When it comes to choosing a diamond, shape is one of the first and most defining decisions. The shape of a diamond affects more than just appearance. It influences how the stone catches light, how large it looks, and how it reflects your personal style.
Let’s take a closer look at the most popular diamond shapes, from timeless classics to modern statements. Whether you're dreaming of a solitaire, exploring halo settings, or designing something entirely one-of-a-kind, this guide can help you find the perfect diamond for your ring.
Round Brilliant Cut
The round brilliant cut diamond is the most popular diamond shape in the world, and for good reason. With 57 or 58 facets precisely arranged to maximize scintillation, it offers unrivaled brilliance and fire. This classic shape suits nearly every setting and hand, making it a universal favorite for engagement rings. It’s also the standard against which all other shapes are measured by the GIA.
Oval Diamond
The oval cut blends the sparkle of a round brilliant with a graceful, elongated shape that flatters the finger. Its larger surface area can make the stone appear bigger than its carat weight, making it a popular choice for those who want impact without going over budget. Its soft rounded edges also lend themselves beautifully to both vintage and modern styles.
Emerald Cut
Known for its clean lines and elegant step-cut facets, the emerald cut diamond reveals a distinctive hall-of-mirrors effect rather than dazzling sparkle. This rectangular shape feels sophisticated and architectural, often chosen by wearers drawn to understatement and clarity. With its broad, open table, cut quality and inclusions become especially important when selecting an emerald cut.
Asscher Cut
A close cousin to the emerald cut, the asscher cut diamond is a square shape with beveled corners and the same step-cut structure. Popular during the Art Deco period, it has a vintage feel that looks stunning in symmetrical, geometric settings. The deep pavilion and layered facets create a bold, elegant look with depth and drama.
Cushion Cut
The cushion cut diamond, sometimes called a pillow cut, is beloved for its romantic, soft rounded corners and large facets that offer a gentle, glowing sparkle. Cushion cuts come in both square and rectangular shapes, and have become a favorite for antique-inspired and halo designs. A cushion cut diamond balances brilliance with a hint of old-world charm.
Princess-Cut Diamonds
The princess cut is a modern classic with a sharp square shape and brilliant facets that maximize sparkle. Often set with prongs to protect its corners, this cut is ideal for clean, contemporary ring designs. Its symmetrical form also lends itself well to side stones and bold, graphic settings.
Radiant Cut
Combining the fiery sparkle of a round brilliant cut with the geometry of an emerald cut, the radiant cut diamond offers the best of both worlds. With a faceted pavilion and beveled corners, it creates stunning brilliance and looks equally striking in both rectangular and square styles. A radiant cut is especially well-suited to halo settings and side stones.
Pear-Shaped Diamonds
Also known as teardrop diamonds, pear-shaped diamonds feature a unique oval shape that tapers to a single point. This shape elongates the finger and makes a bold, unexpected statement. When set with the point facing outward, it creates a slimming effect and an elegant, artistic silhouette.
Marquise Cut
Legend has it that the marquise shape was designed for Louis XV, who wanted a diamond to match the smile of his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour. With its elongated shape, pointed ends, and dramatic presence, the marquise cut creates the illusion of a larger stone and adds vintage glamour to any diamond ring. Its curved sides and sharp tips require a well-made setting to protect the points and enhance its symmetry.
Heart-Shaped Diamond
The heart-shaped diamond is the ultimate romantic gesture, balancing playful symbolism with serious sparkle. With a cleft at the top and a rounded bottom, it requires precise cut quality to achieve symmetry and brilliance. While it is rarer, this fancy shape is ideal for someone who wants a unique shape with unmistakable personality.
Fancy Shapes and Personal Style
All of the diamond shapes that fall outside the traditional round brilliant are known as fancy shapes. These include the pear, marquise, cushion, asscher, radiant, heart, and princess cuts. Each shape offers a different personality, sparkle pattern, and profile, and the best choice comes down to what speaks to you.
Shape also influences how a diamond is set. A bezel may frame a modern oval, while prongs might elevate a princess cut. A halo can make a small marquise feel grander, while a clean solitaire lets a cushion cut shine.
Cut to Reflect You
At Adam Foster Fine Jewelry, we believe that every diamond begins as a rough diamond full of possibility, and the magic lies in shaping it into something personal. Whether you’re drawn to the timeless glow of a round brilliant diamond or the sleek sophistication of a square emerald cut, we help you choose with clarity and confidence.
All of our diamonds are selected for their beauty, integrity, and precision. We’ll guide you through understanding carat weight, light performance, and design so your final piece feels true to your story.
Ready to see them in person?
Book a visit to our St. Louis showroom or reach out to begin designing a diamond ring as unique as you are.