Diamond Shapes
The first step in choosing your diamond, is to decide on which of the different shapes you want. With so many to choose from it is important that you take your time and learn about all their benefits and backgrounds to ensure you select the one that best reflects you and your taste.
Round Brilliant
The iconic Round Brilliant, renowned for its unrivalled fire and brilliance, is the most popular diamond shape. Its roots date back to 15th Century Belgium, and has evolved since then, adding more facets and characteristics as gemologists strived to perfect the shape's potential. However, it wasn't until the 20th Century that diamond cutting technology was advanced enough for mathematicians to precisely engineer the shape into the geometric masterpiece that we know today.
The higher price point of the round shape is not only due to its brilliance but also the high demand and the cutter having to discard more than 50% of the rough diamond in-order to achieve such geometric excellence.
When bought with a high grade cut, a round diamond will clearly display the hearts and arrows effect on the surface, making it stand out amongst all other diamonds in the room. It is because of this that we at Aurorastone will only ever select diamonds for our jewellery that are graded at a minimum of a very good cut, the second highest grading on the gemologist's scale.
A timeless classic that can be handed down and adored from generation to generation.
Oval
If you’re interested in differentiating yourself from the masses without sacrificing brilliance, choose an oval diamond ring.
With 58 facets and a rounded shape, oval cut diamonds capture the same allure as a modern round brilliant cut diamond, but with the added elegance of an elongated shape helping flatter the length of the finger appearing more slender. Furthermore, oval cuts appear larger than round cuts, making them a sophisticated alternative to the round brilliant.
It’s oval shape also gives it a 10% larger surface area than brilliant and princess shapes. Combine this with it’s affordability due to less demand, and you really can get great value by choosing the oval cut.
Princess
With its modern square shape and captivating sharp corners from above, and inverted pyramid profile from the sides, the princess cut has quickly risen be to one of the most popular diamond choices in recent times. It is a relatively new shape, which was developed in the 1970’s and has been admired for its symmetry and precision ever since. However, it was only in 2009 that the princess ideal cut diamond was perfected and took its place in the diamond hall of fame. Second in demand only to the Brilliant round, but often chosen above it as the shape offers considerable savings as an alternative allowing you to get more carat weight for your budget.
Now fit for royalty this cut is guaranteed to be a timeless classic that lasts through the ages.
Cushion
Consistently one of the most popular diamond shapes used in engagement rings, most recently recognised for being chosen by Prince Harry as the centre stone in Meghan Markle’s stunning three-stone engagement ring.
As the name suggests, the cushion cut comes in either a square or rectangular shape with rounded corners resembling a cushion. The cut may not be as brilliant as Round Brilliants, but having larger facets allows for a higher separation of white light into spectral colours.
Although the cushion cut may be seen as a modern shape, the origins of this beautiful diamond can be traced back to the 19th century. Since then, the shape has transformed through several variations as it evolved and developed, benefiting from the invention of cleaving which helped maximise the shape’s ability to disperse light in a brilliant spectacle of colour.
Emerald
The unmistakable emerald cut, clean sleek and elegant, a unique and trendy alternative to the popular brilliant cuts like round and princess. Designed with perfect proportions practising the same cutting techniques as emerald gemstones, using 'step cuts' around its edges.
One of the oldest cuts, the emerald has roots as far back as a few thousand years. More recently, the shape gained popularity during the 1920’s Art Deco movement, favoured for its straight clean lines and hall of mirrors visual effect created by its step cuts. Subsequently it is now extremely common to find in vintage engagement rings.
Being a niche shape, it’s therefore less in demand than other cuts. This, combined with its minimal wastage of the rough diamond during the cutting process, makes it a very affordable option, allowing you to get more carat weight from your budget whilst glamorously standing out from the crowd.
Marquise
Created for French royalty, the marquise diamond redefined regal grandeur and feminine appeal with its lustrous curves and tapered points. Playing a star role in the British crown jewels it’s no surprise that the cut has always been a stately choice for the affluent and modern-day celebrities.
It’s origins date back to the 18th century when King Louis XV of France commissioned a jeweller to design a cut shape that resembled the beautiful lips of his mistress, Jean Antoinette Poisson, the Marchioness Madame de Pompadour.
If you are looking for the largest possible diamond from your budget, look no further than the Marquise. Its shape maximises carat weight, making it look much larger than other shapes of a similar carat.
Because of its long, narrow shape, marquise cuts are often also credited for flattering the length of the finger, giving it a longer and more slender appearance.
The above covers just some of our favourite shapes, if you have any questions regarding any others that you may want to source please do get in contact here