5 Most Popular Diamond Shapes

If you're in the market for an engagement ring, you may be wondering what the most popular diamond shapes are. Well, we've got good news for you! There are a variety of shapes to choose from when it comes to diamonds. Round diamonds are always a classic choice, but there are also many other shapes that can add personality and uniqueness to your ring. We know that finding the perfect ring is important, and we want to make sure you have all the information you need to make the best decision for your fiancée-to-be. That's why we've put together this guide on the most popular diamond shapes for engagement rings.

Read our guide on diamond shapes now!

Content:

- What Are Diamond Shapes?
- Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds
- Pear Shaped Diamonds
- Radiant Cut Diamonds
- Marquise Cut Diamonds
- Cushion Cut Diamonds
- EXTRA: Popular Engagement Ring Designs

What Are Diamond Shapes?

One of the most important things to know when shopping for an engagement ring is what type of diamond shape you want. Diamonds come in all shapes and sizes, but they're usually categorized by their “shape” or “cut." Diamond cuts refer to the way a gemstone has been cut into specific angles and facets. On the other hand, diamond shapes describe the outline or silhouette of a diamond.

There are many different diamond shapes to choose from. Some of the most popular diamond shapes include round brilliant, pear-shaped, radiant cut, marquise-cut and cushion cut diamonds. Round brilliant diamonds are the most popular type of diamond shape, although they're not always the best option for everyone. Diamond shapes are a matter of personal taste and style preference.

Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds

The round brilliant cut is the most popular diamond shape for engagement rings. It's a classic choice that never goes out of style. Round diamonds are also the most brilliant and sparkly type of diamond. They're well-suited for those who want a dazzling, show-stopping ring. Round brilliant cut diamonds make up a majority of engagement ring sales even to this day, this is mostly considered to be due to the fact that they are seen as the ‘original’ diamond shape and are very good at concealing marks and inclusions allowing for cheaper diamonds being accessible to everyone.

Round brilliant cut diamonds are used in a wide array of engagement ring styles. Starting with the traditional 4 claw settings like our ‘Marais’ collection, designs have changed to reflect current trends and are very popular these days in halo settings. Playing their part as a transition from traditional to modern round brilliant cut diamonds have withstood the test of time.

Pear-Shaped Diamonds

The pear-shaped diamond is one of the more popular diamond shapes for engagement rings. It's a unique and elegant choice that's sure to catch everyone's eye. Seen as a very fashionable shape many celebrities have decided to go with a pear-shaped diamond engagement ring from Victoria Beckham to Bella Thorne and more recently Emma Ratajkowski.

Pear-Shaped diamonds have been around for a very long time, whilst it is sometimes referred to as a ‘modern’ cut it was first cut by diamond cutter Lodewyk van Bercken back in 1475 after inventing the diamond-polishing wheel allowing for more symmetry in diamond cuts.

Pear-shaped diamonds are typically less expensive than round brilliant diamonds, but they offer a similar level of sparkle and beauty. Given the shape of a pear shape diamond, there is no ‘ideal’ shape, cutters and jewellers have been trying to find the best ratios for years but have now accepted that each pear-shaped diamond holds its own subjective beauty.

Radiant Cut Diamonds

The radiant cut diamond is a newer style of diamond shape that's becoming increasingly popular. It's a cross between a round and square diamond, with angled corners and facets that reflect light in a dazzling way. They are often described to be similar to emerald cut diamonds but with a lot more sparkle with a modern appeal.

A relatively new diamond shape compared to others, radiant cut diamonds were first cut in the 1970s and quickly shot up the ranks of popularity to where they are today, one of the most popular shapes. Seen in a wide range of styles across Instagram from 3 stone rings to fully micro-set, this design has also been put into the spotlight by famous wearers such as Drew Barrymore and Megan Fox.

Radiant cut diamonds are well-suited for those who want something different from the traditional round diamond. These diamonds are typically less expensive than round-cut diamonds whilst providing almost the same amount of sparkle and brilliance. Radiant cut diamonds can come in both square and rectangle forms as well as soft edges or straight. Check out our ‘Tribeca’ radiant cut ring.

Marquise Cut Diamonds

The marquise cut diamond is another unique option for an engagement ring. It's a long and narrow diamond shape with pointed ends. Marquise cut diamonds are often chosen for their dramatic appearance and luxurious look.



Supposedly a shape originally commissioned by King Louis XV of France to resemble the shape of his mistress, Jeanne Antoinette Poisson’s lips which King Louis believed was the ‘most perfect lips he had ever seen. Given the elongated shape of this diamond cut, it has always been subject to being heavily critiqued and has not been known to be the most popular design. However, in recent years it has vastly grown in popularity and in a world where ‘unique’ is now seen as a popular fashion, this diamond shape has had a huge resurgence. It has even been worn by a few famous faces such as Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Finding the perfect balance between width and length has been a challenge for cutters since the inception of this cut. Typically a shallow diamond, some can look very ‘boaty’, so it definitely is worth taking your time when choosing a marquise cut diamond. As with most fancy-shaped diamonds, the marquise cut diamond is typically cheaper than a round brilliant diamond but can’t be compared.

Cushion-Cut Diamonds

The cushion cut diamond is a vintage-inspired choice that's making a comeback. It's a square or rectangle-shaped diamond with rounded corners and curved edges. Cushion cut diamonds are known for their soft, romantic look.

Cushion cut diamonds are used for both vintage styles as well as very modern designs, for example, legacy style rings similar to our ‘Melrose’ collection is a very popular design in 2022. Alternatively, add a pair of tapered baguette shoulders and you have yourself a vintage ring such as De Beers classic cushion-cut ring.

Cushion cut diamonds have been interpreted very differently through time, based on one of the diamond’s oldest shapes the old mine cut, modern cushion cuts have been perfected to create a very eye-catching sparkle and bring a modern element to what is otherwise a very old cut. This is perfect for people who love the idea of a ‘new vintage’. As fancy shaped diamonds go, cushion cut diamonds are one of the best value for money diamonds. Working out to be significantly cheaper than an equivalent round brilliant cut diamond.

EXTRA: Popular Engagement Ring Designs

Now that you know about the different types of diamond shapes, it's time to start shopping for an engagement ring! Here are some of the most popular engagement ring designs to help you get started:

- Solitaire Engagement Rings: A solitaire engagement ring is a classic design that features a single diamond centre stone.

- Halo Engagement Rings: A halo engagement ring has a centre diamond surrounded by a ring of smaller diamonds. This design makes the centre diamond appear larger and more sparkly.

- Three Stone Engagement Rings: A three stone engagement ring features three diamonds, usually one in the centre and two on the sides. This design is often chosen for its symbolic meaning.

Our Final Thoughts

Choosing the perfect diamond is always going to be a matter of opinion. If I could give one piece of advice it would be to go with the diamond that speaks to you (not to sound cheesy). Choose which part means the most to you and head in that direction. If you like Classic and sparkly then choose the Round brilliant diamond. If you like unique then go for the marquise Diamond. If super modern is your thing then maybe Radiant cut diamonds are for you. Price is another factor to consider, with cushion cut diamonds being amongst the cheapest of the fancy cuts they might be the route to take (and spending the savings on the wedding). Lastly, for the elegant bunch, the Pear shaped is definitely the diamond for you!

Now that you know more about diamond shapes, you can start shopping for an engagement ring with confidence! Keep these tips in mind and you're sure to find the perfect ring for the love of your life.

For idea about the perfect mounts for these diamonds take a look at our Diamond Engagement ring Here.