Diamond Shape Education
The shape of the diamond is distinct from the cut. Whereas the cut determines how well-crafted your stone is, the shape refers to the overall finished piece and the shape it takes.
The choice of shape is very much a personal one, so make sure you shop around to get an idea about what is available for your budget.
The most common shape is Round Brilliant, which has 58 facets. They have higher brilliance and scintillation and are seen as a timeless fashion. However, one thing to consider is that rounder diamonds result in more wastage during the cutting phase, so be prepared to pay extra for what is a slightly smaller end product.
There are a number of other more elaborate shapes that it is important to be familiar with. They are:
Princess: Square cut and with similar refractive interactions to the round brilliant. This is fast becoming a popular style due to its high brilliance and unique aesthetic.
Marquise: A long and slender shape that dates back to the days of Louis XIV. It is perfect for increasing the carat size in a given setting.
Emerald: : A rectangular shape that evokes feelings of elegance and royalty.
Pear: A teardrop shape that is commonly used in pendants and rings.
Heart: The quintessential display of love and romance.
Oval: An elliptical stone with very high brilliance.
Radiant: The perfect blend of round brilliance and square elegance.
Asscher: A square with deep cut edges that are highly sought after due to its added layer of depth and sophistication.
When it comes to making the final decision on which shape you want to carry with you for a lifetime, don’t be afraid to put the popular trends to one side and choose something that you have fallen in love with. The shape is a personal choice and one that, at Abelini, we can help you make in a way that indeed does work for you.
Which diamond shape sparkles the most?
The shape of a diamond refers to the silhouette of a stone when viewed face-up. Diamonds mainly gain sparkle through their shape, so what shape offers the most sparkle?
1. Round

Round-shaped diamonds offer the most sparkle. They are the most popular of all diamond shapes, with 50%-75% of all diamonds sold worldwide being round shape. Due to their comprehensive symmetry, they’re able to boost the reflection of light from the top facet and provide an outstanding sparkle. Due to their great flash and classic design, they have always been a favourite among most couples, and as a result of their high demand, they’re among the most expensive compared to other shapes.
2. Cushion

Cushion-shaped diamonds offer a unique sparkle akin to around, and they’re also among the most popular diamonds in the world. The cushion-shaped diamond is individual because it is a square diamond like the princess cut, but with rounded edges. In short, it is a combination of both round and princess cut.
3. Princess

Princess-shaped diamonds offer an extremely high level of sparkle. They are the second most popular diamond shapes, with about 10%-30% of all diamonds sold being princess-shaped diamonds. From the top view, princess-shaped diamonds are square-shaped. Due to its 76 facets that act as a mirror to enhance light reflection, princess-shaped diamonds can provide superb light reflection and stunning sparkle.
4. Radiant

Radiant-shaped diamonds are a combination of emerald and round. This diamond shape offers a unique brilliance and outstanding radiation, which is where its name comes from. Its 70 facets can provide a massive fire and an astonishing sparkle. The con of this diamond shape is that the GIA does not grade its cut quality as such; you’d have to consult a diamond specialist before purchasing a radiant-shaped diamond for your engagement ring.