Diamond Shapes Guide: Compare All Diamond Cuts & Shapes

Discover the most popular diamond shapes and learn how they compare in appearance, brilliance, size and value. Explore our expert guides covering round, oval, cushion, emerald, princess, pear and other diamond shapes to help you choose the perfect diamond.

Choosing the right diamond shape is one of the most important decisions when buying a diamond. Each shape offers its own unique combination of sparkle, size, character and style. Whether you're comparing classic round brilliant diamonds, elegant ovals, vintage-inspired cushions or modern radiant cuts, our expert guides explain the key differences, advantages and buying considerations to help you find the perfect lab grown diamond for your budget and preferences.
Round cut lab grown diamond loose stone

Round Brilliant Cut

The Round Brilliant is the world's most popular diamond shape, renowned for delivering the highest levels of sparkle and fire. Its perfectly symmetrical design has been refined over generations to maximise light performance, making it the benchmark against which all other diamond shapes are compared. Ideal for buyers seeking timeless beauty and exceptional brilliance.

Oval lab grown diamond loose stone

Oval Cut

Oval diamonds combine the sparkle of a round brilliant with an elegant elongated shape. Their larger face-up appearance can make them look bigger than other diamonds of the same carat weight, while their soft curves create a sophisticated and flattering look. Oval cuts remain one of the most sought-after modern diamond shapes.

Square cushion cut lab grown diamond loose stone

Cushion Cut

Cushion cut diamonds feature soft rounded corners and a romantic appearance that has remained popular for centuries. Available in a variety of faceting styles, they can offer anything from chunky vintage flashes to intense modern brilliance. Their combination of sparkle, character and value makes them a favourite among diamond buyers.

Emerald cut lab grown diamond loose stone

Emerald Cut

Emerald cut diamonds are prized for their clean lines, large open facets and elegant hall-of-mirrors effect. Rather than focusing on intense sparkle, they showcase clarity, symmetry and sophistication. Their timeless Art Deco styling and elongated shape make them one of the most refined diamond cuts available.

Asscher cut lab grown diamond loose stone

Asscher Cut

Asscher cut diamonds are known for their square shape, cropped corners and mesmerising step-cut faceting. Similar to emerald cuts but more geometric in appearance, they create a unique hall-of-mirrors effect that highlights clarity and craftsmanship. Asscher cuts are especially popular with buyers seeking vintage-inspired elegance.

Princess lab grown diamond loose stone

Princess Cut

Princess cut diamonds offer exceptional brilliance within a modern square shape. Their sharp corners and brilliant faceting create a contemporary appearance while delivering impressive sparkle. Often providing excellent value compared to round diamonds, princess cuts remain one of the most popular choices for engagement rings.

Pear cut lab grown diamond loose stone

Pear Cut

Pear cut diamonds combine the brilliance of a round diamond with the elegant elongation of a marquise. Their distinctive teardrop shape creates a graceful silhouette that can make fingers appear longer and slimmer. Pear diamonds offer excellent sparkle while providing a unique and sophisticated alternative to traditional shapes.

Marquise cut lab grown diamond loose stone

Marquise Cut

Marquise cut diamonds are instantly recognisable for their elongated shape and pointed ends. Designed to maximise visual size, they often appear larger than other diamond shapes of the same carat weight. Their elegant silhouette and brilliant sparkle make them a striking choice for buyers seeking something distinctive.

Radiant cut lab grown diamond loose stone

Radiant Cut

Radiant cut diamonds blend the elegance of emerald cuts with the sparkle of brilliant-cut diamonds. Their cropped corners and highly faceted design create exceptional brilliance and fire, while their rectangular or square shape offers a modern, versatile appearance. Radiant cuts are ideal for buyers seeking maximum sparkle in a fancy shape.

Heart cut lab grown diamond loose stone

Heart Cut

Heart cut diamonds are the ultimate symbol of love and romance. Their unique silhouette combines brilliant-cut sparkle with strong emotional significance, creating a truly distinctive diamond shape. When expertly cut, heart diamonds offer excellent brilliance alongside a meaningful and eye-catching appearance.

Moval cut lab grown diamond loose stone

Moval Cut

Moval diamonds are a modern hybrid shape that combines the soft curves of an oval with the subtle pointed ends of a marquise. The result is an elegant elongated silhouette that offers strong sparkle, excellent finger coverage and a unique look that stands out from more traditional diamond shapes.

