Go to the Index of all the lessons in How to Buy an Engagement Ring.
Lesson Objective: Being informed of the options and aware of your own preferences, you’ll narrow your search for an engagement ring diamond to 4 or 5 diamond shapes.
Quick Links to Contents on This Page
The 10 Most Popular Diamond Cuts in Engagement Rings
The most popular diamond cut for your engagement ring is the one you choose. Here’s how.
Looking for the most popular diamond cuts in 2020?
The most popular engagement ring cut?
In less than 8 minutes while reading this quick, effective lesson, you’ll quickly learn what the most popular engagement ring shape is, along with a full list of other popular diamond cuts. So you can avoid mistakes, save time, and choose the best engagement ring shape for you.
I’ll walk you through a streamlined, thorough, logical system to make your own decision.
Shape is the first, most important characteristic in how a diamond looks.
That’s why I begin in my course on shopping for a diamond not with the famous 4 Cs, but with something more important: By looking for shape. By a system for you to select the best diamond engagement ring shape that fits your desires and your budget.
Shape vs Cut
What is “shape” in diamonds? What is “cut” in diamonds? What is the difference between shape and cut in diamonds?
This is the only reason it gets a little confusing.
It gets a little confusing between “cut” and “shape” only because of this:
People very often refer to a pear shape diamond by saying “Pear Shape”, as in “Come check out the best pear shaped diamond engagement rings at our site!”
People also very often use a different term with the same meaning. They say “Pear Cut.” Etc. As in, “Come shop for the best pear cut diamond engagement rings out there.”
Let’s clear up that confusion of “shape” and “cut.”
When people say, “Best pear cut diamond engagement ring,” it means the “Best pear shape diamond engagement ring.”
But if you say a diamond has “excellent cut,” you mean something different from shape. You mean the quality of the cutting skill when the diamond was made.
In these five expressions, below, the word “Cut” refers to the quality of the cutting.
- Excellent Cut
- Very Good Cut
- Good Cut
- Fair Cut
- Poor Cut
In these expressions, below, the word “Cut” refers to the shape.
- Round Brilliant Cut
- Princess Cut
- Cushion Cut
- Radiant Cut
- Emerald Cut
- Asscher Cut
- Oval Cut
- Pear Cut
- Marquise Cut
- Heart Cut
Now that you understand completely the difference between shape and cut in diamonds, let’s get to the fun part — looking for the best diamond shape for your diamond engagement ring.
Which of 10 most popular diamond cuts appeal to you?
We’re going to take 45 seconds to get familiar with these 10 most popular diamond cuts for engagement rings.
There’s more to learn about each of these diamond cuts. But the place to start is with your own eyes. With your own sense of what’s attractive to you and/or your partner.
Answer the following questions quickly in your mind.
- At this point in time, which four or five diamond cuts probably appeal to you and your significant other the most, in an engagement ring?
- Are there any diamond cuts that definitely don’t appeal to either of you two?
- What’s one difference you see between the Cushion Cut vs the Asscher Cut?
- What’s one difference you see between the Radiant Cut vs the Emerald Cut?
Now let’s dive deeper on each of the 10 most popular diamond cuts.
Round 
Round (side view) 
Princess 
Cushion 
Radiant 
Emerald (side view) 
Emerald 
Asscher 
Oval 
Pear 
Marquise 
Heart
Which four or five among the 10 most popular diamond cuts appeal to you most?
You know those four or five cuts you were most attracted to in the quiz about diamond shapes? Find each one using the Table of Contents at the top of this page.
You’re about to make some very good friends among these shapes.
And one of them just may be the one.
10 Most Popular Diamond Shapes for Engagement Rings
Let’s begin.
1. Round Brilliant Cut
The round brilliant cut of diamond is the most popular diamond shape of all. The most classic. Why? They’re the most brilliant diamond cut, meaning they return the most light upward through the top.
Round brilliant cut pros
Incredible brilliance, sparkle, and fire (that rainbow light effect). Their intense light return can hide flaws and mask slightly inferior color. Finally, the round shape goes with any setting and any person’s style.
Watch out for
They’re the most expensive among the 10 most popular diamond cuts for engagement rings. They’re also the most common diamond cut, so you won’t stand out in a crowd. They also never seem to be larger than they really are.
Round brilliant cut is most popular with
People who value tradition, classic style, and maximum brilliance and fire.
