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.

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.

Marquise-Cut Diamonds

A marquise-cut diamond is considered a classic diamond shape because it compliments any engagement ring. When selecting a marquise diamond, color and clarity are the two most important aspects to consider. A marquise diamond is cut in a way that is similar to a round brilliant diamond, except the carat weight of the stone is maximized by lengthening it into its highly recognizable boat-shape. Unfortunately, because marquise-cut diamonds have such a distinctive elongated shape, imperfections and flaws are more pronounced than they are in traditional round brilliant diamonds.