Planning to pop the question soon? There’s no better way to let her know you’re down than by giving her a sparkling engagement ring.
But…choosing a diamond cut can be daunting. With so many to choose from and consider, from round and oval to princess and emerald cuts, finding the perfect diamond that fits her style and your budget is a task.
Fear not – this diamond cuts guide will tell you everything you need to know about choosing the perfect diamond ring for your fiancé. Keep reading to learn:
- The 4 Most Popular Diamond Cuts Defined
- How Diamond Cut Affects Sparkle, Appearance, And Cost
- Which Diamond Cut Goes With Which Hand Shape
- Tips for Choosing the Perfect Diamond Cut Ring for Her
Why Diamond Cut is the Single Most Important Factor for Engagement Rings
Before we begin: Let’s get one thing out of the way…
Diamond cut is not the same thing as diamond shape. A lot of people get these two terms mixed up, and it’s understandable why.
Diamond cut refers to how well the diamond has been crafted from its raw form in terms of proportions, symmetry, polish, and other aspects that influence light return.
Shape is the outline of the diamond. Round, oval, square, heart, pear, cushion, princess, radiant…you get the idea.
Got it? Good. Let’s proceed.
A well-cut diamond will sparkle like there’s no tomorrow. A poorly cut one, no matter how big the carat weight, will look dull and lifeless.
When shopping for engagement rings, make cut your number one priority. This is the factor that has the single greatest influence over how stunning that diamond will look on her finger.
For couples on a budget looking to find the perfect one carat engagement ring, Leon Diamond has a gorgeous collection that features exceptional cut quality without breaking the bank.
The Most Popular Diamond Cuts Defined
Round Brilliant Cut
When it comes to the centre stone of engagement rings, the round brilliant cut still reigns supreme. According to The Knot’s 2024 study, 28% of rings feature a round diamond as their centre stone.
Round cuts have been the most popular diamond shape for engagement rings since way before anyone can remember. And with good reason, too.
Round brilliants have 58 facets – each specifically placed to ensure maximum light return and brilliance. This produces that signature fire that most people think of when they think of diamonds.
Pros: Round diamonds provide the most sparkle. Timeless, versatile, and available in nearly every setting style, a round diamond will work with any design.
The cushioned corners also help hide inclusions.
Cons: Round diamonds are usually the most expensive option per carat. Fancy shapes generally have more face-up appearance for less money.
Oval Cut
Oval diamonds are currently the fastest growing engagement ring trend.
They now account for 25% of all engagement rings… and climbing. The elongated shape makes them look larger than their carat weight, plus they slim down the finger.
Ovals offer near-equal sparkle levels to rounds for a much larger face-up appearance.
Princess Cut
This is the second most popular square-shaped diamond in the world. The princess cut features sharp corners and square shoulders, along with a brilliant faceting pattern that produces incredible sparkle.
The princess cut is a perfect choice for modern engagement ring settings. This cut is also typically less expensive than a round diamond of the same carat weight.
Note: Because of those sharp corners, princess cuts need protective settings with things like V-prongs or bezel along the edges to prevent chipping.
Emerald Cut
A symbol of sophistication and elegance, the emerald cut has long rectangular facets that produce a “hall of mirrors” effect. Emerald cuts focus more on clarity and clean lines rather than maximum fire.
This cut will show inclusions far more easily than brilliant cuts, so you’ll want to pay particular attention to clarity grades when shopping for an emerald-cut engagement ring.
Cushion Cut
A square-shaped diamond with softly rounded corners, the cushion cut is over 200 years old and still popular with engagement rings today.
The larger facets produce wide flashes of light rather than tight, concentrated sparkle. Some describe this as a “crushed ice” effect.
Cushion cuts work well in vintage-inspired rings but also work very well in modern settings, too.
How Diamond Cut Affects Sparkle, Appearance, and Price
Fun fact: Few people realise this, but cut quality has a significant impact on price.
A diamond with an excellent cut can cost 20-30% more than a good cut diamond of the same carat, colour, and clarity. That’s a large markup for something most people don’t even understand.
Is it worth it?
The answer is a resounding yes.
A high-quality cut diamond will outshine a lower cut diamond any day of the week – even if that poorly cut diamond has a better colour or clarity grade.
Smart shoppers will:
- Prioritise cut quality first and foremost
- Sacrifice one colour or clarity grade to afford a better cut
- Compare diamonds side by side before purchase
Diamond Cuts That Suit Your Fiancé’s Hand Shape
The truth: Different cuts suit different hand shapes. Here’s a quick guide to help you pair them:
- Long, slender fingers: Almost any diamond cut will look great on long, slender fingers. In fact, wider diamond shapes like cushion and princess cuts help balance out those long fingers.
- Short fingers: Elongated shapes like oval, marquise, and pear cuts create the illusion of a longer finger.
- Wide fingers: Oval and marquise cuts will also make the finger appear longer and more slender.
- Small hands: For petite hands, it’s usually better to go with a smaller carat weight in a well-cut diamond. A well-cut 1-carat diamond usually looks better than a poorly cut 2-carat diamond on a small hand.
Natural Diamonds or Lab-Grown? Which Is Best?
The diamond world has changed a lot.
According to new data, 52% of all engagement ring centre stones purchased in 2024 were lab-grown.
Lab-grown diamonds are identical to natural diamonds on a molecular level. The only real differences are:
- Lower price
- More environmentally friendly
- Allows for larger carat weights at a fraction of the price
Lab-grown diamonds come in all popular cuts just like natural diamonds, so it’s simply a matter of what you want to spend.
Wrapping Up
Understanding diamond cuts will change the way you look at engagement rings forever.
Diamond cut influences sparkle, appearance, and price more than any other factor when it comes to engagement ring shopping. A good-quality cut will make that diamond look more beautiful, while a poor cut will diminish the diamond’s overall beauty.
Quick recap:
- Cut quality is the number one most important factor to consider for an engagement ring diamond
- Round brilliant cut remains the most popular diamond shape, but oval is fast catching up
- Different diamond cuts suit different hand shapes and personal style preferences
- Lab-grown diamonds now dominate the market for cost-conscious couples
Take your time, try on different cuts, and see how they sparkle. You’ll be able to find the engagement ring that she’s been dreaming of.
You just have to know where to look.