What Is a Diamond Shape?
Diamond shape refers to the geometric appearance of a diamond. Diamond shapes are categorized into two groups: round diamonds and fancy shape diamonds. Round diamonds, also known as round brilliant cuts, are the most traditional diamond shape. Fancy shape diamonds refer to any diamond that is not a round brilliant. Tiffany fancy shape diamonds include princess, cushion, emerald, oval, pear, marquise, heart and our exclusive Tiffany True® diamond.
Round Brilliant Diamonds
The round brilliant cut is one of the most popular diamond shapes for its intense sparkle. Round brilliant diamonds are cut to optimize brilliance, featuring over 56 facets that reflect light and cast tiny rainbows in a breathtaking show of sparkle and contrast. Since 1886, the iconic Tiffany® Setting has featured a triple excellent round brilliant diamond, setting the standard against which all engagement rings are measured.
Princess-cut Diamonds
Beloved for its contemporary style and sparkle, the princess cut is the most popular fancy shape diamond. Princess-cut diamonds are square modified brilliant cuts with pointed corners. Boasting over 50 chevron-shaped facets, this cut is defined by exceptional fire and scintillation. Depending on the length-to-width ratio, princess-cut diamonds can appear square or rectangular.
Emerald-cut Diamonds
Emerald-cut diamonds are sought after for their understated glamour and eye-catching depth. This octagonal step cut features parallel, rectangular facets, and it is the large, open table that highlights the stone’s pure color and icy clarity. The emerald cut is a suitable choice for those seeking an Art Deco-inspired engagement ring style.
Cushion-cut Diamonds
The cushion-cut diamond is also traditionally referred to as the “pillow-cut diamond.” Rounded edges soften the corners of this square or rectangular-cut diamond. A unique spin on the classic round brilliant, the cushion-cut diamond is an excellent choice for any engagement ring setting.
Oval Diamonds
The oval shape is an elegant combination of the round brilliant cut and the marquise diamond. This brilliant cut features shimmering facets that make the light dance and create the illusion of longer fingers. Bold and sophisticated, the oval diamond is a unique shape for the wearer who wants to express their individuality.
Tiffany True® Diamonds
The Tiffany True® diamond is a modern mixed cut that combines a step-cut crown and a brilliant-cut pavilion. Unique to Tiffany, this diamond meets the triple excellent grade, the highest cut grade in the industry. Perfect for the one seeking a modern engagement ring style, this innovative diamond shape displays intense white reflections balanced with subtle rainbows and movement of light.
Pear-shaped Diamonds
The pear shape combines round brilliant and marquise-cut styles to form a tapered teardrop with an extraordinary display of light. Like oval and marquise diamonds, the flattering pear shape elongates the finger—especially when worn with the point facing the nail. Tiffany pear-shaped diamonds showcase exacting symmetry and are exceptionally beautiful in halo settings.
What Is the Difference Between a Diamond Cut and a Diamond Shape?
It’s important to note that diamond cut and diamond shape are not the same thing. A diamond’s cut determines how its facets interact with light. A shape describes the geometric appearance of a diamond. Cut defines what the shape of a rough diamond will be—not the other way around.
This is why diamond shapes are often interchangeably referred to as cuts.
How Does Diamond Shape Affect Sparkle?
The cut of a diamond shape ultimately determines its ability to sparkle. This is largely because cut determines the number of facets on a diamond and how light travels through the stone. Facets are the flat, polished surfaces on a diamond. Like tiny mirrors, each facet is precisely cut and proportionally arranged to maximize the diamond’s ability to gather in and reflect light. While cut quality is the most important factor behind a diamond’s sparkle, color and clarity grades also matter. The higher the color and clarity grades, the brighter the diamond.
At Tiffany, we reject any diamond with noticeable imperfections to the unaided eye.
Which Diamond Shapes Sparkle the Most?
All Tiffany diamonds are exceptionally cut to maximize brilliance. However, each diamond shape has its own unique cut and faceting style which produces varying degrees of brilliance. There are three different diamond cuts used to craft every diamond shape: brilliant cut, step cut and mixed cut.
Which Diamond Shapes Are the Largest?
While some would suggest elongated shapes, such as oval, pear-shaped and emerald cut, appear larger on the finger, others believe it is the brilliance of a round brilliant diamond that makes it stand out across a crowded room. At Tiffany, we believe the best cut diamonds maximize sparkle at every carat size. Follow your heart and pick the shape that you love.
