One of the exciting things about buying diamonds today is that you have a choice of beautiful shapes. They are all very different, with unique characteristics. Of course, the shape of the diamond is paramount to the stone. This is the quality that gives your diamond personality and charm.
You can choose your diamond from the shapes shown below. If you would like to discuss your diamond with a diamond professional, please call 1800 766 567 and speak to one our diamond specialists who are trained to help you find your perfect diamond.
In this section, we will take each diamond shape in turn to help you make your choice. All shapes of diamond will scintillate, reflect and use the light in it's very own unique way. These are the qualities that attract the eye and appeal to the emotions.
The Round Diamond
This shape of diamond is probably the most popular, and is used extensively in jewellery all around the world. The round diamond has created an almost mythical interest, with diamond cutters vying with each other to maximise a stone's brilliance.
Marcel Tolkowsky developed the original round brilliant-cut diamond in 1919. The modern round brilliant cut consists of 58 facets (or 57 if the culet is excluded).
The round diamond is the most versatile of the shapes and can be matched beautifully with each of the other shapes to make a simply stunning display of sparkle. It accounts for almost 75% of all diamonds sold, due to it's beauty as a solitaire diamond.
Choosing 'ideal' or 'very good' cut grades and selecting ideal, excellent, or very good polish and symmetry grades will ensure optimum brilliance and fire. Contact us for the most exquisite Ideal Round diamonds available. View round diamond engagement rings
The Princess Cut Diamond
The princess diamond is square in shape with pointed corners. Like the round diamond, this is chosen extensively to be included in engagement rings, and is the fancy diamond shape that is the most popular.
The princess cut diamond consists of 54 facets (or 55 if the culet is excluded).
Each stone can vary uniquely in how square they are cut. Dimensions of every diamond can be different. The diagram below gives you an idea of what to look for and how to recognise each princess ratio:
Some purchasers of the Princess diamond will prefer a square shape stone while others a more rectangular style. The square stone will have a length-to-width ratio of between 1 and 1.05 whilst for a rectangular shape, ask for ratios greater that 1.10.
The Monroe Yorke Diamonds Selection of Princess diamonds are exquisite and there is sure to be the perfect stone for you in the collection. View Princess cut diamond engagement rings.
The Emerald Cut Diamond
The 'emerald' cut diamond is again of a square or rectangular shape. The stone has step cut facets at it's pavilion with a large open table and is incredibly unique in style and effect, which is almost of a mirrored quality. Stones chosen for this cut need to be of a high quality, as unlike other shapes, blemishes or inclusions can be noticed far more easily. This style has a very vintage quality and is stunningly beautiful.
Diamonds of this shape have between 50 to 58 facets and the ratios (as with the princess) can differ, therefore altering the shape of the stone. The diagram below shows what effect the ratios have on the stones:~ An archetypal emerald shape will have a length to width ration of between 1.30 and 1.40. View a selection of exquisite emerald shape diamond engagement rings.
The Asscher Diamond
The Asscher Diamond was named in 1902 after it's creator, Joseph Asscher. He was the proprietor of the Asscher Diamond Company in Amsterdam. This shape of diamond was influenced by the Art-Deco movement that was so recognisable by it's love of geometric shapes. The Asscher was the instigation of the emerald cut diamond.
The Asscher is a step-cut faceted diamond, rather like the emerald diamond. The steps of the diamond are larger than the emerald and usually favours a more squared off shape. Asscher cut diamonds have between 50 to 58 facets.
With it's higher crown and smaller table, the Asscher is designed to optimise the fire and scintillation of the stone. An ideal length to width ratio is 1 to 1, following the lines of the Art-Deco mode of design. This is a bold shape of diamond that has great beauty and elegance. Discover the beauty of the Asscher shape diamond at Monroe Yorke Diamonds.
The Marquise Diamond
Legend has it that the Sun King, Louis XIV searched for a diamond shape that would compare with the beautiful smile of the Marquise of Pompadour. Out of this desire the Marquise diamond was born.
