Understanding Diamond Cuts: What Are the Different Cuts of Diamonds?

Understanding Diamond Cuts: What Are the Different Cuts of Diamonds?

How to get the perfect diamond cut for your engagement rings. 

With styles and trends rapidly changing, customers are demanding more and more intricate diamond engagement rings. The cuts, styles, and shapes of diamonds have evolved over decades and eras, and if you are planning to surprise your lover with a very rare diamond cut, here are a few options you can go for! 

Role of Diamond Cuts in a Setting

role of diamond cuts in a setting

Learn all about diamond cuts, trends, brilliance, shine, and more in this blog. If you are new to diamond trends, stick to the end to find the best spot for customizable diamond rings. 

 

The History of Diamond Cuts

Detailed diamond cuts were first discovered in the 14th century. Now, before cutting techniques improved, diamonds were used in their natural form, giving only slight polishing to enhance their shine.

  • 1400s: The Point Cut (a basic polish of a diamond’s natural shape) was introduced.

  • 1477: Archduke Maximilian of Austria gave Mary of Burgundy the first-ever recorded diamond engagement ring featuring a primitive cut.

  • 1700s: The Old Mine Cut emerged, resembling today’s cushion cut.

  • 1919: The Round Brilliant Cut was perfected by Marcel Tolkowsky, revolutionizing diamond brilliance.

For ages, diamond cuts have evolved drastically with 3D techniques ensuring precision for maximum sparkle.

 

Types of Diamond Cuts to explore in 2025

There are over a trillion diamond cuts that you can explore, each offering a unique brilliance and personality. Here are some of the most excellent cuts:

1. Round Brilliant Cut – The Timeless Favorite

  • Over 75% of diamonds sold today are round brilliant cuts.

  • Why It’s Popular: This cut has 58 facets, carefully engineered to maximize sparkle.

  • Best For: Classic, elegant looks.

2. Princess Cut – The Modern Classic

  • The princess cut was only created in 1981, making it one of the newer cuts.

  • Why It’s Popular: Square shape, sharp edges, and excellent fire (color dispersion).

  • Best For: Contemporary styles with maximum brilliance.

Princess Diamond Cut

Princess Cut Solitaire Engagement Rings

Princess Cut Solitaire Ring

3. Emerald Cut – Vintage Sophistication

  • This cut was loved by the royals, including Princess Diana herself.

  • Why It’s Popular: Step-cut facets are really popular for their "hall of mirrors" effect.

  • Best For: Those who love understated luxury.

4. Oval Cut – The Optical Illusion

  • Fast Fact: This cut appears 10% larger than a regular round cut diamond. 

  • Why It’s Popular: It mimics the elongated, slender-looking fingers.

  • Best For: someone who adores elegance.

5. Marquise Cut – The Regal Choice

  • Fast Fact: This diamond is named after Madame de Pompadour, a mistress of King Louis XV, because its shape resembles her lips.

  • Why It’s Popular: It has one of the largest surface areas for its weight, making it look bigger than it is.

  • Best For: Bold, dramatic styles.

6. Cushion Cut – The Romantic Glow

  • Fast Fact: Once called the "Old Mine Cut," it was the dominant shape in the 1800s.

  • Why It’s Popular: Large facets create a soft, glowing sparkle rather than sharp brilliance.

  • Best For: Vintage-inspired settings.

Cushion Diamond Cut

3.5 carat cushion cut engagement ring

3.5 CT Cushion Cut Diamond Ring 

7. Pear Cut – The Unique Hybrid

  • Fast Fact: Known as the “teardrop diamond,” it combines features of the round and marquise cuts.

  • Why It’s Popular: It elongates fingers and has a distinctive, eye-catching shape.

  • Best For: A unique yet elegant look.

8. Radiant Cut – The Best of Both Worlds

  • Fast Fact: Introduced in the 1970s, it combines the brilliance of a round cut with the elegance of an emerald cut.

  • Why It’s Popular: It offers intense sparkle while having a modern rectangular shape.

  • Best For: A bold, high-sparkle look.

 

What Diamond Cuts Are the Most Expensive?

The price of a diamond depends on multiple factors, but certain cuts tend to cost more due to waste during cutting, labor, and demand.

Round Brilliant Diamond Cut

Misty Grey Diamond Ring

1.88 Round Brilliant Cut 

1. Round Brilliant Cut – The Priciest

  • Why? Cutting a round diamond results in significant loss of rough stone—up to 50% waste, making it expensive.

2. Heart Cut – The Challenging One

  • Why? Achieving perfect symmetry requires highly skilled craftsmanship, increasing labor costs.

3. Marquise Cut – The Precision Cut

  • Why? Its long shape is difficult to cut without internal flaws, raising costs.

4. Asscher and Emerald Cuts – The Purest Diamonds

  • Why? These cuts require high-clarity stones since step-cut facets make inclusions more visible.

 

Emerald Diamond Cut

Emerald Diamond Engagement Ring

Emerald Diamond Engagement Ring

 

Most sparkling diamond cuts. 

The cuts of your diamond decide how much your diamond will sparkle. If you want a ring that dazzles, these cuts will deliver:

1. Round Brilliant Cut – The Undisputed King of Sparkle

  • 58 facets allow for maximum light reflection.

2. Princess Cut – A Close Second

  • Its modified brilliant-cut facets produce exceptional fire.

3. Radiant Cut – The Ultimate Brilliance

  • Designed specifically for maximum sparkle.

Radiant Diamond Cut

1 carat radiant cut diamond engagement ring

1 Carat Radiant Diamond Ring

4. Cushion Cut – Vintage Fire

  • Larger facets create a soft, romantic glow rather than sharp sparkle.

 

Which Diamond Cuts Look the Biggest?

Certain cuts distribute carat weight better, making them appear larger than others.

1. Marquise Cut – The Optical Trick

  • Offers one of the largest face-up appearances per carat.

2. Oval Cut – The Elongated Effect

  • Looks 10-15% larger than a round diamond of the same weight.

3. Pear Cut – The Dual Effect

  • Its teardrop shape maximizes surface area.

Pear Diamond Cut

pear cut black diamond ring

14K Gold Pear Cut Black Diamond Ring

4. Emerald Cut – A Long, Elegant Illusion

  • While it lacks brilliance, it has an impressive spread across the finger.

Current Trends in Diamond Cuts

Diamond trends change over time. Here’s what’s hot in 2024:

  • Oval cuts are taking over – Many celebrities have chosen oval diamonds, rather than basic round cut diamonds. 

  • Vintage cuts are making a comeback – Cushion and Asscher cuts are gaining popularity due to their antique appeal.

  • Alternative cuts for uniqueness – More couples are opting for pear and marquise cuts instead of traditional rounds.

A Vintage Diamond Ring looks like

 

vintage engagement ring

14 K Vintage Diamond Ring

 

Final Thoughts

Diamond cuts define the beauty of your diamond ring, making sure they are perfect will make your ring sparkle brighter. Now if you are looking for brilliant diamond cuts for your engagement ring, that too with special requests such as elongated kite cut or princess cut diamonds, we are here. 

Our artisans are skilled to make any diamond cut sparkle bright. Just DM us with your requests and let us do the magic. We also offer customizable gold tones and metal purity. 

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