Top 10 Diamond Cuts

Choosing the perfect engagement ring is one thing; choosing the perfect diamond shape is quite another. Diamonds can be cut and polished into a plethora of shapes, anything from the classic round brilliant to Christmas trees and even horse heads! Emily Dixon, Hatton Garden jeweller and gemmologist at Hearts of London, outlines the top ten diamond cuts to help you in your search for the perfect shape.

By far the most popular cut is the Round Brilliant, with it's fifty-seven perfectly aligned facets it's brilliance really does out-shine the others. Total internal reflection is the key here; light travels through the stone giving optimum sparkle and scintillation. You can't go wrong with a round brilliant diamond which will look awesome in any setting; the true classic engagement ring. 

Round Brilliant Diamond                                                                                         Round Brilliant Diamond 

In the past year we have seen a massive rise in the popularity of the cushion cut diamond; it has overtaken the Princess cut in being the second most popular diamond shape. Being a cross between the round brilliant cut and a princess; it is a softer square or rectangular shape, a little like a cushion or pillow - hence the name! Our clients love a cushion cut diamond set into our scallop set halo engagement ring design.

Cushion Cut Diamond                                                                                             Cushion Cut Diamond 

The Princess cut diamond is next on our list; a real draw for those who are all about the angles. The square shape brings a contemporary feel to your diamond ring and can be set in either the square or compass point orientation; we tend to set ours with what are known as box claws to really show off that 90 degree angle. The Princess cut remains a classic here in Hatton Garden. 

Princess Cut Diamond                                                                                              Princess Cut Diamond 

The Emerald cut is one of the most timeless of all of the diamond cuts. It is elegant and beautiful, particularly because it's recommended to aim for higher colours and clarities; there is no hiding when it comes to an emerald cut. The style of cutting is what we call step cut, it's more of a hall of mirror effect than the total internal reflection that comes from a round. If it's good enough for Beyoncé...

Emerald Cut Diamond                                                                                           Emerald Cut Diamond 

Another of the softer shapes is the oval; by being slighter longer than the round but having similar sparkle it is a great choice to elongate the finger. Ovals tend to be cut from shallower diamonds to really make the most of the rough stone ~ there is nothing rough about this gorgeous cut of diamond though!

Oval Cut Diamond                                                                                               Oval Cut Diamond 

If you are looking for something even longer then the Marquise might just be the one for you. Carat for carat the marquise has the largest surface area of any diamond cut so it always looks incredible, from a 0.30ct to a 0.90ct stone, if you're down on one knee with one of these bad boys, you're sure to get the answer you're looking for. 

Marquise Cut Diamond                                                                                          Marquise Cut Diamond 

In 2016 we saw a rise in the popularity of the pear shape diamond; whether set into a solitaire design or with pave shoulders, it is always a winner. The pear is such an elegant shape and it brings a degree of old-school glamour to your jewellery; with the addition of some millgraining it is modern-day vintage at it's best. 

Next we come to the Asscher cut, which is a square variation on the emerald cut mentioned above. Asschers have incredibly unique and mesmerizing reflections; it is an unusual cut with a smaller table and cropped corners that really stands out when making it's way through our workshop. 

Asscher Cut Diamond                                                                                          Asscher Cut Diamond 

The last of the angular shapes is the Radiant, cut between an emerald and a brilliant, you get a great combination of clean lines and brilliance. This is one of the more unusual shapes for us to sell and when we do it is more often than not in a fancy yellow colour as the cut really makes the most of a coloured stone. 

Radiant Cut Diamond                                                                                             Radiant Cut Diamond 

Last (but by no means least) is my personal favourite, the heart shape diamond. Certainly not everyone's cup of tea, the heart shape has a small but dedicated fan base. There is no mistaking the meaning behind a heart shape diamond. For me a small halo of diamonds around the outside in a simple halo design is the best way to show off this gorgeous diamond shape.


Heart Shape Diamond                                                                                           Heart Shape Diamond