Diamond Cuts 101

The Guide to Diamond Shapes

While cut determines a diamond’s dazzle, romantic allure an lasting value, knowledge of specific diamond shapes is essential for appreciating cut.

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Round Cut

Round on top and tapering into a cone, the round brilliant has 58 facets. The crown has 33 facets above the stone’s middle, or girdle and the diamond’s pavilion or lower half has 25 facets.

Princess Cut

The Princess cut is one of the most popular shapes for an engagement ring. It has 76 facets and the face-up shape of the cut is rectangular. In profile, it's an inverted pyramid with four beveled sides.

Pear Shaped

Containing 58 facets, the pear shape cut is a combination of a round and a marquise shape, with a tapered point on one end. This cut is worn with the narrow end pointed toward the fingers

Marquise Cut

Also referred to as the "Navette" shape, the marquise diamond cut generally contains 58 facets, with 33 on the crown and 25 on the pavilion.

Cushion Cut

The cushion cut diamond typically has 58 facets. This sensuous square has rounded corners, much like a pillow. This classic cut has been around for almost 200 years.

Heart Shaped

Heart shaped diamonds can vary in appearance depending on their make or structure. The quality of the curved cut and finish determines the diamond's sparkle factor.

Emerald Cut

The unique emerald cut is square-shaped, containing 25 facets on the crown, 8 on the girdle and 25 on the pavilion. Emerald cut diamonds product a hall-of-mirrors effect.

Oval Cut

Oval diamonds are cut in the brilliant faceting style, which means the diamond has 57 or 58 facets, like a standard round brilliant, endowing it with similar optical qualities.

Baguette Cut

The baguette cut diamond has a long, rectangular shape and has 14 facets. Best described as an antique diamond shape, it could be seen as a form of an elongated emerald cut.

Trilliant Cut

The trilliant cut is triangular in shape and has between 31 and 50 facets. The cut is most often used as a complimentary stone, but can be quite stunning in solitaire arrangements.

Assher Cut

Invented in 1902 by Joseph Asscher, the cut is octagonal in shape and has 58 facets. Almost one hundred years later, the shape began to make a comeback due to cut modifications that gave the shape more brilliance.

Radient Cut

Known as the square or rectangular-modified brilliant, the radiant cut contains 70 facets and crisp edges. The cut dynamically combines the brilliance of the round, emerald and princess cuts in a uniquely proportioned design.

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