Round Cut Diamonds

Round diamonds are, by far, the most popular and sought-after diamond shape on the market today. Their timeless beauty and universal appeal make them the best option for many consumers looking to purchase an engagement ring. The first thing to consider when looking at a diamond image is the overall appearance. In many diamonds, you will see eight arrows branching from the center. Diamonds in the Ideal or True Hearts cut grades are the top diamond cuts offered on James Allen Jewelers. They have the properties required to offer the best light return, fire and brilliance, and are our customer's first choice in diamonds.

Round diamonds are cut to hide color and conceal many inclusions, so they are also the shape that many consumers purchase in the SI clarity and I-J color ranges. This works well for people on a budget, as they can get larger carat weight diamonds without sacrificing appearance, and are the most prevalent choice for engagement rings.

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.

Radiant-Cut Diamonds

Radiant diamonds are best characterized by their brilliance and facets. Radiant cut diamonds feature cropped corners (similar to a Cushion Cut) and brilliant cut (similar to a Princess Cut). Radiant shape diamonds are a great choice for people who like the square or rectangular shape the Square or Emerald but want more sparkle. Radiant cut diamonds tend to hide flaws better than Square or Emerald cuts because they are cut with many facets, whereas the latter cuts have large tables that easily show flaws.

Pear-Shaped Diamonds

Pear-Shaped Diamonds are typically a combination of a round and a marquise shape. A quality Pear diamond ought to have very good or excellent symmetry, and the point of the diamond should be in line with the apex of the rounded end. A pear-shaped diamond should be set with a prong at the point of the stone – this ensures that most flaws and inclusions will be covered by a prong. Pear diamonds typically contain 58 facets, which allows light to pass through the diamond much in the way light passes through a round diamond.