Diamond Shapes

Shape is always a significant consideration when shopping for any diamond. While the 4C's are extremely important, the shape of the stone will have a major impact on a diamond's appearance and how much it is enjoyed by the recipient.

People often confuse a diamond's shape with its cut and the two characteristics are frequently listed side-by-side. For example, a "Round Brilliant" diamond is one with a Round shaped diamond with a Brilliant cut style. Whereas shape refers to the physical form and contour of the diamond, the quality of its cut dictates overall proportion and how it reacts to light. A diamond's sparkling character and reflective brilliance increases in proportion to the fineness of its cut.

In addition to ever-popular Round diamonds, there are a variety of other shapes available to appeal to any taste and preference. These latter shapes are collectively referred to as "fancy cut" diamonds.

RBC

The Round Brilliant Cut (RBC)

The modern round brilliant consists of 58 facets (or 57 if the culet is excluded); 33 on the crown (the top half above the middle or girdle of the stone) and 25 on the pavilion (the lower half below the girdle). The girdle may be frosted, polished smooth, or faceted. In recent decades, most girdles are faceted; many have 32, 64, 80, or 96 facets; these facets are excluded from the total facet count. Likewise, some diamonds may have small extra facets on the crown or pavilion that were created to remove surface imperfections during the diamond cutting process. Depending on their size and location, they may hurt the symmetry of the cut and are therefore considered during cut grading.

Ovan

The Oval or Ovan Cut

Oval Shape Diamonds are cut in a brilliant cut style similar to round diamonds. The oval cut diamond is comparable to a brilliant cut with an oval shape. A common issue with oval cuts (as well as other related cuts) is proper proportion and the bow-tie effect - which is a dark bow-tie shaped dull area in the center of the diamond. Oval Shape Diamonds have become extremely popular for engagement rings. This diamond shape provides a larger surface area than a RBC diamond of the same weight and therefore are an excellent choice if you want the brilliance of a RBC and also a bigger diamond for your dollar. At Brisbane Diamond Exchange we have a large selection of certified Oval Shape Diamonds in all sizes.

Ovan

The Princess Cut

The Princess cut is the second most popular cut shape for diamonds, (RBC being the first) The face-up shape of the princess cut is square or rectangular and the profile or side-on shape is similar to that of an inverted pyramid with four beveled sides . It is normally cut square rather than rectangular. The square princess cut diamond is usually slightly cheaper than round brilliant cut diamonds of the same carat weight because it retains about 80% of the rough diamond. Princess Cut Diamonds are the most popular non-round shape diamond. The ability to retain more crystal weight makes this shape popular amongst diamond cutters.Here at Brisbane Diamond Exchange we have a large selection of loose certified Princess Cut Diamonds in all sizes. Princess cut diamondsare a favourite diamond choice for engagement rings. Select from our supply of HRD & GIA Certified Princess Cut Diamonds & Engagement Rings.

Ovan

The Baguette Cut

T he slender, rectangular baguette (from the French, resembling a loaf of bread) was and is the most common form of the step cut: today, it is most often used as an accent stone to flank a ring's larger central (and usually brilliant-cut) stone . At Brisbane Diamond Exchange you can select from our supply of loose certified Baguette Cut Diamonds in all sizes.. Select from our supply of HRD & GIA Certified Baguette Cut Diamonds & Engagement Rings..

Ovan

The Emerald Cut

The Emerald Cut Diamond is not a brilliant cut, but is a step cut diamond. Step cuts are comprised of larger facets in rows. These cut facets resemble a set of stairs, hence the name step cut diamond. The bevelled corners on an Emerald Cut Diamond help protect the stone and give it a an unique and classic elegance. At Brisbane Diamond Exchange you can select from our supply of loose certified Baguette Cut Diamonds in all sizes. Select from our supply of HRD & GIA Certified Princess Cut Diamonds & Engagement Rings.

Ovan

The Trillant Cut

Trilliant Cut Diamonds are one of the more unusual diamond cuts. This is a very special diamond cut, comprised of fifty facets, assembling a triangle shape, three sided diamond. This cut was created by the Henry Meyer Diamond Company, aiming to create a new cut which would have high fire and brilliance levels. The best cut trilliant shape diamonds have identical three sides and also known as Trillion or Trielle cut diamonds.. Trilliant cut diamonds are an excellent choice for shoulder diamonds to enhance a square or rectangular shaped centre diamond and they have become increasingly popular for engagement rings. At Brisbane Diamond Exchange you can select from our supply of loose certified Baguette Cut Diamonds in all sizes. Select from our supply of HRD & GIA Certified Trilliant Cut Diamonds & Engagement Rings..

Ovan

The Pear Cut

Pear Shape Diamonds are also called the "teardrop diamond", a variation of the Brilliant cut, a combination of a Round & a Marquise shaped diamond cut. A typical Pear shape diamond has 58 facets. A Pear shape diamond is popular for people who like the look of a round diamond but would like the style of a fancy shape diamond. At Brisbane Diamond Exchange you can select from our supply of loose certified Baguette Cut Diamonds in all sizes. Select from our supply of HRD & GIA Certified Pear Cut Diamonds & Engagement Rings.

Heart

The Heart Cut

Essentially a pear-shaped diamond with a cleft at the top containing 59 facets. Being in a the shape of a heart makes this diamond highly desirable for romantic occasions and perfect diamond for Valentine\'s Day gift. Heart shaped diamonds are almost round in appearance and they provide a beautiful brilliance. The technical name for this stone is the "Heart-Shaped Modified Brilliant," because the cut is based on a round brilliant cut. At Brisbane Diamond Exchange you can select from our supply of loose certified Baguette Cut Diamonds in all sizes. Select from our supply of HRD & GIA Certified Heart Cut Diamonds & Engagement Rings.

Asscher

The Asscher Cut

A diamond cut named after its inventor, Joseph Asscher, this is a square cut diamond with 72 facets. The Asscher Cut Diamond is nearly identical to the emerald cut diamond. Asscher Cut Diamonds are often reffered to as a square emerald cut diamond. At Brisbane Diamond Exchange we have a large selection of loose certified Asscher Cut Diamonds in all sizes. Asscher cut diamonds have small tables, high crowns, step facets & deep pavillions and also have a distinctive windmill pattern. We can supply HRD & GIA Certified Asscher Cut Diamonds & Engagement Rings.

Cushion

The Cushion Cut

A mixed-cut diamond shaped like a square pillow the Cushion Cut Diamonds were an extremely popular cut shape in the 1900's. Cushion Cut Diamonds are also known as "pillow-cut" diamonds. At Brisbane Diamond Exchange you can select from our supply of loose certified Cushion Cut Diamonds in all sizes. A cushion cut diamond has a square or squarish-rectangular cut with rounded corners. Cushion cut diamond engagement rings make a romantic ring design with their larger facets in which increase their brilliance. We can supply HRD & GIA Certified Cushion Cut Diamonds & Engagement Rings.

BUYER'S TIPS - Which Shape should you choose?

There are many shapes of diamonds to choose from and their attractiveness ultimately depends on the personal preference of the wearer. It is always a good idea to get a sense of preferred diamond shape before buying a stone for that special someone.
The above listed shapes refer to the most commonly used diamond names. Some of these shape names are trademarked. Accordingly, diamond laboratories sometimes use different names in order to respect branding restrictions. For example, Princess-cut diamonds are sometimes called Square Modified Brilliant and Asscher-cut stones are also known as Square Emerald-cut.