How much does a 1-carat round brilliant cut engagement ring cost?
2. Princess Cut
The Princess Cut is a traditional yet contemporary, elegant cut which allows you to have a square, not round, profile. For brilliance and fire and sparkle, they are second only to round brilliant cut diamonds.
Princess cut pros
All the advantages of the round brilliant (see above). They may stand out a little more, due to their slightly less common square profile. A 1-carat princess cut looks larger than a 1-carat round cut. (The size of the top of the princess cut is proportionally larger than a round cut.)
Watch out for
Make sure your princess cut has no “inclusions,” or flaws, in the corner. Such could break or chip. Choosing an outline setting or sturdy, protective 4-prong settings in any case.
The princess cut is most popular with
Women who want a contemporary yet conservative style. Anyone who also loves sparkle more than luster. People who like straight edges, order, and reliability.
How much does a 1-carat princess cut engagement ring cost?
3. Cushion Cut
The cushion cut is chosen by many who want something other than a round cut, but not a hard square. It’s a square cut, with softened corners, large facets, and stunning brilliance. 3rd most popular diamond shape for engagement rings for many years.
Cushion cut pros
First created over 200 years ago. Romantic and lovely shape. Less expensive than round brilliant or princess cut, which means you can get a larger one.
Watch out for
Less brilliant than rounds and princess cuts. Also, they show their true color, and don’t hide it with excessive brilliance. So you’ll need to get a better color cushion cut than if you were buying a princess or round cut.
The cushion cut is most popular with
People with softer, less formal styles. (Although it too can go with formal styles. It’s just a softer, more feminine and romantic profile.)
How much does a 1-carat cushion cut cost?
Explore many options and settings to see how flexible the pricing truly is.
4. Oval Cut
The oval cut is elegant, traditional, yet a new look on something old. The oval cut is essentially a slightly longer round cut. It has a similar amount of brilliance, too. It’s a savvy selection to elongate a woman’s finger or to emphasize the length of a finger. For a modern twist on the classic round, we love the oval diamond.
Oval cut pros
Brilliance, color masking, and flaw-hiding abilities close to its round cut sister. Less expensive than round cut diamonds. Looks larger than round cut diamonds because the oval cut is shallower, creating more surface area at the top.
Watch out for
The biggest drawback to oval cut diamonds is the bowtie effect which is common in many oval diamonds. The bowtie effect is a play of light which creates a dark bowtie pattern across the diamond when viewed from above.
The oval cut is most popular with
It’s a popular style for someone who likes round cut, but wants a diamond that is more unique, looks larger, and is still traditional.
How much does a 1-carat oval cut diamond cost?
Explore a full range of striking styles and settings of oval cut diamonds.
5. Radiant Cut
The radiant cut is unique, intricate, and daring. It combines the best aspects of several cuts — the round brilliant, princess, and Asscher cuts. It sparkles with shimmering brilliance. The beveled corners make it a good choice for anyone who likes a squarish diamond but doesn’t want the sharp, brittle corners of a princes cut.
Radiant cut pros
Good brilliance, fire, and color masking. Also easily hides flaws. Similar to the classy emerald cut, but with more sparkle and fire due to the larger number of facets. Looks good with many versatile settings.
Watch out for
Slightly more expensive than some other cuts of similar size and shape (namely the princess cut), because due to the way they’re sculpted, there’s more diamond stone wastage.
The radiant cut is most popular with
People with active lifestyles who like squarish diamonds, but can’t deal with sharp corners.
How much does a 1-carat radiant cut diamond cost?
Look at some sample prices here.
5. Emerald Cut
The emerald cut is one that emphasizes luster and clarity over brilliance, because it’s a “step cut,” not a “brilliant cut.” That means its straight facets make it easy to see deep into its lustrous interior. It exudes Old World charm and sophistication.
Emerald cut pros
Immediately stands out as glamorous Art Deco design. Brings a vintage look into the modern world. Costs much less than brilliant cuts, because it emphasizes a different kind of beauty which the masses overlook.
Watch out for
Because it emphasizes clarity and luster, it does not hide flaws. You can see right into its depths. That’s a beauty all its own, but not if it has too many inclusions. Also be sure to choose the color you prefer. Unlike brilliant cuts such as the radiant cut or the round brilliant cut, step cuts such as the emerald cut and Asscher cut do not at all hide color. (And some people do prefer toasty warmer, less expensive colors — even highly saturated Fancy colors.)
