Buyers Guide

A Comprehensive Guide to Gemstone Shapes for Engagement Rings

Choosing the perfect gemstone shape is all about finding the one that matches your style, personality, and the type of sparkle you want. From timeless classics to modern innovations, each shape has something unique to offer. Here’s your guide to understanding what makes each shape special.

Round

Why it’s loved
The round brilliant cut is the most iconic and popular diamond shape, delivering unmatched sparkle and fire. Its 58 facets are precisely cut to maximize light return, making it a true showstopper.

Spotlight feature
Known for its exceptional brilliance, the round brilliant cut’s sparkle is unrivaled by other shapes. If you want a diamond that literally catches the light in every angle, this is your go-to.

Best for
Those who want a classic, timeless cut with unmatched brilliance and a traditional, elegant feel.

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Princess

Why it’s loved
With its sharp, angular corners and brilliant faceting, the princess cut is a modern favorite for those who love a square shape with maximum brilliance.

Spotlight feature
The princess cut’s unique square shape makes it perfect for creating a bold and contemporary look, while still offering that same intense sparkle we love in round diamonds.

Best for
People who love clean lines, symmetry, and a bold look that doesn’t compromise on sparkle.

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Cushion

Why it’s loved
The cushion cut combines a square shape with soft, rounded corners for a vintage-inspired look. It has a romantic, timeless appeal and offers a distinctive glow due to its larger facets.

Spotlight feature
Cushion cuts are famous for their "crushed ice" effect - a sparkling pattern that creates a soft, unique glow, rather than the sharp flashes typical of more modern cuts.

Best for
Anyone who loves vintage-inspired designs, with a soft, romantic look that’s effortlessly elegant.

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Oval

Why it’s loved
Ovals are known for their elegance and brilliance. The shape is timeless, offering a little more personality than the classic round while maintaining a similar sparkle. Ovals have dramatically increased in popularity over the past five years, making them a top choice for modern engagement rings.

Spotlight feature
One of the key advantages of the oval shape is that its elongated silhouette often makes the stone appear larger than its carat weight, giving you more presence without the higher price tag.

Best for
People who want something classic but with a unique silhouette that feels fresh and refined.

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Pear

Why it’s loved
Pears combine the brilliance of a round with the elegance of an elongated shape. It’s romantic and distinctive, offering a balanced mix of softness and sharpness.

Spotlight feature
The unique teardrop shape of the pear creates a flattering and elongating effect, making it stand out in a way that feels both classic and bold.

Best for  
Anyone looking for a distinctive, graceful shape that offers a bit more flair without losing the timeless appeal of traditional cuts.

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Marquise

Why it’s loved
The marquise cut is all about drama and impact. Its elongated shape with pointed ends creates the illusion of a larger diamond, making it a favorite for bold, statement rings.

Spotlight feature
The marquise is known for maximizing carat size, often making it appear bigger than other shapes of the same weight. Its dramatic, eye-catching shape is perfect for anyone who loves to make a statement.

Best for
Those who want a bold, striking design that maximises the size and presence of their diamond.

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Elongated Cushion

Why it’s loved
A modern twist on the traditional cushion cut, the elongated cushion is perfect for those who love vintage-inspired styles but want something more sleek and contemporary. It blends elements of both the oval and radiant cuts, offering a mix of softness, length, and brilliance.

Spotlight feature
This shape’s longer profile gives it a more slender, sophisticated look, creating a unique balance between vintage charm and modern elegance.

Best for
Those who appreciate the soft charm of a cushion cut but want something that feels more contemporary and fashion-forward.

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Emerald

Why it’s loved
The emerald cut is known for its understated elegance and striking clarity. Its step-cut facets create a mirror-like effect, offering a sophisticated, vintage-inspired vibe. This distinctive step-cut design emphasizes clarity, allowing the purity of the diamond to shine through.

Spotlight feature
The emerald cut’s step-cut facets create dramatic, elongated flashes of light that draw the eye to the diamond’s clarity and structure, making it a great choice for those who prefer a more serene, vintage-inspired look.

Best for
Minimalists or anyone drawn to understated elegance and timeless sophistication.

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Radiant

Why it’s loved
The radiant cut is a hybrid, combining the clean lines of an emerald with the brilliance of a round diamond. It offers the best of both worlds: sparkle and structure.

Spotlight feature
With its cropped corners and unique facet arrangement, the radiant cut delivers an incredible amount of sparkle while maintaining a clean, rectangular shape - perfect for those who want a dazzling yet refined look.

Best for
People who want a shape with great brilliance and clarity, but prefer a shape with a bit more personality than a traditional emerald or round cut.

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Every gemstone shape brings something different to the table, whether you’re after maximum brilliance, a unique silhouette, or a vintage-inspired look. Still undecided? Book a consultation with our team to explore your options and find the perfect shape that matches your style and love story.

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