The Top 10 Diamond Cuts: Ranked

Choosing the perfect engagement ring is one thing; choosing the perfect diamond shape is quite another. Diamonds can be cut and polished into a plethora of shapes, anything from the classic round brilliant to Christmas trees and even horse heads!

By far the most popular cut is the Round Brilliant, with it's fifty-seven perfectly aligned facets it's brilliance really does out-shine the rest. Total internal reflection is the key; as light travels through the stone giving optimum sparkle. You can't go wrong with a round brilliant diamond which will look even better with a cushion halo around it; a classic engagement ring. 

In the past year we have seen a massive rise in the popularity of the cushion cut diamond; it has overtaken the Princess cut in being the second most popular diamond shape. Being a cross between the round brilliant cut and a princess; it is a softer square or rectangular shape, a little like a cushion or pillow - hence the name! 

The Princess cut diamond is next on our list; a real draw for those who are all about the angles. For the longest time, this was in competition with round diamonds in popularity. The square shape brings a contemporary feel to your diamond ring and can be set in either the square or compass point orientation. The Princess cut remains a classic option, which will stand out without being too opulent.

The Emerald cut is one of the most timeless of all of the diamond cuts. It is elegant and beautiful, particularly because it's recommended to aim for higher colors and clarities; there is no hiding when it comes to an emerald cut. The style of cutting is what we call step cut, it's more of a hall of mirror effect than the total internal reflection that comes from a round. If it's good enough for Beyoncé, it's good enough for you!

Another of the softer shapes is the oval; by being slighter longer than the round but having similar sparkle it is a great choice to elongate the finger. Ovals tend to be cut from shallower diamonds to really make the most of the rough stone ~ there is nothing rough about this gorgeous cut of diamond though!

If you are looking for something even longer then the Marquise might just be the one for you. Carat for carat the marquise has the largest surface area of any diamond cut so it always looks incredible, from a 0.30ct to a 0.90ct stone, if you're down on one knee and ready to propose, you're sure to get the answer you're looking for when you present your significant other with this looker.

In 2016 we saw a rise in the popularity of the pear shape diamond; whether set into a solitaire design or with pave shoulders, it is always a winner. The pear is such an elegant shape and it brings a degree of old-school glamor to your jewelery; with a dash of a modern vibe to your personality.

Next we come to the Asscher cut, which is a square variation on the emerald cut mentioned above. Asschers have incredibly unique and mesmerizing reflections; it is an unusual cut with a smaller table and cropped corners that really stands out.

The last of the angular shapes is the Radiant, cut between an emerald and a brilliant, you get a great combination of clean lines and brilliance. This is one of the more unusual shapes for us to sell and when we do it is more often than not in a fancy yellow color as the cut really makes the most of a colored stone. 

Last (but by no means least) is my personal favorite, the heart shape diamond. Certainly not everyone's cup of tea, the heart shape has a small but dedicated fan base. There is no mistaking the meaning behind a heart shape diamond. Careful selection should be made when choosing this diamond, as it takes a skilled gemologist to determine high quality in this cut.

If you need help designing your own, you can fill out our form on our site and send us your free ideas! www.sydneyrosen.com