Diamonds have been captivating hearts for centuries with their brilliance and distinct shapes, otherwise known as cuts. Each one has its unique character- while some of us are wild about the elongated shape of an oval or marquise diamond, others love the classic round brilliant or the clean lines of the emerald cut. What’s more, they have fascinating stories: for example, cushion cuts evolved from the antique Old Mine cut while Elizabeth Taylor adored pear-cut diamonds.
In this blog, we’re going to explore the top 9 diamond cuts and provide suggestions for engagement ring styles that perfectly complement each type. For those in search of the perfect diamond for their ring, all these stunning cuts are available at Icebox Jewels, where exceptional quality and artistic craftsmanship come together to create unforgettable pieces of jewelry.
1. Round Brilliant
The round brilliant cut is the epitome of classic diamond beauty. It’s also the most popular shape, accounting for over 70% of diamonds sold globally. When well cut, it reflects nearly 100% of light, making it the most brilliant of all diamond cuts.
Round brilliants have 58 facets including the culet – the flat face on the bottom – or 57 without it. When cut for engagement rings and other diamond jewelry, more raw material is left behind than with other shapes. It is for this reason, as well as the fact that round brilliants are always in demand, that these diamond cuts are generally more expensive, but ask anyone who wears one- they’re totally worth it!
Another reason why we love them so much is that they look amazing in practically all engagement rings. Whether you want to stick with a modest solitaire like The Kamellie or an elaborate halo ring like The Michelle, you can’t really go wrong!
2. Cushion
The cushion-cut diamond, with its pillow-like appearance, offers a blend of vintage charm and modern symmetry. It is a modern version of the antique Old Mine Cut, which was popular between the 17th and late 19th centuries. Characteristics include a squarish shape, rounded edges, and a length-to-width ratio of less than 1.05.
The cushion cut is less brilliant compared to others but distinguishes itself with a unique “crushed ice” appearance. For engagement rings, a vintage setting like The Jasmine or The Amber can enhance the old-world charm of a cushion-cut diamond.
3. Emerald
Emerald-cut diamonds are known for their understated elegance. They gained popularity in the Art Deco period of the 1920s and 1930s, an era characterized by its preference for clean lines, symmetry, and geometric patterns.
With a square or rectangular outline and large, open facets, the emerald cut has a classic mirror effect. These diamonds typically have a length-to-width ratio of 1.5 and are less brilliant but reveal the true clarity of the stone. An emerald cut diamond looks exceptionally sophisticated in a simple bezel setting like The Charlotte, which highlights its clarity and step-cut facets, or The Victoria, whose shimmering side stones bring vintage style into the 21st century.
4. Radiant
The radiant cut is a harmonious blend of vintage and contemporary elements. It features a rectangular or square shape with dazzling facets and cut corners. The 70 facets in these diamonds make them sparkle like crazy–we’re talking sparkle city! Only one diamond can rival the radiant’s glitter, and that is the round brilliant.
A radiant diamond, with its facet arrangement intensifying its color, looks stunning in a three-stone ring setting, flanked by smaller diamonds to showcase its fiery brilliance. The Liv and The Lia are two settings that show off radiant cuts to their best advantage.
5. Marquise
The marquise diamond was inspired by none other than King Louis XV of France, who reportedly commissioned a diamond to be cut in the shape of the lips of his mistress, the Marchioness Madame de Pompadour. Due to its boat-like shape, it was originally called the “navette” cut, which means “little ship” in French.
With its football shape and a length-to-width ratio of 1.75-2.25, the marquise cut has a unique and elongated appearance. It’s beautifully complemented by a classic prong setting, which secures the stone and allows ample light to enhance its shape. The Ashley and The Madison are two great examples.
6. Pear
The pear cut diamond, also known as the teardrop, has been around since the 15th century. It combines the best features of round and marquise cuts. With an optimal length-to-width ratio of 1.45-1.70, it offers a balance of elegance and flair. Some of the world’s most famous diamonds are pear cuts, including the Star of South Africa and the Star of the Season.
A pear diamond looks exquisite in a halo setting like The Kylie or a side stone setting like The Scarlett, both of which enhance its unique shape and maximize its brilliance. When you see an engagement ring with a pear cut, you’ll see why Cardi B and Victoria Beckham are fans!
7. Oval
The oval cut combines elegance with a touch of uniqueness. Although it’s been around since the 14th century, the shape as we know it appeared in 1957, when Russian diamond cutter Lazare Kaplan invented a new technique to cut oval shaped diamonds.
With its elongated shape and length-to-width ratio of 1.33-1.55, oval cuts appear larger than many other cuts of equal carat weight. Like the round brilliant cut, they also look great in practically all settings, which is one of the reasons why it’s our best-selling shape at Icebox! If you really want to shine (literally) go for a mega-sparkly setting like The Pave Alex or The Skyler.
8. Princess
The princess cut, with its sharp angles and square shape, are surpassed only by the round brilliant cut in terms of popularity. Princess cut diamonds are also the best for reducing waste: 80% of the rough stone needs to be used, so it wastes less than most other cuts.
With a depth of 58-76% and a table of 58-77%, it achieves remarkable brilliance, especially when well cut. Its sharp corners need a protective setting, such as a four-prong or bezel arrangement, to prevent chipping. Princess cuts look especially stunning in nature-inspired designs like The Twig or The Robin.
9. Elongated Cushion
The elongated cushion cut is a modern take on the traditional cushion cut, offering an elongated, graceful silhouette. Its distinctive rectangular shape with softly rounded corners makes it a fiery and elegant choice for an engagement ring.
This cut, blending vintage and contemporary styles, looks stunning in a side stone setting like The Naomi or The Lindsey, which emphasizes its length and brilliance. Natalie Joy and Gabrielle Union are two celebs who proudly flaunt elongated cushion cut engagement rings.
