Diamond Shapes

Diamonds are cut in many different shapes and DiamondExchange applies the same high quality standards to all of our diamond shapes. We not only have an exceptional range of round brilliant cut diamonds but we also offer thousands of the finest non-round diamonds, also called fancy cut diamonds. All of our diamonds come with GIA certificates and range from D to J colour, FL to SI2 clarity and have Ideal, Excellent, Very Good and Good cut grades.

Each diamond shape has its own individual characteristics and the best shape for you is a matter of taste. Select a diamond shape below to learn about each of the different shapes available at DiamondExchange and choose the right one for you.

Round Brilliant Cut

The round brilliant cut diamond is by far the most popular and most researched diamond shape available today. For almost 100 years, diamond cutters have been using advanced theories of light behavior and precise mathematical calculations to optimize the fire and brilliance in a round brilliant cut diamond. Generally, a round brilliant cut diamond has 58 facets, 33 facets in the crown (top) and 25 in the pavilion (bottom). The proportions and relationship between these facets dictate the cut grade of the diamond. The polish and symmetry of the round brilliant cut diamond are also very important. "Polish" indicates the smoothness of the diamond's facets and "symmetry" indicates how the facets are aligned. If the polish is sub-standard, the surfaces of the facets will be dull. If the symmetry is sub-standard, the light flowing in and out of the diamond will be poorly directed.

To maximize the brilliance of a round brilliant cut, DiamondExchange recommends you select one in the three highest grades, Ideal, Excellent or Very Good, for cut, polish and symmetry. For the finest round brilliant cut diamonds available, view our "Ice on Fire" Diamond Collection. 

Princess Cut

The princess cut diamond is a very popular cut, rating second only to the Round Brilliant Cut. Its beautiful brilliance and unique shape makes it a favorite for engagement rings. The princess cut, which is sometimes referred to as the "square modified brilliant" has pointed corners and is traditionally square in shape. As colour can be more noticeable in the corners where the facets converge DiamondExchange recommends a colour grading of D to H. For princess cut diamonds we suggest a cut grading of Ideal, Excellent or Very Good. This high grading means the diamond's light performance will be superior, enhancing the beauty and value of the diamond.

Also, princess-cut diamonds can vary greatly in how square or rectangular they are. To find the dimensions of princess cut you want, look for the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond's detail page. This will determine what the diamond will look like when viewing it from above. For a princess diamond shape that is square, look for length-to-width ratios between 1 and 1.05. If you prefer a more rectangular shape, look for length-to-width ratios greater than 1.10. 

Emerald Cut

The Emerald Cut diamond with its long clean lines is a beautiful and elegant alternative to the ‘traditional’ range of diamond cuts. The bottom, or pavilion, of this shape diamond is cut with rectangular facets creating broader flashes of brilliance rather than fiery sparkles of light. The top of the emerald cut diamond has a large open table making flaws such as colour, sub-standard cut and inclusions, more easily seen, even with the naked eye. DiamondExchange recommends, for emerald cut diamonds, a colour grade of D to H, a clarity grade of FL to VS2 and a cut grade of Ideal, Excellent or Very Good. 

Also, emerald cut diamonds can vary greatly in how rectangular they are. If you'd prefer an emerald cut which is square, look at our range of Asscher cut diamonds. To find the shape of emerald cut you want, look for the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond's detail page. The length-to-width ratio will determine what the diamond will look like when viewed from above. For the classic emerald cut shape, look for a length-to-width ratio between 1.30 and 1.40. 

Asscher Cut

This beautifully unique shape is nearly identical to the emerald cut diamond, except that it is square. The bottom, or pavilion, of the Asscher cut diamond is cut with rectangular facets creating reflections of broader flashes of brilliance rather than fiery sparkles of light. The top of the Asscher cut diamond has an open table making flaws such as colour, sub-standard cut and inclusions, more easily seen, even with the naked eye DiamondExchange recommends, for Asscher cut diamonds, a colour grade of D to H, a clarity grade of FL to VS2 and a cut grade of Ideal, Excellent or Very Good.

All Asscher cut diamonds from DiamondExchange will appear square, because each one is guaranteed to have a length-to-width ratio between 1.00 and 1.05. 

