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.
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 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.
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
Diamond Shape Comparison
Compare sparkle, size appearance and overall style
| Shape | Sparkle | Size Appearance | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round Brilliant | Excellent | Moderate | Maximum Brilliance |
| Oval | Excellent | Large | Elegant Appearance |
| Cushion | Very Good | Large | Value & Vintage Charm |
| Emerald | Moderate | Large | Sophisticated Style |
| Asscher | Moderate | Moderate | Art Deco Elegance |
| Radiant | Excellent | Large | Modern Sparkle |
| Princess | Excellent | Moderate | Contemporary Design |
| Pear | Excellent | Large | Unique Elegance |
| Marquise | Very Good | Very Large | Maximum Finger Coverage |
| Moval | Excellent | Very Large | Modern Hybrid Elegance |
| Portuguese | Exceptional | Large | Maximum Scintillation |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular diamond shape?
The Round Brilliant remains the most popular diamond shape due to its exceptional sparkle and timeless appearance.
Which diamond shape looks the biggest?
Marquise, oval and pear diamonds often appear larger than other shapes of the same carat weight because of their elongated proportions.
Which diamond shape sparkles the most?
Round Brilliant diamonds are generally considered the most brilliant shape, followed closely by oval, radiant and princess cuts.
Which diamond shape is best value?
Cushion, princess, emerald and Asscher cuts can often provide excellent value compared to round brilliant diamonds.
What diamond shape is best for an engagement ring?
There is no single best shape. Round, oval, cushion, emerald and radiant cuts are among the most popular choices for engagement rings.
Are fancy shape diamonds cheaper than round diamonds?
In many cases, yes. Fancy shapes often cost less per carat than comparable round brilliant diamonds.
Do diamond shapes affect price?
Yes. Different shapes require different cutting methods and levels of rough diamond retention, which can significantly impact pricing.
Which diamond shape is most durable?
Round, oval and cushion cuts generally offer excellent durability due to their lack of sharp corners.
What diamond shape makes fingers look longer?
Oval, marquise, pear and elongated radiant cuts are known for creating a finger-lengthening effect.
Which diamond shape should I choose?
The best diamond shape depends on your personal style, budget and preference for sparkle, size appearance and overall design.
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.