As the holidays approach, many couples are preparing to get engaged. That usually means getting a ring! Before you buy a ring, you should do your research on the different engagement ring shapes and styles so you can make an educated decision on what is sure to be an expensive acquisition. First up, know that there are 4 C’s: cut, clarity, carat, and color. There is a lot to learn about all of this, and basically, they all come into play when determining the cost of a ring. But for most people, when they are deciding on a ring, the thing they care about most is the shape of the diamond. So here, we break down the top 10 engagement ring shapes.
ENGAGEMENT RING SHAPES: NOT ALL ARE ALIKE
Can’t tell the difference between an oval or cushion diamond? That’s ok! Plenty of people are in the same boat. But with this type of investment, it’s important to know about your options, so you make an educated decision. While cut is actually different from shape, many people use the terms interchangeably. Here, we talk about the most popular shapes and sometimes refer to the cut and clarity when necessary because these attributes might come into play when deciding on shape.
1. Round
Quite possibly the most popular setting, the round cut can be a cost-effective choice, compared to other shapes. It is often very sparkly, universally flattering, and considered to be a classic cut. While round diamonds work for all, for those that want to be different, we say consider another shape.
2. Asscher
Similar to the Emerald cut but looking square because of equidistant sides, the Asscher is for the bride that is usually fashion-forward and appreciates a quality stone. Why? Because it tends to show cuts, so a high-quality stone (i.e., expensive) won’t show a lot of cuts, because it won’t have as many.
3. Cushion Cut
This cut is sort of a hybrid cut — part round, part square. It’s cut like a square diamond but has rounded edges and also has a lot of facets. It’s got a vintage feel to it, so for the bride that wants a nod to the past, cushion cut engagement ring shapes are an excellent choice. (Alternatively, modern brides might skip this shape for something more contemporary looking).
4. Oval
Like the round cut, the oval is very sparkly, but this shape elongates fingers making it desirable to those that are looking for the appearance of more lengthy digits. This shape is not as popular as a round shape, so if you’re looking for a more unusual choice that still has sparkle, consider this shape.
5. Emerald
This cut is often for a preppy bride, as its rectangular shape is somewhat traditional and never goes out of style. It is a touch more sophisticated than its rounder counterparts, but also usually more expensive because you can really see the clarity. (Which means if you skimp on that aspect, and it has flaws, you can more easily see those flaws with an emerald cut.) If the art deco-like shape of the emerald is more important to you than clarity, or if you can get one in your budget that you love, we say go for it.
6. Princess
A very popular choice for engagement ring shapes is princess. For those that love squares, the princess is your option. With many facets, it is super sparkly, so it will be for the bride that wants to see her ring shine from any angle. Another bonus: it’s most often less expensive than its round counterpart, so if cost is a consideration, princess cut might be the perfect bauble for you.
7. Marquise
The Marquise looks like an oval but with more pointed ends, making it also look like a football in shape. This shape can elongate the fingers, and depending on the setting, can have a vintage feel. It also can have the appearance of looking larger than it is, sometimes preferable to customers.
8. Pear
For the bride that wants a large stone, consider the Pear shape. It can appear large, but can also tend to chip, so the proper setting is important with this choice. With a vintage vibe, this is also for a bride that embraces an old-world feel, rather than a contemporary style.
9. Radiant
More sparkly than the Emerald, but with a similar shape, the Radiant diamond has trimmed corners, and can also look square in shape. While the corners make it different from the sharp corners of a Princess cut, they also tend to make the stone look smaller. A somewhat rare stone, this is for a bride looking for something more unusual than a Round or Princess cut.
10. Heart
Yes, a heart symbolizes love, but you might pay a high price for this shape. Getting it the perfect shape takes labor, which ups the cost, as does the fact that this shape is pretty rare when compared to others. For the classic bride that doesn’t follow trends, another shape might be a better option.
RING SETTINGS ARE IMPORTANT, TOO
Talk with an expert to get an idea of the different types of settings you have to work with. From high prong to lower channel settings, setting types can affect which shape you choose, because the setting affects the overall look of the ring. Consult your jeweler for more in-depth descriptions of settings and how they affect cost and other variables of choosing an engagement ring.
AND WE CAN’T FORGET CLARITY
As we’ve mentioned, clarity is a consideration and definitely affects the price of a ring. How clear do you want the ring? Or does it have so many facets (cuts) that you don’t really care about the clearness of the stone? These are all things to keep in mind when choosing a ring.
And once you’re engaged, check out ideas on how to pick out your wedding band!