Portuguese cut lab grown diamond loose stone

Portuguese Cut

Portuguese cut diamonds are renowned for their intricate faceting and extraordinary sparkle. Featuring significantly more facets than traditional brilliant cuts, they produce countless flashes of light and a distinctive shimmering appearance. Their rarity and exceptional brilliance make them a fascinating choice for buyers seeking something truly unique.

Why Diamond Shape Matters

Diamond shape is one of the most important factors influencing a diamond's overall appearance. While carat weight, colour and clarity all play a role, the shape determines how a diamond reflects light, appears on the hand and fits different styles of jewellery.

Some shapes are designed to maximise sparkle, while others prioritise elegance, size appearance or vintage character. Elongated shapes such as oval, marquise and pear can often appear larger than their carat weight, while step-cut shapes like emerald and Asscher showcase clarity and symmetry rather than brilliance.

Understanding the differences between diamond shapes is one of the best ways to narrow your options and choose a diamond that matches your style, preferences and budget.

Gold tweezers holding a diamond next to a loupe on a marble surface

How to Choose a Diamond Shape

Choosing the right diamond shape ultimately comes down to personal preference, but there are several factors worth considering before making your decision.

Sparkle

If maximum brilliance is your priority, round brilliant, oval, radiant and princess cut diamonds are among the best performers.

Size Appearance

Some shapes appear larger than others at the same carat weight. Oval, marquise, pear and elongated cushion cuts typically offer a larger face-up appearance.

Style

Round, oval and cushion cuts offer timeless appeal, while emerald and Asscher cuts provide a more sophisticated, architectural look. Heart, marquise and moval cuts can offer something more distinctive.

Budget

Fancy shapes are often more affordable than round brilliant diamonds, allowing buyers to maximise carat weight without increasing budget.

Durability

Shapes with pointed corners or tips, such as princess, pear, marquise and heart cuts, may require more protective settings than shapes with rounded edges.

Diamond Shape Comparison

Every diamond shape offers unique characteristics. Here's a quick comparison of some of the most popular options.

Best for Sparkle

Round Brilliant

Oval

Radiant

Princess

Best for Size Appearance

Marquise

Oval

Pear

Elongated Cushion

Best for Value

Cushion

Princess

Emerald

Asscher

Best for Vintage Style

Cushion

Asscher

Emerald

Most Unique Shapes

Heart

Marquise

Moval

Portuguese

Most Popular Shapes

Round Brilliant

Oval

Cushion

Emerald

Trending Diamond Shapes

While classic shapes remain popular, buyer preferences continue to evolve.

Oval Cut Diamonds

Oval diamonds remain one of the most sought-after shapes thanks to their exceptional sparkle, elegant silhouette and larger face-up appearance.

Elongated Cushion Diamonds

Elongated cushions continue to grow in popularity, combining soft rounded corners with a larger-looking shape and romantic appeal.

Radiant Cut Diamonds

Radiant cuts are increasingly popular among buyers seeking maximum sparkle in a modern rectangular shape.

Moval Diamonds

A hybrid of oval and marquise cuts, moval diamonds are one of the fastest-growing shape trends thanks to their distinctive appearance and elongated proportions.

Old Mine Inspired Cuts

Vintage-inspired cushion cuts featuring chunkier facets and antique character have seen growing demand among buyers looking for something unique.

Oval cut lab grown diamond loose stone with ribbon

Diamond Shape Comparison

Compare sparkle, size appearance and overall style

Shape Sparkle Size Appearance Best For
Round BrilliantExcellentModerateMaximum Brilliance
OvalExcellentLargeElegant Appearance
CushionVery GoodLargeValue & Vintage Charm
EmeraldModerateLargeSophisticated Style
AsscherModerateModerateArt Deco Elegance
RadiantExcellentLargeModern Sparkle
PrincessExcellentModerateContemporary Design
PearExcellentLargeUnique Elegance
MarquiseVery GoodVery LargeMaximum Finger Coverage
MovalExcellentVery LargeModern Hybrid Elegance
PortugueseExceptionalLargeMaximum Scintillation

Frequently Asked Questions

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What diamond shape is best for an engagement ring?

Are fancy shape diamonds cheaper than round diamonds?

Do diamond shapes affect price?

Which diamond shape is most durable?

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GIA diamond report with a loupe on a white background

Find Your Perfect Diamond Shape

Whether you're drawn to the exceptional brilliance of a Round Brilliant, the elegant proportions of an Oval, the vintage character of a Cushion or the clean sophistication of an Emerald cut, choosing the right shape is the first step towards finding your ideal diamond.

Explore our detailed diamond shape guides above to compare each cut in more detail, or browse our collection of certified lab grown diamonds to find the perfect stone for your next project.