Diamonds: What Are the Shapes

Diamonds: What Are the Shapes

When it comes to the shape of a diamond, there more choices than you might think. At least nine shapes are offered by most jewelers. These shapes include:

· Round diamonds

· Oval diamonds

· Pear diamonds

· Heart diamonds

· Princess diamonds

· Radiant diamonds

· Asscher diamonds

· Marquis diamonds

· Emerald diamonds

Even though two diamonds have the same shape, they can appear to look slightly diffferent because of their size, weight and the type of setting the stone is in. In addition, the size of a hand can affect the way a ring appears. The same ring can look different on a different hands.

Diamond Shapes Vs. Diamond Cuts

Is there a difference between “diamond shapes” and “diamond cuts”? Most definitely. A diamond's cut refers to how an artisan maximizes the features of the gemstone by creating angles and details. The result is a brilliance created as the light goes into the diamond and bounces back. While the quality of a cut adds significantly to the overall value of a gemstone, the shape of a diamond does not increase or decrease its value. A diamond's shape refers to the actual geometric shape of the diamond: round, oval, heart-shaped or emerald, for example.

How to Choose Diamond Shapes

Basically, choosing a diamond's shape for yourself is a matter of personal taste. Which shape or style is most appealing to you and looks best on your finger or on a necklace?

Choosing a shape for somone else raises other issues: Would a woman prefer a traditional round-shaped diamond for her engagement ring, or would she prefer something unique? Will the size of her hand affect what looks best on her finger? If her fingers are long and slender, for example, she can easily wear a marquis, oval-shaped or pear-shaped diamond. If her fingers are shorter and wider, those shapes of diamonds will cover up too much of her finger resulting in a bulky, awkward look. Round-shaped or princess-shaped diamonds usually look best on smaller hands.

What's the Most Popular Diamond Shape for Engagement Rings?

The round diamond remains the most popular shape for engagement rings. It's considered to be the classic engagement ring and is often set in yellow gold or platinum. Because the round diamond is so popular, anything other than round is said to be a "fancy" shape.

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