Search Diamonds
Search Options
Diamond AssistantHover over a search option to learn more about that diamond attribute.
Advanced Options
Learn More About Diamonds

Princess Cut Diamonds

Princess cut diamonds are the second most popular shape diamond for engagement rings. They are a wonderful option for people that like the brilliance of a round diamond but prefer a more square appearance. They will appear smaller than round diamonds, though, due to their shape and typically greater depth. The top of a Princess-cut diamond is either square or rectangular, while the bottom looks like an inverted pyramid. Princess cut diamonds are a relatively new diamond cut and were specifically designed to maximize brilliance. This is largely due to the fact that they are cut to follow the natural crystalline structure of the diamond. They also offer great value per carat, as more of the rough diamond is preserved in the cutting process. Princess diamonds are cut to achieve the highest degree of brilliance and offer maximum light return.

Oval-Cut Diamonds

Oval diamonds are popular choice for engagement rings because they offer great fire and brilliance. Similar to round diamonds in their light return, oval-cut diamonds are known for their unique shape and aesthetic appeal. This diamond shape has an additional advantage of appearing larger than its actual carat size because of its elongated shape. When set in engagement rings, oval-cut diamonds serve to elongate fingers, which gives them an air of grace and elegance.

Heart-Shaped Diamonds

A heart shaped diamond has a cleft at the top of the stone and typically flaunts great brilliance. For obvious reasons, heart shaped diamonds are considered the most romantic of all the diamond shapes. When finding the right heart diamond for an engagement ring, symmetry must not be overlooked – the two halves of the heart should be identical. As a general rule, heart shaped diamonds smaller than .50 carats are not a good selection, as they will appear smaller after being set in prongs. Three prong and bezel settings are the best match for heart diamonds.

Cushion-Cut Diamonds

Cushion diamonds are an interesting combination of rounded corners on a square or rectangular frame. There are two cutting styles for this shape: Cushion Brilliant, which is a more vintage cut with chunkier facets and larger flashes of light return, and Cushion Modified Brilliant, which is more akin to a modern-day round diamond cut with smaller facets and more rapid light return. Cushion cut diamonds have been around for over two centuries and as a result, offer a very antique feel for an engagement ring.

© 2013 James Allen - All Rights Reserved.