like clean lines with abundant “fire”

Oval

Original and unique-looking, the oval cut will appeal to the bride-to-be who likes to be different. This shape looks good on slender, tapering fingers. The oval has the brilliance of a round cut but has a larger table. Sylvia’s Advice: Pick this shape if you like the fire of a round brilliant cut, but prefer a distinctively different profile.

Heart

Ah, the heart shaped diamond! What could possibly be more romantic? For those who cannot resist the ultimate symbol of love, the heart cut adapts well to both rings and pendant necklaces. It is attempted by skilled diamond cutters only as it is difficult to perfect. Sylvia’s Advice: look for a length-to width ratio between 0.9 and 1.10

Each diamond shape we offer at Sylvia’s Antique Jewelry has distinctive characteristics, with its own unique features and properties. It is the shape of your diamond that largely dictates light reflection and refraction, determining the level of brilliance and fire it will emit, so keep that in mind when making your final choice.

Please do not hesitate to contact our expert consultants at 800-969-6930 or Email Us if you have any questions, or if you have seen a diamond shape elsewhere we have not mentioned here. We may be able to special order it for you.