As Seen in Grace Ormonde Wedding Style Photography by: Kellie Walsh, 4 Eyes Photography
Choosing the Right Engagement Ring Shape and Cut with Examples
Finding the perfect engagement ring is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in your life and there are many things to consider, such as choosing the perfect ring size, brand, color, material, and the topic of this blog post—the shape. Luckily, for you, we have decades of experience of weddings behind our belt and finding the shape, and other factors of the ring that will accommodate your fiancés style and preferences, will be a piece of cake, just read until the end.
The Different Cuts of Engagement Rings
If this isn’t your first time buying a ring, then you know that there are several cuts that you’re able to choose from. However, if it is your first time, don’t worry, a diamond cut is just a style or design used when shaping a diamond for polishing. You may already be familiar with a few cuts, such as the round cut illustrated above.
Why Choosing the Perfect Cut Is Important
When you look at a ring the first thing you notice is its luminosity, the ring’s ability to refract its color beautifully in every direction and at any angle. Did you know? The cut is what determines a diamond’s brilliance; thus, if it is cut poorly, the diamond’s breath-taking beauty will be taken away. In other words, when choosing a diamond, make sure to ask the jeweler the diamond’s grade, which considers the diamonds 4Cs: color, clarity, carat, and cut. You can learn more about the grading system here.
Princess Cut Engagement Rings
The princess cut is for those seeking both elegance and grace and so it comes as no surprise that Meghan Markle herself has a princess cut diamond ring. The cut is a square or rectangular shaped diamond and is commonly arranged in a set of adjacent diamonds, as the cut brings out the true beauty of smaller diamonds. If you are looking for a diamond ring that will show unparalleled sophistication, class, and elegance, then the princess cut should be at the top of your list. Further, brides with long fingers will benefit the most from this cut as the larger surface area on the diamond creates the illusion of smaller fingers.
Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
The cushion cut is one of the earlier cuts dating all the way back to the 18th century and it features a rectangular diamond with rounded corners. The cushion cut is for those who are looking for a traditional look and feel, with not subtle hints of luxury. Lastly, due to the cushion cut’s many facets the diamond has an extra sparkle compared to the other cuts.
Heart Cut Engagement Rings
The heart cut is famous for being one of the most romantic and feminine engagement ring styles. Heart cut engagement rings are often used to symbolize love and affection, making them a popular choice for couples who enjoy a more romantic touch. Ultimately, you know your significant other best and will know whether the heart diamond symbolic timelessness love is right for her.
Pear Cut Engagement Rings
A pear cut engagement ring is a beautiful and unique choice for those who want something a little different than the traditional round or princess cut. The cut resembles the shape of a teardrop, and it features a tapered point on one end and a rounded edge on the other. This unique shape fits well for all hand types, and due to its shape, it gives out the illusion of long slimmer fingers. The main thing to consider when shopping for a pear cut ring is its symmetry and the sharpness of its tapered point.
Marquise Cut Engagement Rings
Also known as the “navette” cut, this shape dates to the 18th century and is still a strong favorite with brides that enjoy traditional elegance. The elongated shape of this cut closely resembles a shining star and when paired with smaller diamonds, it is as if you have a small constellation of stars around your finger. The marquise cut is perfect for brides who want a diamond that appears smaller, protrudes elegance, and accentuates the finger. Also, thanks to its long, slender shape, which helps maximize light reflection, the marquise cut is on the upper end of brilliance.
Radiant Cut Engagement Rings
The radiant cut diamond matches closely with the emerald cut to the untrained eye; however, even though the shape is like the emerald diamond, its facets are cut like that of round diamonds. The reason being that, as its name suggests, the radiant cut is specifically designed to maximize its sparkle with a hypnotizing unique shine that benefits of a strong fire, in non-diamond lingo, rainbow-colored flashes. We recommend the radiant cut for brides that really want their ring to stand out since it is easily noticeable due to its brilliance trait and its large size.
Asscher Cut Engagement Rings
The Asscher cut features an octagonal shape with 58 large step facets, a small table, high crown, and steep pavilion with cut corners. The Asscher cut is the first patented diamond cut and dates to 1902, when Joseph Asscher first came up with this unique design. The facet arrangement of this cut produces a “hall of mirrors” effect, or an endless hallway with reflective mirrors. The Asscher cut is popular among women who are into the vintage world and greatly admire uniqueness and creativity.
Emerald Cut Engagement Rings
Emerald cuts are a classic in the diamond world where their long, rectangular facets, give it a sophisticated appeal and look. Like the radiant cut, the emerald cut is for brides who wish to make a statement and stand out from the crowd, since when worn they appear larger than they are due to the step cuts, which cause an optical like illusion. To give you an idea of the brides whose personality and style best match an emerald cut ring, then think about Jennifer Lopez or Beyonce, both who have an emerald cut ring.
Oval Cut Engagement Rings
Oval cut engagement rings are a beautiful and timeless option for those seeking something else besides the traditional round cut. Like some of the other cuts, the oval cut has a slenderizing effect on the finger, which can be particularly flattering for those with shorter fingers. If you decide to go for an oval cut, make sure to consult with an expert jeweler as a flawed cut can make imperfections more noticeable.
Trillion Cut Engagement Rings
If you’re shopping for an engagement ring, then you may have noticed the increasing popularity of trillion cut stones. These diamonds are typically cut into a triangular shape and are best for brides who want something unique that not many brides are wearing. Trillion cut diamonds also fit great as accents to other diamonds, so you can pick and match with other cuts, depending on your style.
Round Cut Engagement Rings
I saved the most common cut for the end as round cuts don’t need much introduction. Round cut diamonds are a classic choice that will never go out of style, not just due to them having the highest brilliance out of any of the other cuts, but also due to their versatility to look fantastic by themselves or as side stones. A round cut diamond is best for brides who are big on tradition, as round cuts have been making up over 50% of all diamond sales for centuries, so if you’re undecided on what cut you should get, then the round cut is always a safe bet.
That’s a lot of info to digest; however, you should now be better prepared before you visit a jeweler. If you already have a cut in mind, then make sure to check out all the diamond ring brands that we collaborate with.