Popular Diamond Shapes And Cuts You Need To Know

In the world of fine jewellery, the diamond reigns supreme. From royal courts of centuries past to modern-day Bollywood red carpets, diamonds symbolise status, romance and timeless elegance. Yet beyond carat weight lies another fascination: diamond shapes and diamond cuts.

These distinctions determine not only how a gem sparkles, but also how it reflects personal style, cultural heritage and the wearer’s spirit.

Join us as we journey from the classic to the avant-garde, exploring every facet of diamond artistry.

What Is Diamond Shape?

Diamond shape refers to the outline or silhouette of a polished diamond seen from above. It describes the overall form – round, pear, heart, and so on. Shape is distinct from cut, which governs the facet arrangement that produces brilliance and fire.

For example, you would say “emerald diamond has a rectangular silhouette,” not “emerald cut,” unless you’re referring to the facet style.

Types of Diamond Cuts

While shape defines the outline, cut unlocks a diamond’s sparkle by determining how
light travels through its facets. There are three primary families of cuts:

Brilliant Cut

The brilliant cut maximizes light return with 58 facets arranged to produce exceptional fire and scintillation. The classic round diamond is the most famous example.

Step Cut

The step cut uses long, parallel facets to create broad flashes of light rather than a multitude of tiny sparkles. Emerald diamonds and asscher cut diamonds are signature examples of this facet style.

Mixed Cut

A mixed cut blends brilliant-style facets with step facets. The radiant cut diamond and certain princess cut diamonds fall into this category, combining faceting techniques to balance brilliance and shape.

Popular Diamond Shapes

Round Shaped Diamonds
The round diamond remains the most popular shape for
engagement rings, prized for its uniform sparkle. In a
diamond choker necklace, round stones create a
continuous river of light.

Oval Shaped Diamonds
First popularised in the 1960s, the oval diamond offers
an elongated outline that flatters the finger. For a short
diamond necklace, small oval shapes lend a modern,
elongated effect.

Cushion Shaped Diamonds
Also known as the pillow shape, the cushion shaped
diamond blends a square outline with rounded corners.
Its larger open facets give it a romantic fire reminiscent
of vintage jewels.

Princess Shaped Diamonds
Square with sharp corners, princess cut diamonds pair
a modern outline with facets that emulate the
brilliance of a round stone. They work beautifully in
rings, studs or across a sleek choker.

Pear Shaped Diamonds
The pear shaped diamond merges a rounded end with a
pointed tip. Its teardrop silhouette dates back to the
15th century and offers both classic romance and visual
drama in pendants or necklaces.

Emerald Shaped Diamonds
The emerald diamond silhouette is a long rectangle
with trimmed corners. Its geometric shape evokes Art
Deco glamour and demands high clarity to showcase
its elegant facets.

Marquise Shaped Diamonds
The marquise diamond features pointed ends and an
elongated body. Its naval shape makes fingers appear
longer and gives necklaces a striking focal point.

Asscher Shaped Diamonds
A square version of the step style, the asscher cut
diamond has cropped corners and concentric facets
that draw the eye inward, producing a hall-of-mirrors
effect.

Radiant Shaped Diamonds
The radiant cut diamond combines trimmed corners
with a brilliant-style facet pattern. Its rectangular or
square outline adds modern appeal while maximizing
sparkle.

Heart Shaped Diamonds
The heart shaped diamond is essentially a pear shape
with a central cleft. It symbolizes love and works best
as a pendant close to the heart.

What Is the Difference Between Diamond Shape and Diamond Cut?

Shape describes a diamond’s silhouette. Cut refers to the precision of its facets and proportions, which determine how light behaves within the stone.

Two round diamonds of equal shape can perform very differently if one has a superior cut grade. Likewise, a princess cut diamond may share the same outline as another princess shape but vary widely in brilliance based on its facet quality.

Which Diamond Shape Is the Most Popular?

Globally, the round shaped diamond leads, accounting for over 75% of engagement ring sales in key markets like the US and India, thanks to its classic outline and unmatched brilliance.

How Does Shape Influence
Diamond Pricing?

Price per carat varies by shape due to demand, yield and cutting complexity. Round diamonds often carry the highest premiums because of popularity and rough loss during cutting. Elongated shapes like marquise and pear may appear larger per carat, offering greater perceived value.

Which Shape Gives the Most Sparkle?

When proportioned ideally, the round brilliant cut delivers the greatest fire and scintillation. However, a well-executed mixed cut, such as radiant or princess, can rival its sparkle while offering a fresh geometric outline.

Choose the Right Diamond Shape for You

Selecting a diamond shape is an intimate journey through geometry, history and personal story. Whether you crave the fire-and-flashes of a brilliant style, the refined halls-of-mirrors of a step style, or the modern fusion of a mixed style, Tanishq’s artisans combine global heritage with precision to craft pieces that celebrate every facet of you.

Explore our collections today.