With so many different variations of diamonds, from their clarity, the cut, color, and even shapes. It can be overwhelming for anyone who is new or is not too familiar. Choosing the right diamond shape can be a daunting task. This guide was specifically written to help guide those who want the pros and cons of each of the popular diamond shapes. Should there be any questions, kindly customer care, and a representative will respond soon.
Rare Carat Diamond Shapes
Round Carat Diamond
The round diamond is the most popular, classic diamond shape in the world, accounting for roughly 75% of all diamond rings sold, and with over 55 facets it is easily one of the most brilliant diamond shapes. Round diamonds are known for their versatility which can easily suit most finger types and any style of setting.
Pros of the Round Carat Diamond
- This diamond is known for having the highest brilliance and sparkles of all the diamond shapes.
- The diamond is quite forgiving of flaws and color tints. Put simply, this can easily reduce the cost of clarity and color grades all without compromising its appearance.
- The round diamond is simply a timeless classic full of elegance and grace, they have been popular for centuries, but they will never be not popular among diamond lovers.
Cons of the Round Carat Diamond
- Due to their popularity and unfortunately, low yield from rough diamonds. The average price of a round diamond is quite expensive.
- Due to its symmetrical shape and depth, it looks smaller when compared to other diamond shapes even if both diamonds are of equal carat size.
Oval Carat Diamond
The oval diamond is quite similar to the round diamond in that it has the same level of brilliance and fire around its shape but its appearance has an elongated silhouette. This modern unique look gives an illusion of slenderness and length. This is perfect for those who want the dazzling brilliance of a round diamond but with a distinct flair.
Pros of the Oval Carat Diamond
- Thanks to its elongated shape and shallow depth, the oval diamond appears larger compared to a round diamond.
- Due to its elongated structure, the oval diamond can make shorter or wider fingers appear more flattering.
- With an ever so slightly reduced cost, the oval diamond stands as being the more modern diamond thanks to its distinct and original design.
Cons of the Oval Carat Diamond
- The diamond is susceptible to the bow-tie effect due to its shape. The effect is because of a light leakage in which there can be a dark area that spans across the middle of the oval-carat diamond that resembles that of a bow tie. Its severity depends on the proportions and cut quality of the diamond.
- Whilst the oval diamond may truly show more color than round diamonds, especially at the tips unfortunately, this makes oval diamonds prone to brownish or yellowish hues at the tips requiring most prospective buyers to purchase a higher color grade oval diamond.
Cushion Carat Diamond
Because of its rounded corners and sides, this square or rectangular-shaped diamond is often affectionately called the pillow diamond. The cushion diamond has been around for centuries, cherished for its vintage charm and romance. The cushion diamond can have varying levels of brilliance and fire depending on the style of the cut. A standard cushion cut produces larger chunks of flashes of light due to its larger facets while a modified cushion diamond cut can create more pinpoints of light due to its smaller facets.
Pros of the Cushion Carat Diamond
- The cushion diamond has a delicate and romantic appearance that makes it perfect for vintage-inspired settings.
- The cushion diamond, thanks to its rounded edges and sheer brilliant faceting is perfect for hiding inclusions.
Cons of the Cushion Carat Diamond
- Even with the same 3 ct diamond, the cushion diamond looks smaller due to its depth and rounded corners.
- As great as cushion diamonds are at retaining more colors compared to other diamond shapes, especially larger cushion diamonds. Unfortunately, this makes them prone to yellowish or brownish hues if the buyer does not choose a higher color grade cushion diamond.
Emerald Carat Diamond
The emerald diamond is known not only for its rectangular shape but for its hall-of-mirrors effect that is achieved through its step-cut facet feature. Sleek and sophisticated, the emerald exudes elegance and refinement. Subtle and understated, especially when compared to other diamond shapes, the emerald emphasizes clarity and luster over other diamonds that love brilliance and fire.
Pros of the Emerald Carat Diamond
- Thanks to its large face-up size, it helps maximize the perceived size of a diamond.
- The emerald shape is perfect for anyone who wants a more vintage and unique appeal to their style of setting.
Cons of the Emerald Carat Diamond
- Unfortunately due to its transparent facet and top facet, emeralds can show inclusions too easily, requiring buyers to purchase a higher clarity grade.
- Simply due to its large shape, it is always prone to yellowish and brownish hues especially on its corners, requiring buyers to purchase a higher color grade diamond to avoid these.
Princess Carat Diamond
As classic as they come. The princess diamond thanks to its brilliant faceting and rectangular or square shape is without a doubt among the top 3 most popular diamond shapes of all time. The princess diamond has a modern and trendy look with a flash of beautiful brilliance and fire but with an appearance that is more geometric and edgy, giving it a timeless look.
Pros of the Princess Carat Diamond
- The princess diamond easily rivals the same level of brilliance and dazzling sparkles of round diamonds.
- Due to its shape and appearance, the princess diamond can accommodate multiple finger sizes and styles of setting.
