The shape of the center diamond sets the look of the whole ring. It changes how the stone sparkles, how large it looks and how it sits on your hand. Here is how the ten most popular shapes compare.
1. Round Brilliant
The round brilliant is the most popular diamond shape. Its 57 or 58 facets are designed to return as much light as possible, so it has the most sparkle of any shape.
- Best for: anyone who wants maximum brilliance and a classic look.
- Tip: rounds suit almost every setting, from a solitaire to a halo or pavé band.
2. Oval
An oval has the sparkle of a round in a longer outline, which makes the finger look slimmer and the stone look larger for its weight.
- Best for: a classic look with a modern shape.
- Tip: a well-proportioned oval keeps the "bow-tie," a darker band across the center, to a minimum.
3. Cushion
The cushion has rounded corners and a soft, square or slightly rectangular outline. It has a vintage feel and a soft, glowing sparkle.
- Best for: vintage-inspired designs.
- Tip: an elongated cushion looks longer on the finger, like an oval.
4. Emerald
The emerald cut is a step cut with long, straight facets. Instead of sparkle, it shows broad flashes of light, sometimes called a hall-of-mirrors effect.
- Best for: clean lines and an understated look.
- Tip: choose a higher clarity grade, because the open facets make inclusions easier to see.
5. Princess
The princess cut is square with sharp corners and a bright, brilliant-style sparkle.
- Best for: a crisp, geometric look.
- Tip: choose a setting with prongs that protect the four corners, which can chip.
6. Pear
The pear combines a rounded end and a point, like a teardrop. It looks long on the finger and stands out from the more common shapes.
- Best for: a distinctive, elegant ring.
- Tip: check the symmetry. Both sides should match, and a prong should protect the point.
7. Radiant
The radiant combines the outline of an emerald cut with brilliant-style faceting. The result is a rectangular or square stone with lively sparkle.
- Best for: a rectangular shape with plenty of sparkle.
8. Marquise
The marquise is long and pointed at both ends. For its carat weight, it has one of the largest faces of any shape, so it looks big.
- Best for: a bold, vintage-inspired ring.
- Tip: prongs or V-tips on both points protect them from chipping.
9. Heart
The heart is a brilliant cut with a clear romantic meaning. It needs to be well cut to show its outline clearly.
- Best for: a ring with a personal, symbolic touch.
- Tip: look for even lobes and a clean cleft. In small sizes, the shape is harder to see.
10. Asscher
The Asscher is a square step cut with cropped corners. It has a strong Art Deco feel and the same mirror-like flashes as the emerald cut.
- Best for: Art Deco and vintage styles.
- Tip: like the emerald cut, it shows inclusions more easily, so clarity matters.
How to Choose a Diamond Shape
- Style: classic, modern or vintage-inspired?
- Your hand: longer shapes such as oval, pear and marquise make fingers look slimmer.
- Daily wear: shapes without sharp points, such as round, oval and cushion, are less likely to chip.
- Meaning: some shapes, like the heart, carry a symbol you may want.
Every Tang&Co. engagement ring is made to order, and every center stone is hand-selected by our team. Browse our engagement rings by shape to compare them side by side.