Shop Jewellery by Stone Shape: Find the Perfect Cut for Your Style
Choosing a piece of fine jewellery is more than just selecting a beautiful gem—it's about finding a shape and cut that truly reflects your personality and style. Among all the decisions you'll make when buying jewellery, gemstone cuts and stone shapes significantly impact a piece’s final look and feel.
The proper gemstone cut enhances sparkle, influences the ring’s silhouette, and reveals the stone's character. Whether shopping for an engagement ring, a meaningful gift, or a personal treasure, understanding the world of gemstone cuts will guide you to a piece that feels uniquely yours.
Let’s explore how stone shape, brilliance, and craftsmanship combine to help you find the perfect jewellery design at Diamovida — Calgary’s trusted destination for natural diamonds and fine jewellery.
What Is a Gemstone Cut?
A gemstone cut refers to how a gemstone is faceted to maximise its brilliance, symmetry, and beauty. It's not just about shape — it’s about how the surfaces (facets) are arranged to reflect light. The cut affects how much a stone sparkles and how lively it appears.
According to the GIA’s gem cut value guide, a well-cut diamond or gemstone will reflect light internally from one facet to another and disperse it through the top of the stone, creating extraordinary brilliance.
Key cut quality factors include:
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Proportions: How the gemstone's facets are balanced.
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Symmetry: Alignment and shape of facets.
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Polish: The smoothness of the stone's surface.
What Is a Stone Shape?
The stone shape is the overall outline of the gemstone. Shapes like round, oval, emerald, or princess define the first impression a piece of jewellery creates. Shape is more about the artistic or stylistic side of jewellery design.
In short:
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Cut = Technical brilliance (sparkle, light reflection).
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Shape = Outline or silhouette (style and vibe).
Popular Diamond Shapes You Should Know
Some popular diamond shapes have stood the test of time for their versatility, brilliance, and timeless appeal.
Here's a quick overview:
Round-Shaped Diamonds
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Round diamonds are the most popular and iconic diamond shape, accounting for over half of all diamond sales worldwide. Also known as the round brilliant cut, this shape features 57 or 58 precisely arranged facets designed to optimize light reflection, giving it unmatched fire, brilliance, and scintillation.
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Round diamonds exude classic elegance. Their symmetrical silhouette and dazzling brilliance make them a go-to choice for traditionalists, romantics, and those who value timeless design. A round diamond always looks refined and sophisticated whether set in a solitaire, halo, or vintage-style ring.
Princess Shaped Diamonds
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The princess cut is the most popular fancy-shaped diamond and the second most sought-after overall. Recognized for its square silhouette and sharp, pointed corners, the princess cut delivers exceptional brilliance thanks to its intricate facet pattern. It’s a favorite for modern brides seeking both sparkle and a sleek, contemporary look.
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Bold and edgy, the princess cut appeals to those who love clean lines and a youthful, modern vibe. Its angular shape pairs well with sleek designs, minimalist bands, and contemporary settings. It’s also versatile — it can be dressed up with side stones or kept simple in a solitaire.
Oval Shaped Diamonds
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Oval-shaped diamonds are a sophisticated twist on the classic round brilliant. With their elongated silhouette and curved edges, oval diamonds offer the brilliance of a round cut while appearing larger per carat due to their surface area. This shape flatters the hand and is a favorite among those who want a blend of classic and unique.
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Elegant and soft, oval diamonds convey understated sophistication. Their elongated shape visually lengthens the finger, making them especially flattering. The oval is ideal for wearers who love brilliance but want something just a little different from the norm.
Cushion Shaped Diamonds
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Cushion-shaped diamonds combine the brilliance of round diamonds with the classic appeal of a square or rectangular outline and softly rounded corners. Resembling a pillow — hence the name — cushion cuts are beloved for their timeless, romantic look. They’ve been popular for centuries and continue to charm modern buyers with their old-world elegance and versatility.
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Cushion cuts have a softer, vintage feel that suits antique-style settings beautifully. Depending on the facet arrangement, they can deliver either a classic, bold sparkle or a modern, shimmering glow. This versatility makes cushion diamonds ideal for a wide range of styles, from minimalist to ornate.
