Best Diamond Shapes for Engagement Rings: A Complete Ranking

The shape of your diamond is one of the most visible and personal choices you’ll make when selecting an engagement ring. Each shape has its own personality, sparkle characteristics, and price point. Here’s our complete ranking of the most popular diamond shapes, with pros and cons to help you choose.

1. Round Brilliant

The round brilliant is the most popular diamond shape, accounting for roughly 60% of all engagement ring diamonds sold. And for good reason.

Pros:

• Maximum brilliance and fire of any diamond shape
• Timeless and classic; never goes out of style
• Easiest shape to evaluate quality (GIA has a formal cut grading system only for rounds)
• Hides inclusions and body color well due to intense sparkle

Cons:

• Most expensive per carat due to high demand and rough diamond waste during cutting
• Appears smaller face-up compared to fancy shapes of the same carat weight

Best for: Those who prioritize maximum sparkle and a classic look. Explore our round diamonds.

2. Oval

Oval diamonds have surged in popularity, becoming the second most popular shape for engagement rings.

Pros:

• Appears 10-15% larger than a round of the same carat weight
• Creates an elongating, slenderizing effect on the finger
• 20-30% less expensive than round diamonds
• Beautiful brilliance with a modified brilliant-cut facet pattern

Cons:

• Can exhibit a “bowtie” shadow (varies by individual stone)
• No formal cut grading system; requires careful evaluation

Best for: Those who want maximum size appearance for their budget and an elegant, modern look. Browse our oval diamonds.

3. Cushion Cut

The cushion cut combines a square shape with rounded corners, resembling a pillow (hence the name).

Pros:

• Exceptional fire (rainbow flashes) due to its large facets
• Romantic, vintage-inspired appearance
• Good value; typically 25-35% less than round
• Versatile in both traditional and modern settings

Cons:

• Retains body color more than round or oval, so consider higher color grades (G or above)
• Multiple cutting styles (brilliant, modified brilliant, crushed ice) can be confusing

Best for: Those who love vintage charm and want excellent fire. See our cushion cut diamonds.

4. Emerald Cut

The emerald cut is a rectangular step-cut diamond known for its clean, architectural lines and hall-of-mirrors effect.

Pros:

• Sophisticated and distinctive appearance
• Large, open table creates dramatic flashes of light
• Appears larger than many shapes of the same carat weight
• Excellent value; typically 30-40% less than round

Cons:

• Inclusions and color are more visible due to the open table; choose VS2 clarity or better and G color or better
• Less overall sparkle compared to brilliant cuts

Best for: Those who appreciate clean lines and Art Deco elegance. Explore our emerald cut diamonds.

5. Pear Shape

The pear shape (or teardrop) combines the brilliance of a round with the elongation of a marquise.

Pros:

• Unique and distinctive appearance
• Elongates the finger beautifully
• Versatile; can be worn with the point facing up or down
• Good value compared to round

Cons:

• The pointed tip is vulnerable to chipping (must be protected by a prong)
• Can show a bowtie effect
• Symmetry is critical and harder to evaluate

Best for: Those who want something distinctive that still has lots of sparkle. Browse our pear shaped diamonds.

6. Princess Cut

The princess cut is a square brilliant-cut diamond that was the most popular fancy shape before oval took the lead.

Pros:

• Excellent brilliance; the most sparkly square shape
• Modern and contemporary look
• Great value; one of the most affordable diamond shapes
• Looks beautiful in channel-set and pave bands

Cons:

• Four sharp corners are prone to chipping
• Can appear smaller than round of the same weight (weight is held in depth)

Best for: Those who want a modern, geometric look with lots of sparkle. See our princess cut diamonds.

7. Marquise

The marquise is a football-shaped diamond with pointed ends that creates maximum perceived size.

Pros:

• Has the largest face-up area of any diamond shape per carat
• Dramatically elongates the finger
• Excellent value
• Vintage glamour with royal origins (named after the Marquise de Pompadour)

Cons:

• Two pointed ends need protection
• Can show a bowtie effect
• Symmetry must be very precise

Best for: Those who want the biggest possible look for their carat weight. Explore our marquise diamonds.

Other Shapes Worth Considering

Radiant Cut

A rectangular or square brilliant cut that combines the emerald cut’s silhouette with brilliant-cut sparkle. An excellent “best of both worlds” option. Browse radiant cut diamonds.

Asscher Cut

A square step-cut similar to the emerald cut but with a square shape and more facets. Offers that distinctive Art Deco look in a compact form. See our asscher cut diamonds.

Heart Shape

The ultimate romantic choice. Best in larger sizes (1+ carat) where the shape is clearly visible. Browse heart shaped diamonds.

How to Choose Your Shape

Consider these factors:

• Personal style: Classic personalities tend to prefer round and cushion. Modern tastes lean toward oval and emerald. Unique personalities gravitate to pear and marquise.
• Finger shape: Elongated shapes (oval, pear, marquise) flatter shorter fingers. Round and cushion look beautiful on longer fingers.
• Budget: Round is most expensive. Oval, cushion, and emerald offer the best value.
• Setting style: Some shapes pair better with certain settings. A solitaire works with any shape, while a halo is especially effective with cushion and oval.

Start exploring every shape with our Design Your Own Ring builder, where you can pair any diamond shape with any setting to create your dream engagement ring.