The emerald cut is most popular with
Highly glamorous and dressy styles. Confident and assertive. If she might have been a glamorous, confident flapper in the 1920s, then an emerald cut might be for her.
How much does a 1-carat emerald cut engagement ring cost?
Enjoy browsing many examples of emerald cut diamond engagement ring prices here.
6. Asscher Cut
The Asscher cut (pronounced ASHer) is another step cut, like the emerald cut, but square. It’s also elegant and dramatic, but feels a little more modern because of the square shape. It’s a good step back from full-on emerald cut assertiveness. You also have the choice of blending in when you want to, with an Asscher cut.
Asscher cut pros
Beautiful depth and luster.
Watch out for
The bowtie effect. (A play of light in which dark blobs of no-light appear in the center of the stone, when viewed from above. Some are worse than others. It’s possible to find an Asscher cut with barely a line there, much less a dark bow-tie blob.)
The Asscher cut is most popular with
Women who want the flexibility of style that comes with a deft hybrid of almost all the cuts we’ve mentioned so far, from emerald to princess.
How much does a 1-carat Asscher cut diamond engagement ring cost?
You’ll be pleasantly surprised that such an Art Deco style vintage yet modern diamond is priced less than brilliants into very affordable territory.
8. Pear Cut
The pear cut is a skillful combination of round brilliant cut and marquise cut, and stands out more than virtually any other cut of diamond. It’s also called the teardrop cut. Combining brilliance with a unique shape, it’s sure to turn heads.
Pear cut diamond pros
It brings the brilliance of the round brilliant and the uniqueness of the marquise. Can seem to elongate and slim the fingers.
Watch out for
The round end will hide color and flaws with its brilliance. The tip end will show more color and flaws. Make sure the form and symmetry of the tip, and the wings (side) is up to par. An “off looking” pear shaped diamond isn’t pleasing. Also make sure that the tip isn’t weakened by a flaw. It’s best to protect it with metal of the setting.
The pear cut is most popular with
Women who love glamorous shape, and old school elegance with a whimsical possibility. It works very well as a solitaire stone or halo setting.
How much does a 1-carat pear cut diamond engagement ring cost?
You’ll love some of the halo and pave settings, as well as the prices, which are lower than many of the other brilliants.
9. Marquise Cut
The marquise cut, also known as the football shape diamond, is perhaps the longest cut of diamond possible. It’s flamboyant, showy, and stand out in a crowd like no other. Also called a navette. It was invented at the behest of King Louis VX in the 1700s, when he asked a jeweler to make a diamond in the shape of his lover’s lips.
Marquise cut pros
It’s not expensive, relative to other diamonds, but it looks larger than any other diamond, carat for carat. That’s because it’s a shallow cut, with maximum surface area. It’s also a brilliant cut, so it will have a shower of sparks shooting out of it.
Watch out for
Because it’s so long, take great care. Any small deviation from symmetry will be visible in such a long diamond. Watch for the bowtie effect, too.
The marquise cut is most popular with
Showy styles who aren’t afraid to dress up, or to wear an impressive piece of rock even dressed down. Definitely be ready to talk about it because people love the marquise shape.
How much does a 1-carat marquise cut diamond engagement ring cost?
These are less expensive than other brilliant cuts, even though many people find them more impressive. The reason is that more people want to play it safe with a round brilliant cut. So the lesser demand for the unique marquise cut means lower prices for you to browse.
10. Heart Cut
The heart cut is not traditionally used for engagement rings, but in an age like ours which is putting tradition aside, they’re becoming more popular. Actually a variant of the round brilliant. (Can you see it?)
Pros
An unmistakable symbol and statement of unabashed romantic love. Impressive brilliance. Lower prices than other brilliant cuts.
Watch out for
Be sure to get at least a 0.75-Carat stone if you opt for heart cut. If it’s much smaller than that, people won’t be able to easily see its unique shape. Also, be careful of the form and the symmetry. The heart should look like a heart, with well formed lobes and a nice point.
The heart cut diamond is most popular with
True romantics. Full stop.
How much does a 1-carat heart cut diamond engagement ring cost?
Although it’s rare, it’s not expensive relative to other diamonds. Enjoy comparing prices (and admiring the romantic beauties).
