Diamond shapes compared
Round, oval, princess, cushion, emerald, pear and more – how each shape looks on the hand and what to watch for.
The shape is about style first. Round brilliants sparkle the most; elongated shapes like oval, pear and marquise look larger per carat and make fingers look longer.
Round
The classic, with the most brilliance. Also the most expensive per carat.
Oval and pear
Look large for their weight. Watch for the "bow-tie" – a dark area across the middle – on the photo or video.
Princess and cushion
Square or softly rounded square shapes with lots of fire. Protect princess corners with prongs.
Emerald and asscher
Step cuts with a calm "hall of mirrors" look. They show inclusions more easily, so choose higher clarity.