Popular Enganement Ring Diamond Cuts

Engagement ring diamonds come in a wide variety of cuts and shapes. There are two basic types of diamond cuts, which produce two basic kinds of diamond shapes. These are the step diamond cut, which utilizes gradual incisions that create a “step” pattern on the surface of the stone, generally producing a rectangular (or emerald) diamond; and the brilliant cut, which utilizes angled cuts designed to create maximum internal light refraction, producing a round-shaped diamond. When these two basic cuts are combined, they produce a variety of mixed cuts that result in various shapes with varying degrees of sharpness and brilliance. The type of diamond cut you choose for your engagement ring depends entirely on personal taste. For your consideration however, here are 5 of the most popular engagement ring diamond cuts today.

1. The Round Diamond

The round or brilliant cut diamond has been the diamond of choice for couples for many years, and it accounts for about 75% of total worldwide diamond sales today. The reason for this is that the round cut is specially designed to produce maximum light refraction, the quality that gives a diamond its sparkle. The most popular of the round, brilliant cut diamonds is the Ideal Cut diamond, which has 58-facets divided between its top, girdle and base. The higher-quality, and far more expensive, Leo Diamond has a patented 66 facets.

2. The Radiant Cut Diamond

The step cut or emerald diamond has an elegant, classic rectangular shape that appeals to many couples. However, the step cut incisions lack the sparkle of the brilliant cut diamond. For those who want the elegance of the rectangular emerald shape along with the brilliance of the round cut diamond, the radiant diamond provides an excellent choice. It combines step and brilliant cuts to produce a brilliant, 70-facet, rectangular-shaped diamond with rounded edges.

3. The Marquise Diamond

Commissioned by King Louis XIV of France, and purportedly inspired by the smile of the Marquise de Pompadour, the marquise diamond has an elongated shape that comes to a sharp point on both ends. Rather than a combination of step and brilliant cuts, this diamond is essentially an adaptation of the round, brilliant cut diamond. It, like the round diamond, has 58 facets. The crown of the marquise diamond is sometimes cut in a way that eliminates the top point of the stone, or the bezel facet. The marquise diamond is popular in ring designs that make use of smaller decorative diamonds.

4. The Oval Diamond

Like the marquis diamond, the oval diamond is a modified brilliant cut diamond. It was invented in the 1960s by jeweler Lazare Kaplan. Like the standard brilliant cut round diamond, the oval cut diamond has 58 facets. Its shape provides an even, elongated symmetrical design that has the effect of making shorter fingers look longer and more graceful. Because of its growing popularity amongst consumers, the oval diamond has grown to be quite expensive. Nevertheless it continues to be one of the diamond cuts of choice for engagement rings and anniversary jewelry.

5. The Princess Cut Diamond

The princess cut diamond is one of the most popular fancy shaped diamonds today. It is relatively new and is in the shape of a square oblong, rather than a rectangle or emerald. However it is not a modification of the step cut diamond, but of the brilliant cut. Thus, it matches other round-cut diamonds in brilliance while providing a sharp and unique shape. Princess diamonds provide the most brilliance you can get out of a square shaped stone.

Popular Enganement Ring Diamond Cuts