Diamond Cut Guide: Which Cut Is Best and Why It Matters Most | House of Bling Skip to content
House of Bling /55 yrs of experience
2
👤 👜
Diamond Cut Guide: Which Cut Is Best and Why It Matters Most

Diamond Cut Guide: Which Cut Is Best and Why It Matters Most

Of all the 4Cs cut, color, clarity, and carat cut has the most impact on how a diamond looks. A poorly cut diamond with excellent color and clarity will appear dull and lifeless. A well-cut diamond with modest color and clarity will outshine it every time. Cut is the one factor that is entirely within human control, and it is the one factor most buyers undervalue when shopping. 

This guide covers every major diamond shape, explains what makes a cut excellent versus poor, and helps you decide which shape is right for the piece you're buying. 

Cut Quality vs Diamond Shape — Two Different Things 

Before diving into shapes, it is important to understand the difference between cut quality and diamond shape two terms that are often confused. 

  • Cut quality: Refers to how precisely the diamond has been cut the proportions, symmetry, and polish of the facets. GIA grades cut quality on a scale of Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, and Poor. This directly determines how much light the diamond returns to the eye. 

  • Diamond shape: Refers to the outline of the diamond when viewed from above round, oval, cushion, emerald, etc. Shape is a matter of personal preference. Cut quality is a matter of craftsmanship. 

Always prioritize cut quality first. A round brilliant with an Excellent cut grade will always outperform a round brilliant with a Good cut grade, regardless of the color and clarity scores. 

The Most Popular Diamond Shapes 

Round Brilliant 

The most popular diamond shape in the world and for good reason. The round brilliant has 58 facets precisely arranged to maximize light return. No other shape achieves the same level of brilliance and fire. If maximum sparkle is the goal, round brilliant is the answer. It is also the easiest shape to source with consistent cut quality, since GIA grades cut for round brilliants more rigorously than any other shape.  

Oval 

The oval is the fastest-growing diamond shape in fine jewelry and one of the most flattering. Its elongated shape makes the finger appear longer and the stone appear larger than a round of the same carat weight, because the surface area of an oval is greater. Oval diamonds do not have an official GIA cut grade (only rounds do), so buyers should look for well-proportioned length-to-width ratios between 1.30 and 1.50. 

Cushion 

The cushion cut has a square or rectangular outline with rounded corners like a pillow, hence the name. It has larger facets than a round brilliant, which creates a different kind of sparkle: deeper, chunkier flashes rather than the tight, bright scintillation of a round. Cushion cuts have a romantic, vintage quality that works exceptionally well in halo and three-stone settings. 

Princess 

The princess cut is a square shape with sharp, pointed corners and brilliant-style faceting that produces excellent light performance second only to the round brilliant. It is a modern, architectural shape that works well in both solitaire and pavé settings. Note: the pointed corners of a princess cut are vulnerable to chipping a bezel or V-prong setting is recommended to protect them. 

Emerald 

The emerald cut is a rectangular step-cut diamond with large, flat facets that create a 'hall of mirrors' effect — long, dramatic flashes of light rather than the sparkle of brilliant cuts. The emerald cut is the most transparent of all shapes inclusions and color are more visible, so higher clarity and color grades matter more here. A VS1 clarity and G color minimum is a good starting point for emerald cuts. 

Pear 

The pear shape, also called a teardrop, combines the round brilliant's light performance with an elongated, pointed tip. It is among the most distinctive shapes for engagement rings and pendants. Like the oval, the elongation creates a slimming effect on the finger. The point of a pear cut should always be protected by a V-prong to prevent chipping. 

Marquise 

The marquise is an elongated shape with pointed ends at both ends. It has the largest surface area per carat weight of any shape meaning a marquise looks significantly larger than a round diamond of the same weight. The elongation creates a dramatic, distinctive look. Points at both ends require V-prong protection. 

Diamond Shape Comparison 

Shape 

Brilliance 

Best setting 

Points to note 

Round Brilliant 

Highest 

Any 

Most expensive per carat. GIA cut grade available. 

Oval 

Very high 

Solitaire, halo 

Appears larger than round of same carat. Check L/W ratio 1.30–1.50. 

Cushion 

High 

Halo, three-stone 

Romantic, vintage look. Larger facets = different sparkle character. 

Princess 

High 

Solitaire, pavé 

Modern, square. Protect pointed corners with V-prongs or bezel. 

Emerald 

Moderate 

Solitaire, bezel 

Step-cut, architectural. Higher clarity grade recommended (VS1+). 

Pear 

High 

Solitaire, pendant 

Slimming on finger. Protect pointed tip with V-prong. 

Marquise 

High 

Solitaire 

Largest visual size per carat. Protect both pointed ends. 

 

What Cut Grade Should You Buy? 

For round brilliant diamonds: Excellent cut, Excellent polish, Excellent symmetry the 'Triple Excellent' standard is the target for maximum brilliance. Very Good cut is a close second and can offer excellent value. Never go below Good cut if brilliance matters to you. 

For fancy shapes (oval, cushion, pear, etc.): GIA does not issue a cut grade, so evaluate the stone visually and check the proportions. Length-to-width ratio, depth percentage, and table percentage all affect how the stone performs. House of Bling's specialists can help you evaluate any fancy shape in person. 

 

PEOPLE ALSO ASK (PTA) — FAQ 

Q: Which diamond cut is the most brilliant? 

A: The round brilliant cut produces the most brilliance of any diamond shape. Its 58 facets are mathematically optimized to maximize light return. No other shape achieves the same level of sparkle. 

Q: What is the difference between diamond cut and diamond shape? 

A: Cut quality refers to how precisely the diamond is cut  affecting brilliance and light performance. Diamond shape refers to the outline (round, oval, cushion, etc.) a matter of personal preference. Cut quality affects appearance more than shape. 

Q: Which diamond shape looks the biggest? 

A: The marquise cut has the largest surface area per carat weight, making it appear biggest. The oval also appears larger than a round of the same carat weight due to its elongated shape. 

Q: Is emerald cut diamond cheaper than round? 

A: Yes, typically. Emerald cuts are less expensive per carat than round brilliant diamonds because they lose more rough diamond material in cutting and have lower demand than rounds. They offer excellent value for buyers who prefer their architectural look. 

Q: What diamond cut is best for an engagement ring? 

A: The round brilliant is the most popular and versatile choice for engagement rings. Oval is the fastest-growing alternative. The 'best' cut is ultimately the shape that resonates most with the person wearing it. 

Q: Where can I see different diamond cuts in Louisville? 

A: House of Bling at Jefferson Mall, Louisville carries GIA and IGI certified diamonds in all major shapes. View them in person and compare side by side. Free consultation — call (502) 713-2500. 

 

VISIT HOUSE OF BLING 

Jefferson Mall, Louisville, KY  ·  (502) 713-2500  ·  houseofbling.store 

Free consultation · Certified 10K & 14K gold · Natural and lab diamonds · Lifetime warranty 
245 people are viewing this store