Marquise Cut

The marquise cut diamond is beautiful and dramatic. When set in an engagement ring its length and pointed ends make fingers appear long and slender. The shape of a marquise diamond can maximize carat weight, giving you a much larger-looking diamond. This cut is a variation of the round brilliant cut and similarly, the better the cut, the more brilliant the diamond. DiamondExchange recommends a cut grading of Ideal, Excellent or Very Good for a marquise cut diamond. Because colour can be more noticeable at the points where the facets converge we suggest a colour grading of D to H.

To find the dimension of marquise you want, look for the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond's detail page. The length-to-width ratio will determine what the diamond will look like when viewed from the top. For the most traditional marquise cut diamonds, look for length-to-width ratios between 1.75 and 2.25.

Pear Shape

The pear shape diamond is an eye-catching cut. It is also called the ‘teardrop’ shape because it is rounded at one end and pointed at the other. The unique look of the pear shape helps make it a popular choice for engagement rings. If you choose an elongated pear shape, the length of the diamond creates a subtle slimming effect on your finger. As colour can be more noticeable at the point where the facets converge DiamondExchange suggests a colour grading of D to H. The pear shape is a variation of the round brilliant cut and similarly, the better the cut, the more intense the brilliance of the diamond. We therefore recommend a cut grading of Ideal, Excellent or Very Good for a pear shape diamond.

To understand what the diamond will look like when viewing it from above, look for the length-to-width ratio on each diamond's detail page. For the most traditional pear shape diamond, look for a length-to-width ratio between 1.45 and 1.75.

Radiant Cut

The radiant cut diamond is becoming very popular because of its versatility. It combines the beautiful brilliance of a princess cut with its many facets, and the shape of an emerald cut or Asscher cut with its trimmed corners. DiamondExchange recommends a cut grading of Ideal, Excellent or Very Good for the radiant cut diamond. This high grading ensures maximum fire and brilliance.

Radiant cut diamonds can also vary in how rectangular they are. To find the dimension of radiant you want, look for the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond's detail page. The length-to-width ratio will determine what the diamond will look like when viewed from above. For a radiant shape that is square, look for length-to-width ratios between 1 and 1.05. If you prefer more of a rectangular shape, look for length-to-width ratios greater than 1.10.

Oval Cut

The oval shape diamond is a beautiful cut, its brilliance similar to that of the round brilliant cut diamond. Oval diamonds are also very popular as their length can accentuate long, slender fingers. To maximize the brilliance of this variation of the round brilliant cut, the cut grading is very important. DiamondExchange recommends a cut grading of Ideal, Excellent or Very Good for oval cut diamonds.

Oval cut diamonds can vary in shape. To find the dimensions of oval you want, look for the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond's detail page. The length-to-width ratio will determine what the diamond will look like when viewed from above. For the most traditional oval diamonds, look for length-to-width ratios between 1.33 and 1.66.

Heart Shape

The heart shape diamond is perhaps the most romantic shape for a diamond. As the ultimate symbol of love the heart shape is a popular choice for diamond engagement rings. As colour can be more noticeable at the point of the heart where the facets converge DiamondExchange recommends a colour grading of D-H. For heart shape diamonds we suggest a cut grading of Ideal, Excellent or Very Good. This high grading means the diamond's light performance will be superior, enhancing the beauty and value of the diamond.

Heart shapes can vary in their shape. To find the dimension of heart shape you want, look for the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond's detail page. The length-to-width ratio will determine what the diamond will look like when viewed from above. For a more traditional heart shape diamond, look for length-to-width ratios between .90 and 1.10.

Cushion Cut

Cushion cut diamonds have been popular for over a century. With its unique rounded corners this shape is also known as the ‘pillow cut’. Cushion shape diamonds are cut with larger facets which increase their brilliance but can also highlight the diamond’s clarity. For this reason DiamondExchange recommend a clarity grading of FL to SI1. To further maximize the brilliance of the cushion shape we suggest a cut grading of Ideal, Excellent or Very Good.

Cushion cut diamonds are available in shapes ranging from square to rectangular. To find the dimension of cushion you want, look for the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond's detail page. The length-to-width ratio will determine what the diamond will look like when viewed from above. For a cushion cut diamond that is square, look for length-to-width ratios between 1 and 1.05. If you prefer more of a rectangular shape, look for length-to-width ratios greater than 1.15.