Selecting the perfect center stone shape for your engagement ring is an exciting and important decision. It’s one of the key decisions to make when picking out or designing your or your partner’s dream ring. Each center stone shape carries its own unique characteristics and appeal. Let’s explore the various center stone shapes to help you discover which gem shape will be the best for your engagement ring
Also referred to as the round brilliant cut, the round cut center stone shape is renowned for its timeless elegance and exceptional brilliance. Featuring 58 brilliant facets carefully arranged to maximize light performance. Round cut diamonds are a classic choice for traditional diamond engagement rings. Round brilliant cut diamonds are the most popular diamond shape, accounting for around 75% of all diamonds sold worldwide.
Round cut stones are some of the earliest center stone shapes and continue to be the most popular diamond shape choice today. While their origins trace back centuries, it wasn’t until the 1920s that round cut diamonds were optimized for the intense sparkle they are known for in modern times. Technically there are many varieties of “round cut’ diamonds, but the modern and most common is the round brilliant cut”
Excellent cut round diamonds are great at concealing small clarity imperfections and subtle color tints. While many celebrities opt for the classic round cut stone, Natalie Portman, Jennifer Lawrence, and Kate Hudson are among them.
Princess cut gem shapes rank as the second most popular center stone choice for diamond shapes in the realm of engagement rings. Originating from the table cut shape, the princess cut diamond cannot be credited to a single individual due to its evolutionary journey. However, it is most commonly associated with the contributions of Arpad Nagy, Israel Itzkowitz, and Betzalel Ambar, particularly in shaping the modern princess cut.
Defined by its square shape with pointed corners, the princess cut has a contemporary allure. The cutting process for a princess cut involves a blend of brilliant cut facets and step cutting techniques, resulting in a distinctive mixed sparkle that sets it apart from classic round shapes.
Princess cut diamonds excel in showcasing the color hues present in fancy colored diamonds and colored gemstones. Additionally, they offer a larger visible surface area compared to round brilliant cuts of the same carat weight. This versatility allows princess cut stones to shine in a variety of engagement ring settings and styles. Presently in recent years they have become less popular as other shapes have been trending, but they are still a great choice.
Celebrity Princess Cut Engagement Rings: Celebrities such as Kate Bosworth, Hilary Duff, and Rebecca Romijn have all been seen wearing princess cut engagement rings.
The cushion cut gem shape traces its roots back to the 18th century, evolving from the old mine cut. Representing a blend between a round brilliant and a square shape, cushion cuts have rounded corners that emulate the appearance of a plush pillow. These cuts have a similar ‘square’ shape to the princess cut but the rounded corners create a softer look.
Ranked as the third most popular choice for diamond engagement rings, cushion cut diamonds have a brilliant sparkle similar to the round brilliant cut. Their versatility shines through as they complement a variety of engagement ring settings and styles.
Additionally, some individuals may opt for an elongated cushion center stone shape to achieve a soft, rectangular appearance.
Celebrity Cushion Cut Engagement Rings: Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian, and Jessica Biel are among many celebrities who’ve chosen the cushion cut for their engagement rings.
Oval cut diamonds were crafted to retain the dazzling sparkle of the round brilliant cut, but with an elongated silhouette. Oval cut diamonds are favored center stone choices for engagement rings. The elongated shape creates the illusion of longer and slimmer fingers.
Classic solitaire settings often feature oval cuts due to their ability to appear larger than other gem shapes without the need for a higher carat weight.
Oval cuts are often romanticized and selected for intricate settings, such as the halo setting or designs adorned with vintage-inspired details. Individuals can opt for a longer or fuller oval, allowing for a range of appearances and styles. Some ovals can be more long and skinny while some are more short and wide. This is due to the different proportions on the length and width. Two oval stones with the same carat weight can have different proportions and look.
Celebrity Oval Cut Engagement Rings: Blake Lively, Hailey Bieber, and Katie Holmes are among the many celebrities that have been spotted wearing oval cut engagement rings.
The marquise cut is also known as the navette cut because of its boat-like shape. Legend has it that this distinctive cut was commissioned by King Louis XV of France, who desired a diamond shaped like the lips of his beloved mistress, Madame De Pompadour.
The slender and elongated silhouette is noted for its ability to lengthen the finger, like other elongated shapes. The marquise cut gem shape can vary in appearance, from slim to fuller, depending on style preferences.
While commonly chosen as center stones, marquise cuts can also be found as accent stones. This is particularly true in designs inspired by leaves or gardens, where they may be set both horizontally and vertically. Renowned for their unique aesthetic, marquise center stone shapes command attention in vintage and romantic engagement ring settings.
Celebrity Marquise Cut Engagement Rings: Celebrities such as Catherine Zeta-Jones, Ashlee Simpson, and Christina Millian have been known to wear marquise cut engagement rings.
