Diamond Traces offers an extensive collection of quality round brilliant cut diamonds, along with a large selection of diamonds of other shapes, collectively known as “fancy” shapes. When shopping for a diamond, the first step is to decide on the shape. Since all diamond shapes are very different, unique characteristics determine quality for each shape.
Round Cut
The round brilliant cut is by the far the most popular shape and the most readily available in every possible quality and size. A round diamond will typically give you more flexibility in balFancing cut, color, and clarity grades while still getting a high level of fire and brilliance. The round shape, however, is generally more expensive than other shapes because it loses more weight in the cutting process than other shapes.
The princess cut is the second most popular shape, after the round brilliant. Its beautiful brilliance and unique cut make it a favorite for engagement rings. The princess has pointed corners and is traditionally square in shape. However, princess-cut diamonds can vary greatly in how square or rectangular they are. Look for the length to width ratio on the Details page for the diamond to determine its exact shape (squares have length-to-width ratios between 1 and 1.05, and rectangles have ratios greater than 1.10). When choosing a color grade, consider that color may be slightly visible at the corners.
Due to its larger, open table, the emerald cut highlights the clarity of a diamond. Therefore, with this shape, it’s important to select a diamond with higher clarity. The emerald cut can vary from square to rectangular in shape. Square emeralds are known as Asscher-cut diamonds, and have length to width ratios of 1.00 to 1.05. For the classic emerald-cut shape, look for a length-to-width ratio between 1.30 and 1.40.
Due to its larger, open table, the assher cut highlights the clarity of a diamond. Therefore, with this shape, it’s important to select a diamond with higher clarity. The assher cut can vary from square to rectangular in shape. Square emeralds are known as Asscher-cut diamonds, and have length to width ratios of 1.00 to 1.05. For the classic emerald-cut shape, look for a length-to-width ratio between 1.30 and 1.40.
The shape of a marquise diamond can maximize carat weight, giving you a much larger-looking diamond. Another positive attribute of this shape is it can make fingers appear long and slender. For the most traditional marquise-cut diamonds, look for length-to-width ratios between 1.75 and 2.25. Color may be visible in the corners, so a higher color grade is preferable.
An oval diamond has beautiful brilliance that's similar to a round diamond. Oval diamonds are also very popular as their length can accentuate long, slender fingers. For the most traditional oval diamonds, look for length-to-width ratios between 1.33 and 1.66.
Trimmed corners are the signature feature of this shape. Radiant-cut diamonds can vary in their degree of rectangularity. For a square shape, look for length-to-width ratios between 1 and 1.05. If you prefer more of a rectangular shape, look for length-to-width ratios greater than 1.10.
This brilliant-cut diamond is also called a teardrop for its single point and rounded end. If you choose an elongated pear shape, the length of the diamond creates a subtle slimming effect on the fingers. For the most traditional pear-shaped diamond, look for a length-to-width ratio between 1.45 and 1.75. The sharp corner of the pear can make color more visible, so stick to the higher end of the color grade spectrum.
The heart is the ultimate symbol of love. The unique look of the heart-shaped diamond helps make it a distinctive choice for a variety of diamond jewelry. For a more traditional heart-shaped diamond, look for length-to-width ratios between .90 and 1.10. The sharp corner of the heart shape can make color more visible, so avoid lower color grades.
Cushion-cut diamonds (also known as "pillow-cut" diamonds) have rounded corners and larger facets to increase their brilliance. These larger facets highlight the diamond's clarity, so a higher clarity grade is recommended. Cushion-cut diamonds can also range from square to rectangular. For a square shape, look for length-to-width ratios between 1 and 1.05, and 1.15 and greater for a rectangular shape.
The round brilliant cut is by the far the most popular shape and the most readily available in every possible quality and size. A round diamond will typically give you more flexibility in balFancing cut, color, and clarity grades while still getting a high level of fire and brilliance. The round shape, however, is generally more expensive than other shapes because it loses more weight in the cutting process than other shapes.
The princess cut is the second most popular shape, after the round brilliant. Its beautiful brilliance and unique cut make it a favorite for engagement rings. The princess has pointed corners and is traditionally square in shape. However, princess-cut diamonds can vary greatly in how square or rectangular they are. Look for the length to width ratio on the Details page for the diamond to determine its exact shape (squares have length-to-width ratios between 1 and 1.05, and rectangles have ratios greater than 1.10). When choosing a color grade, consider that color may be slightly visible at the corners.
Due to its larger, open table, the emerald cut highlights the clarity of a diamond. Therefore, with this shape, it’s important to select a diamond with higher clarity. The emerald cut can vary from square to rectangular in shape. Square emeralds are known as Asscher-cut diamonds, and have length to width ratios of 1.00 to 1.05. For the classic emerald-cut shape, look for a length-to-width ratio between 1.30 and 1.40.
Due to its larger, open table, the assher cut highlights the clarity of a diamond. Therefore, with this shape, it’s important to select a diamond with higher clarity. The assher cut can vary from square to rectangular in shape. Square emeralds are known as Asscher-cut diamonds, and have length to width ratios of 1.00 to 1.05. For the classic emerald-cut shape, look for a length-to-width ratio between 1.30 and 1.40.
The shape of a marquise diamond can maximize carat weight, giving you a much larger-looking diamond. Another positive attribute of this shape is it can make fingers appear long and slender. For the most traditional marquise-cut diamonds, look for length-to-width ratios between 1.75 and 2.25. Color may be visible in the corners, so a higher color grade is preferable.
An oval diamond has beautiful brilliance that's similar to a round diamond. Oval diamonds are also very popular as their length can accentuate long, slender fingers. For the most traditional oval diamonds, look for length-to-width ratios between 1.33 and 1.66.
Trimmed corners are the signature feature of this shape. Radiant-cut diamonds can vary in their degree of rectangularity. For a square shape, look for length-to-width ratios between 1 and 1.05. If you prefer more of a rectangular shape, look for length-to-width ratios greater than 1.10.
This brilliant-cut diamond is also called a teardrop for its single point and rounded end. If you choose an elongated pear shape, the length of the diamond creates a subtle slimming effect on the fingers. For the most traditional pear-shaped diamond, look for a length-to-width ratio between 1.45 and 1.75. The sharp corner of the pear can make color more visible, so stick to the higher end of the color grade spectrum.
The heart is the ultimate symbol of love. The unique look of the heart-shaped diamond helps make it a distinctive choice for a variety of diamond jewelry. For a more traditional heart-shaped diamond, look for length-to-width ratios between .90 and 1.10. The sharp corner of the heart shape can make color more visible, so avoid lower color grades.
Cushion-cut diamonds (also known as "pillow-cut" diamonds) have rounded corners and larger facets to increase their brilliance. These larger facets highlight the diamond's clarity, so a higher clarity grade is recommended. Cushion-cut diamonds can also range from square to rectangular. For a square shape, look for length-to-width ratios between 1 and 1.05, and 1.15 and greater for a rectangular shape.
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