As you choose an engagement ring, you are making a decision representing one of the most significant purchases of your lifetime. A quality engagement ring portrays love and romance like no other present or item of jewelry. Attention to detail is absolutely a requirement throughout this process, and one of the biggest decisions affecting the impression your ring will give is the choice of your diamond shape, or “cut”, and its carat weight.
The below list describes several of the most popular diamond shapes, ranging from traditional in style to modern and contemporary:
- A favorite long-lasting diamond shape can be seen in cushion engagement rings. Over hundreds of years, the cushion shape is one of the most elegant shapes in which diamonds have been cut. A long time before recent technology was built to create perfectly round diamonds like those that are commonly seen today, the cushion cut was a style used to shape some of antiquity’s most stunning diamond stones.
This particular diamond cut is based on the 57-facet design of the round cut, but is shaped in a square or slightly oblong shape with heavily rounded corners. Visually stunning, cushion cut engagement rings have a reputation for being highly sparkly and packed with fire.
A note to consider regarding cushion diamonds is that they can be shown off very well in bigger sizes. Rather than projecting an overwhelming, gaudy appearance, multi-carat cushion diamonds carry their large proportions with great dignity, and are a excellent choice for Couples with high-budget tastes.
- Slightly more traditional in appearance, emerald cut engagement rings are the champions of timeless engagement diamond rings. The emerald shape has an extensive history, and yet is still one of the most delightful cuts to this day. The visual depth of the emerald cut continues to be a popular choice for engagement rings, and these diamonds are found with the most beautiful settings available in the market today.
The geometric attributes of the emerald cut lends itself to a myriad of incredible ring designs. From gorgeous solitaires to tension and pave set settings actually encrusted with stones, emerald cut engagement rings are true masterworks. Leveraging the aid of a diamond expert to locate a well cut emerald stone will work in your favor toward making your ring a piece of wearable art.
- Next, princess cut engagement rings bear a resemblance to the overall square shape expressed by cushion and emerald cuts, but without beveling on the corner edges, the four corners reveal a sharp and distinct definition to the edge of the diamond. The princess style is often a choice of diamond cutters, since its shape requires the least waste to be accumulated during the cutting process, keeping as much of the primary weight and size as possible. As a result of this, you can select a nicely-sized princess diamond for somewhat less expense than alternative shapes.
The princess cut is specifically chosen to accentuate the “fire” of a stone – in other words, when viewed from above, sunlight is expected to be refracted in such a way as to make the diamond appear white. When placed in a white gold ring setting, the juxtaposition creates an exceptionally brilliant display.
It is frequently suggested to select your diamond shape and your ring setting design together as a pair. This helps you to envision exactly what the finished piece of jewelry will look like, rather than making your selections separately. Of course, if you currently have an heirloom diamond, then your process of discovery will be fixated on locating a ring style that matches the cut of your existing stone as well as can be.