Cons of the Princess Carat Diamond
- The princess diamond is tough, no question but simply due to its pointed corners construction, they tend to chip easily. This means when purchasing a princess diamond, it is recommended that the buyer protects the corners of their princess diamond with a bezel or halo.
- Similar to other diamond shapes that have unique structures, the princess diamond may be prone to yellowish or brownish hues at its corners. It is recommended to purchase one with a higher color grade to avoid these.
Radiant Carat Diamond
With cropped corners and ever so brilliant faceting, the radiant diamond is a hybrid that combines the best aspects of a princess diamond and an emerald diamond into one. Combining both elegance and splendor. Compared to other diamond shapes, the radiant diamond exudes a more lively and vibrant appearance. Perfect for those who live a flashy and fast lifestyle.
Pros of the Radiant Carat Diamond
- The radiant diamond thanks to its hybrid nature has higher brilliance and fire that produces a mesmerizing sparkle.
- The radiant diamond thanks to its cropped corners and brilliant facets can easily hide inclusions.
- Compared to Princess Diamonds, radiant diamonds are less prone to chipping because of their cropped corners.
Cons of the Radiant Carat Diamond
- Due to its shape and cropped corner, the radiant diamond tends to look smaller than other diamond shapes of the same carat size.
- The radiant diamond is excellent in presenting color due to its large size but unfortunately, they are prone to yellowish or brownish hues if the buyer does not opt for a higher color grade diamond.
Pear Carat Diamond
The pear diamond is just as it sounds. With one end pointed and the other rounded, thanks to its unique and asymmetrical look, this diamond either resembles a pear or a teardrop. Perfect for those who crave similar brilliance and scintillations as round diamonds but with a more feminine and graceful touch.
Pros of the Pear Carat Diamond
- The pear diamond is perfect for shorter or wider fingers as this diamond can make them slimmer and longer.
- The pear diamond is not the most common diamond shape, making it more distinctively original. Perfect for that someone uniquely special.
Cons of the Pear Carat Diamond
- Due to its shape, the pear diamond is prone to light leakage or the bow-tie effect which is essentially a dark area that spans across the middle of the pear diamond and resembles a bow tie.
- While indeed the pear diamond can show off color full of brilliance due to its shape, it is prone to yellowing or browning hues especially if the buyer chooses a lower color grade.
Marquise Carat Diamond
The marquise is arguably one of the most exotic shapes in the industry. This reputation is due to its two pointed ends and two curved sides. Its structure resembles that of a football or an eye, that gives off a feeling of regal elegance. Similar in its brilliance to a round diamond, but vastly more dramatic with its elongated look.
Pros of the Marquise Carat Diamond
- The Marquise diamond is perfect for making shorter or wider fingers look slimmer and longer with its elongated shape.
- The Marquise diamond shape is not a very commonly used diamond, making it more distinct and desirable for those who truly want a unique diamond.
Cons of the Marquise Carat Diamond
- Unfortunately, due to its shape. Unless the buyer chooses a higher quality color grade, this diamond tends to suffer yellowing or browning hues, especially at its tips.
- The bow-tie effect can be an issue with the Marquise diamond unless the buyer purchases a higher color-graded diamond.
Asscher Carat Diamond
The Asscher diamond is essentially emerald but in square form. Thanks to its beautiful construction, with its step-cut facets, it creates a mesmerizing hall-of-mirrors effect. It creates an atmosphere of charm and glamour often associated with a vintage nature. Perfect for those who choose clarity and luster over brilliance and fire.
Pros of the Asscher Carat Diamond
- Thanks to its shape, a 1ct or 1-carat diamond looks so much better than its rounder counterparts.
- The Asscher diamond exudes a feeling of yesteryear, vintage and charming. Full of drama and simplicity at its finest.
Cons of the Asscher Carat Diamond
- Due to its large shape, the Asscher diamond tends to have inclusions. One needs to purchase a higher quality grade to avoid these potentially visible flaws.
- Because of its shallow depth and long edges, the Asscher diamond tends to be brown or yellow. Choose a higher color grade to avoid these.
Heart Carat Diamond
The heart diamond is just as it sounds, it looks like a heart. This diamond is the modified version of a round diamond, with a pointed bottom and two lobes at its top. This is perfect for anyone who is more sentimental and romantic at heart. Similar in its levels of brilliance and fire as any round diamond but with more finesse, whimsical, and playful nature.
Pros of the Heart Carat Diamond
- The heart diamond is perfect for wearers who have shorter or wider fingers as this diamond can make them appear slimmer and longer.
- The heart diamond stands as a firm symbol of pure love. Perfect for the sentimental romantic at heart.
Cons of the Heart Carat Diamond
- The heart-shaped diamond can be difficult to procure as its symmetry nature requires a truly master craftsman at work. A cut heart diamond can look distorted thus destroying its true beauty and brilliance.
- With its rounded shapes, especially at the tip. This diamond tends to attain yellowish or brownish hues. The buyer must choose a higher color grade to avoid these.
