Shimmering and sparkling with light, diamonds add another layer of individuality to your personal style. Whether you’re doing a little pre-shopping for a diamond engagement ring, looking for a diamond cocktail ring as a statement jewel, or another piece of everyday diamond jewelry, the diamond shape that you choose reflects your personal style. Whether round, square, pear shaped or anything in between, there is a fancy shape (any diamond shape that is not round) that is sure to suit you. To help you decide on the perfect diamond shape for you, we’ve put together a guide to the most popular fancy shapes and the clothing styles that work best with them.
Classic Style: Round, Emerald, Pear
For those who love elevated basics, sharp tailoring and pieces that stay stylish in your wardrobe rotation for years, classic style may resonate with you. From casual preppie to the understated elegance of quiet luxury, classic fashion is here to stay. If your style is classic, you may find yourself attracted to a round, pear or emerald shaped diamond. The most classic and popular shape is the round diamond. Its circular shape has perfect symmetry and maximum sparkle, while the versatile shape works with almost any setting style, whether it’s a ring, earrings or necklace.
The emerald, a rectangular shaped diamond, is sophisticated and elongated, with a step cut that has facets running the length of the diamond giving it an elegant appearance. While emerald shaped diamonds are generally set length wise for your finger, they may also be set horizontally, giving this classic shape a modern edge. You may sometimes also find emerald cut diamonds in a square shape as well.
The pear shape, with its curved bottom and pointed top, was first introduced in the 1400’s and was originally called a teardrop. Pear shaped diamonds are particularly lovely as a pendant or earrings. When worn as a ring, the pear shape is known to make fingers appear longer and slimmer. An added bonus: Due to its elongated form, a pear shaped diamond may appear larger than another diamond of the same carat weight. Wondering how to wear a pear shaped diamond ring, tip up or down? That is completely a matter of personal preference, either way is correct, wear it the way that makes you feel the most confident.
Bohemian Style: Rose Cut, Old Mine
Bohemian style is all about individualism and free artistic expression, often with a vintage vibe. Muted colors, velvet, lace, crochet, suede and mismatched patterns add up to create a bohemian look. If you love boho style, then vintage style diamonds — rose cut or old mine, may be the right choice. The rose cut diamond is dome shaped with a flat bottom. First developed in the 1500s, it is one of the earliest diamond shapes. Due to its shape, a rose cut diamond sparkles more gently and has a soft shimmer that some find very appealing. Rose Cut diamonds are still being made today, but they tend to be much more symmetrical with a higher dome than a vintage gem.
An old mine diamond is characterized by a very large, open culet (the point) at the bottom of the stone. An Old Mine diamond shape follows the octahedral form of the rough stone. Because each rough diamond is slightly different in form, Old Mine Cut diamonds can be found in round, square, cushion or rectangular shapes. Most of these diamonds will be a little uneven in their shape since they were hand-cut many years ago before modern cutting technology came into being, but it’s all part of the charm of these vintage gems, fitting right in with the boho’s draw to anything handmade. Old Mine diamonds often have a hint of color to them, that glows like candlelight from within.
Trending Style: Marquise, Princess, Radiant
If you’re one of those people who loves to wear clothes that are fresh off the runway, while blending the latest trends into a personal fashion confection that is singularly yours, then you’re probably fascinated by trending street style. For you, the drama of a marquis or the edginess of square shapes may be just right for your style. Thoroughly modern and maybe a little avant-garde, you may find yourself intrigued by the square shaped princess or radiant cut diamond. Both of these are more modern diamond cuts, with the radiant, a square shape with cut corners debuting in 1977 and the princess cut a bold square with pointed corners debuting in 1979.
The marquise shape diamond was created in France during the reign of King Louis XV in the 1700s, who asked for a diamond to be fashioned in the shape of his mistress’ lips. It was named for her noble rank, marquise and was considered a very prestigious shape to wear at the time it was introduced. This is a dramatic shape characterized by a curved center with points on each end, making it appear larger than its carat weight. It was a popular shape during the 1920s, 1930s and 1950s. The marquise is a unique shape that feels both vintage and modern at the same time.
Of course, the perfect diamond for you is the one that gives you a little wink when you look at it, the one that sings to you, brings joy to your heart and sparkle to your life, no matter what the shape.
Top of Page: Marquise, pear and round diamonds, photo by Prahant Designing Studio, courtesy Unsplash.
Cluster earrings showcase pear-shaped diamonds, 12-carats total weight, set in platinum;
Georgian era earrings feature rose cut diamonds set in sterling silver and 15-karat gold;
Art Deco diamond, sapphire and platinum bracelet features a 2.25-carat marquise diamond center stone.
Authored by Amber Michelle