Emerald Shaped Diamonds
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Emerald-shaped diamonds are known for their clean lines and mirror-like facets. This step-cut rectangular shape features parallel facets that emphasize clarity and create a distinctive "hall of mirrors" effect — a play of light that’s more elegant than sparkly. With their understated glamour and vintage appeal, emerald cuts are ideal for those who appreciate refinement over flash.
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The emerald cut emphasizes symmetry, balance, and clean geometry. It showcases the stone’s internal clarity and color more than most other shapes, giving it a calm, composed elegance. It’s a favorite for those with classic or minimalist tastes.
Pear Shaped Diamonds
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Pear-shaped diamonds — also known as teardrop diamonds — blend the round brilliant cut with the marquise shape, resulting in a graceful stone that’s rounded on one end and pointed on the other. Their unique asymmetrical silhouette creates a striking visual impact and can elongate the look of the finger when worn.
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Pear diamonds offer a balance of softness and edge — romantic and bold at once. Their asymmetry allows for playful yet elegant designs. Whether worn with the point facing up or down, the pear shape adds drama and flair to engagement rings.
Marquise Shaped Diamonds
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The marquise cut is a bold and elegant diamond shape with a rich history. Legend has it that King Louis XV of France commissioned the cut to resemble the lips of his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour. Its elongated shape with pointed ends creates a striking silhouette that maximizes perceived size and adds a touch of royal sophistication.
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Marquise diamonds exude vintage drama and elegance. Their narrow, extended profile creates a slimming effect on the finger, and their long surface area makes them appear larger than other cuts of the same carat weight. The shape stands out in both traditional and contemporary settings.
Asscher Shaped Diamonds
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The Asscher cut is a distinctive square-shaped diamond with cropped corners and a mesmerizing step-cut facet pattern. Developed in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers of Amsterdam, this cut rose to fame during the Art Deco period and remains a favorite for its clean lines, symmetry, and bold presence.
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Asscher diamonds are often described as having a “hall of mirrors” effect — a deep, dramatic look that draws the eye inward. They suit those who appreciate vintage aesthetics, clean geometry, and a more subtle, understated brilliance compared to brilliant cuts.
Radiant Shaped Diamonds
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Radiant cut diamonds blend the structured elegance of emerald cuts with the dazzling sparkle of brilliant cuts. With trimmed corners and a vibrant facet pattern, the radiant shape is perfect for those who want a square or rectangular diamond that truly shines from every angle.
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Radiant diamonds offer incredible sparkle thanks to their many facets — especially when compared to step cuts like emerald or Asscher. Their angular shape gives a bold, modern edge, while their brilliance makes them a showstopper in any setting.
Heart Shaped Diamonds
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Heart-shaped diamonds are bold, expressive, and unmistakably romantic. With a symmetrical silhouette and a distinctive cleft at the top, this fancy shape is often chosen for sentimental gifts and meaningful engagement rings. It's a true statement of affection and individuality.
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A heart-shaped diamond makes an emotional and visual impact. Whether dainty or bold, the shape is instantly recognizable and can reflect the unique story behind your love. Its brilliant-cut facets ensure plenty of sparkle, especially in well-proportioned stones above 0.50 carats.
How to Choose the Perfect Stone Shape for You
Selecting the right stone shape is more than just trends — it’s about lifestyle, personal aesthetic, and even practical factors like durability.
Hand Shape:
Elongated shapes like oval and emerald are flattering for shorter fingers. Wider shapes like cushion or round suit longer fingers.Lifestyle and Durability:
Active lifestyles may prefer round or oval, as they are less prone to snagging. Princess and marquise cuts, while stunning, have pointed corners that may need extra protection.Style Preferences:
Your jewellery should feel like an extension of your personality, enhancing your natural style.-
Classic
Round, oval, emerald.
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Bold/Statement:
Marquise, radiant, heart.
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Vintage Lover:
Cushion, emerald, pear.
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Modern/Chic:
Princess, radiant, oval.
Explore Diamovida’s Stunning Collection of Gemstone Cuts
Need Help Choosing or Customising Your Diamond?
Whether you’re still exploring diamond shapes or ready to bring your dream ring to life, we’re here to help.
Custom Design Services: Want something uniquely yours? At Diamovida, we offer design-your-own jewellery services to help you create a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects your style and story.
Whether it's selecting the perfect setting, stone shape, or custom details, we’ll guide you every step of the way.
