Shape or Cut
Cut also refers to shape - round, square, pear, or heart for example. Since a round diamond is symmetrical and capable of reflecting nearly all the light that enters, it is the most brilliant of all diamond shapes and follows specific proportional guidelines. For example, the optimal table is between 55-60% while the optimal depth is between 58.5-62.5%. Ask a jeweler to find out more about these guidelines.
Non-round shapes, also known as "fancy shapes," will have their own guidelines to be considered well-cut.
The precision and delicacy with which your diamond is cut will determine its brilliance, its fire and its ultimate beauty. The shape you select is a matter of individual taste and today your choice is only limited by the skill and imagination of the craftsman. The round brilliant is the most popular shape, but there is a wide variety of others that range from the more traditional marquise, pear, emerald, oval, baguette, square or heart to the more fanciful and creative.
Radiant and Princess cuts for example which were introduced in the last few decades have grown in popularity and are a unique marriage between the cutter's art and modern technology.
Round - The Round Brilliant is by far the most popular of all the polished diamond shapes available today.
Princess - The Princess Cut is a modified form of the traditional emerald cut in a brilliant rather than step cut style which creates a bright and scintillating look. These diamonds have pointed corners and are traditionally square in shape but can vary greatly in how square or rectangular they are.
Radiant – The Radiant Cut is also a modified form of the traditional emerald cut in a brilliant rather than step cut style. Trimmed corners are the signature of these diamonds and they can vary in their degree of rectangularity.
Emerald - The Emerald Cut diamond is rectangular, with oblong facets on each side and across the corners.
Asscher – This beautifully unique shape is nearly identical to the emerald cut, except that it is square.
Cushion – This unique shape has been popular for more than a century. Cushion Cut diamonds (also known as “pillow-cut” diamonds) have rounded corners and larger facets to increase their brilliance. They are available in shapes ranging from square to rectangular.
Oval – The Oval diamond has beautiful brilliance that’s similar to a round diamond and appears larger than a round diamond of the same carat weight.
Pear – This brilliant cut diamond is also called a teardrop for its single point and rounded end.
Marquise - The shape of a marquise diamond can maximize carat weight, giving you a much larger-looking diamond.
Heart - The heart shape is perhaps the most romantic of what are known as the fancy shapes. Since the heart is the ultimate symbol of love, the unique look of the heart-shaped diamond helps make it a distinctive choice for a variety of diamond jewelry.