The radiant cut center stone shape typically exhibits a square silhouette, but it can also be cut rectangular. Originating in the 1970s, the radiant cut is relatively newer than most gem shapes. The radiant cut was envisioned to incorporate cropped corners similar to the emerald cut, while integrating brilliant cut facets for enhanced sparkle.
Frequently featured as center stones, radiant cut shapes can also be chosen as side stones often paired with other square or rectangular center stones. They are especially ideal shapes for colored gemstones and fancy colored diamonds.
Similar to cushion cuts, the faceting pattern of a radiant cut center stone can be tailored to produce broader flashes of light for a chunky appearance or a crushed ice effect. With their modern allure, radiant cuts are an exceptional choice for contemporary engagement ring settings such as Toi et Moi ring settings or East-to-West engagement rings.
Celebrity Radiant Cut Engagement Rings: Celebrities such as Drew Barrymore, Paris Hilton, and Jennifer Hudson have been seen wearing radiant cut engagement rings.
Pear cuts may also be called teardrop shapes from their distinctive “water drop” silhouette. Pear cuts feature a rounded bottom that tapers to a point at the top.
The pear cut gem shape is versatile and can integrate into various engagement ring settings and styles. These romantic shapes are most often incorporated in vintage engagement ring settings and styles, rather than a bold and modern look.
The appearance of a pear cut center stone can vary, ranging from thinner to fuller, catering to individual style preferences. Some may opt for a softer, rounded point while others prefer a sharper look. Pear cuts are often seen in single or double halo engagement ring settings for a touch of elegance.
Celebrity Pear Cut Engagement Rings: Pear cut engagement rings have been worn by many celebrities including Cardi B, Sophie Turner, and Victoria Beckham.
Emerald cuts set themselves apart from most gem shapes because of their step cut facets. While brilliant cuts dazzle with their sparkling brilliance, step-cut shapes feature stair-like facets.
Rectangular in shape with cropped corners, emerald cuts are known for their “hall of mirrors” effect, a result of their step-cutting faceting. The elongated facets create dramatic flashes of light instead of the broken up glittering effect seen in brilliant cutting techniques.
Emerald cut diamonds gained popularity during the Art Deco period of the 1920s and 1930s for their geometric aesthetic and streamlined silhouette. While emerald cuts are celebrated for their vintage charm, these same characteristics also make them ideal center stones for modern engagement ring settings with bold and contemporary aesthetics.
Celebrity Emerald Cut Engagement Rings: Many celebrities have adored their emerald cut engagement rings including Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, and Angelina Jolie.
An Asscher cut shape features trimmed corners within a square shape. Like emerald cuts, they are also step-cut with narrow facets. When looking at the center of an Asscher cut, an X is able to be seen.
The Asscher cut was created by the Asscher brothers of Holland in the early 20th century. Alongside other step-cut shapes, Asscher cuts reached their height of popularity during the Art Deco jewelry era where geometric shapes were incorporated into jewelry.
The hall of mirror effect and X shape produced by Asscher cuts make it more distinct and unique than traditional engagement ring shapes. Whether chosen for vintage styles or modern engagement ring settings, an Asscher cut center stone is the most unique out of the traditional gem shapes.
Celebrity Asscher Cut Engagement Rings: Celebrities such as Jessica Alba and Gwyneth Paltrow have been known to wear Asscher cut engagement rings, further fueling their popularity.
Known for their romantic symbolism, heart cut gem shapes are the most popular gem shapes chosen for necklaces and pendants. While not as often chosen for engagement rings, heart cuts are prominent in fine jewelry and especially around Valentine’s Day.
Heart cut gems require a distinct cutting pattern that results in a beautiful brilliance. Some hearts may be fuller or more prominent, depending how the cleft is cut. Heart cuts are popular center stone choices for solitaire engagement rings, but may also be incorporated into more intricate engagement ring settings.
Celebrity Heart Cut Engagement Rings: Nicki Minaj, Lady Gaga, and Avril Lavigne have all adorned heart cut engagement rings on their fingers.
At AW Jewelry, our customers are able to create custom engagement rings with a variety of gem shapes beyond the 10 traditional shapes mentioned above. While many online jewelers only offer these shapes, our jewelers are able to acquire less common center stone shapes such as:
We have the ability to custom cut shapes for you, allowing you to have top-tier originality in your engagement ring. Choose beyond typical gem shapes and create fun shapes such as stars, horses, cats and other artistic shapes. Ask about our fantasy cut gemstones, which are cut underneath to display different patterns and pictures for an engagement ring that will stand out above the rest.
Partner up with expert jewelers at AW and craft the dream engagement ring you’ve always wanted. Contact us to start your engagement ring journey today.