The marquise diamond has one of the largest surface areas of all diamonds. This shape maximises carat weight of the diamond, giving you a much larger looking diamond, so is perceived as a bold shape. The Marquise cut diamond consists of 57 facets (or 56 if the culet is excluded).
This romantic story has led to the marquise being a diamond with a ratio of 1.75 - 2.25. An ideal marquise is 2 to 1. This of the 'brilliant' class of diamond and is a vivacious and sparkling stone.
The Oval Diamond
This stunningly beautiful shape of diamond was created in the 1960s by Lazare Kaplan. Generally it will have 56 – 58 facets and has an elliptical shape. In essence it is an elongated brilliant round diamond. An oval will be 20% to 25% less in terms of price than the round diamonds of similar size and it's elongated shape has the benefit of the illusion of longer, slimmer fingers.
Look for an Oval of 1.3 - 1.65 to 1, with a full middle section and symmetrical ends. It's fire and brilliance are similar to the 'brilliant' cut round diamond and is popular for this very reason.
This exquisite shaped stone also looks wonderful when accompanied by round brilliant cut diamonds. View our oval cut diamond engagement rings
The Radiant Diamond
The corners of this modified square shape of diamond is indicative of it's style. This is a very versatile shape of stone and is popular for setting with other shapes of diamonds. It can be either rectangular or square and is cut with a 'brilliant' cut facet pattern.
Classically this shape has 70 facets with a length to width ration of 1 to 1.2 - 1.5. For a more rectangular shape, the length to width should have ratios of greater than 1.10.
Where the stone is cut with greater depth, it optimises the light that enters the stone, therefore reflecting more back to the viewer.
The Pear Diamond
This pear or teardrop shaped diamond is simply stunning. Beautifully shaped for a diverse range of jewellery, including pendants and drop earrings, the style is exquisitely elegant and should have completely symmetrical curves.
The Pear-shaped diamond classically has 58 facets. The wonderful scintillation that emanates from this stone is due to it's being cut with the 'brilliant' method and is a cross between the oval shape and Marquise shape of diamonds.
This shape of diamond works well as an individual stone if being included in a ring. Accent stones are not needed to show the true beauty of this shape of stone, except perhaps when being included in earrings with a round brilliant diamond at the point as the rounded end of the shape drops down, pendant style. In pendants too, round, brilliant cut stones could be included in a design.
Traditional pear-shaped diamonds have a length to width ratio between 1.45 - 1.75. View the Monroe Yorke Diamonds's collection of exquisite pear shape diamond engagement rings.
The Heart Diamond
When one considers one of the main reasons for people to buy a diamond, the heart diamond surely must be one of the most popular shapes. The symbol of love is the most romantic of shapes. For perfection, it must be cut by a skilled cutter to ensure symmetry and to preserve it's brilliance.
Length to width ration ideally should be 1 to 1. This shape of diamond is perfect for a pendant, earrings or for a unique and classic engagement ring.
The Cushion Diamond
A charming, vintage shape of diamond, first popular in the 19th Century. This shape is also known as 'pillow' shaped and romantically, the Candlelight diamond. It has become a very popular shape in recent years due to it's romantic connotations.
Contemporary cushion shaped diamonds have 58 facets which optimises the scintillation due to their larger size, and typically should have a length to width ratio of 1.1 to 1.2. For a square cushion shape, the ratio should be between 1.0 and 1.05. For a more rectangular shape, the ratio should be greater than 1.15.
The Trilliant Diamond
The trilliant is as one would expect, shaped in a three sided triangle. Classically, this shape of diamond has a total of 31 facets. Unusually this shape has two variations; the curved cut, that is used for centre stones in a single setting, and the uncurved cut, which is generally used for side stones. An ideal ratio of length to width in a trilliant diamond is 1 to 1.
This shape of diamond was first designed by the Henry Meyer Diamond Company of New York in 1962, and is popular as a solitaire diamond.