Diamond shapes guide
How each shape looks, wears, and prices
"Shape" is the outline of the diamond — round, oval, square, and so on — and it's the most personal choice you'll make. It changes how big the stone looks, how much it sparkles, and what it costs per carat. Here's a quick, honest tour of the most popular shapes.
Round
The classic. Cut to return the most light, so it sparkles harder than any other shape — and, because it's the most in-demand and wastes the most rough, usually the priciest per carat. See round diamonds in stock →
Oval
A round's brilliance in an elongated outline. Looks larger for its carat weight and flatters the finger. A length-to-width ratio around 1.35–1.45 gives the most pleasing silhouette. See oval diamonds in stock →
Princess
Square with sharp corners and tons of fire. A modern, geometric look that typically costs less per carat than a round. See princess diamonds in stock →
Emerald
A rectangular 'step cut' with long, open facets. Less sparkle, more of a clear, hall-of-mirrors elegance — and it shows clarity, so aim for an eye-clean stone. See emerald diamonds in stock →
Cushion
A soft square with rounded corners, like a pillow. Romantic and vintage-feeling, with big, beautiful sparkle. See cushion diamonds in stock →
Pear
A teardrop — round on one end, pointed on the other. Elongating and distinctive; wear it with the point toward the fingernail. See pear diamonds in stock →
Marquise
A long, pointed oval ('boat' shaped) that maximizes apparent size and makes fingers look slender. The most carat-for-your-eye of any shape. See marquise diamonds in stock →
Radiant
Think emerald outline with brilliant-cut sparkle — the best of both worlds: a clean rectangular shape that still throws plenty of light. See radiant diamonds in stock →
Asscher
A square step cut with cropped corners and a deep, mesmerizing center. Art-deco character; like the emerald, choose a higher clarity. See asscher diamonds in stock →
Heart
Unmistakably romantic. A skilled cut and good symmetry are everything here — the two halves should mirror each other cleanly. See heart diamonds in stock →
So which should you pick?
If you want maximum sparkle, go round. If you want the most size for your budget, an oval, marquise, or pear reads larger per carat. If you love a clean, understated look, an emerald or asscher is timeless — just keep the clarity high. There's no wrong answer; pick the one that makes you smile. When you're ready, browse the full collection or filter by shape to see what's available right now.