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 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.

Which Cushion Cut Is Best?

There is no single "best" cushion cut diamond. The ideal choice depends on the look you prefer:

  • Choose a cushion brilliant for larger, bolder flashes of light.

  • Choose a cushion modified brilliant for maximum sparkle and brilliance.

  • Choose a crushed ice cushion for a modern, shimmering appearance.

  • Choose an old mine cushion for vintage charm and character.

  • Choose a square cushion for classic symmetry.

  • Choose an elongated cushion for a larger-looking and more elegant silhouette.

    When comparing cushion cut diamonds, it's always worth viewing images or videos of the individual stone, as two diamonds with similar specifications can display very different light performance and visual character.
Gold tweezers holding a diamond next to a loupe on a marble surface

Why Choose a Cushion Cut?

Beautiful Sparkle

Modern cushion brilliant diamonds produce exceptional light performance, offering a lively sparkle that rivals many of the most popular diamond shapes.

Timeless Appearance

Unlike trend-driven diamond shapes, cushion cuts have remained desirable for centuries, making them a classic choice.

Better Value

Cushion cut diamonds are often priced lower than comparable round brilliant diamonds, allowing buyers to maximise carat weight within their budget.

Versatile Design

Cushion cuts complement:

  • Solitaire engagement rings
  • Halo settings
  • Hidden halo rings
  • Three-stone rings
  • Diamond earrings
  • Diamond pendants

Pros and Cons

Advantages

Excellent brilliance and fire

Softer, romantic appearance

Strong durability due to rounded corners

Often better value than round diamonds

Suitable for many ring styles

Disadvantages

Quality can vary significantly between stones

Can appear smaller than some elongated shapes

Bow-tie effect may appear in some rectangular cushions

Requires careful selection of proportions

Proportions Guide

When choosing a cushion cut diamond, proportions play a major role in appearance and sparkle.

Recommended Depth

58%–68%

Recommended Table

55%–68%

Length to Width Ratio

Square Cushion

1.00–1.05

Rectangular Cushion

1.10–1.40

The ideal ratio depends entirely on personal preference.

Cushion Cut vs Oval Cut

Oval and cushion cut diamonds are both popular alternatives to the traditional round brilliant, but they create very different visual effects.

Oval diamonds tend to elongate the finger and often appear slightly larger for their carat weight due to their stretched shape and greater surface area. Cushion cuts, on the other hand, offer a softer, more symmetrical look with rounded corners, giving a timeless and balanced feel.

Both are elegant choices — the main difference comes down to whether you prefer a sleek, lengthened appearance (oval) or a classic, softly rounded shape (cushion).

GIA diamond report with a loupe on a white background

Best Settings for Cushions

Solitaire Rings

A solitaire setting allows the cushion cut diamond to take centre stage.

Halo Rings

Halo settings enhance perceived size and increase overall sparkle.

Hidden Halo Rings

A hidden halo adds extra brilliance without changing the face-up appearance.

Three Stone Rings

Three stone designs highlight the cushion cut while adding symbolism and presence.

Are Cushions Good Value?

Yes. Cushion cut diamonds are often considered one of the best value-for-money diamond shapes available.

Their cutting process generally preserves more of the original rough diamond compared to round brilliant cuts, which means less material is lost during shaping. This improved yield helps reduce overall cost, while still maintaining strong brilliance and visual appeal.

Despite being more efficient to produce, cushion cuts still offer excellent sparkle, fire, and character when well cut, making them a popular choice for buyers who want both beauty and value.

For those looking to maximise visual impact within a set budget, cushion cuts are often an especially strong option without compromising on elegance or presence.

History of the Cushion Cut Diamond

The cushion cut traces its origins to the Old Mine Cut, one of the earliest diamond cutting styles developed during the 18th century.

Before modern cutting technology existed, craftsmen shaped diamonds by hand, creating larger facets and softer outlines. Over time, advances in cutting techniques transformed the old mine cut into the modern cushion cut we know today.

The result is a diamond shape that combines historical character with contemporary brilliance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are cushion cut diamonds popular?

Do cushion cut diamonds sparkle?

Are cushion cut diamonds good for engagement rings?

Are cushion cut diamonds more expensive?

What is the best ratio for a cushion cut diamond?

Do cushion cut diamonds look bigger?

Which is better: cushion cut or old mine cut diamond?

What is the difference between cushion cut and old mine cut diamonds?

Why are old mine cut diamonds becoming popular again?

D colour cushion cut lab grown diamond loose IGI certified

Shop Cushion Cut Diamonds

Explore our collection of hand-selected Cushion cut loose diamonds, available in a range of carat weights, colours, and clarity grades. Whether you're searching for the perfect centre stone for a bespoke piece or comparing options for an engagement ring design, our experts can help you find the ideal Cushion cut diamond.