Diamond Cut Types: A Complete Shape Glossary
Round, oval, emerald, pear and more — every popular shape explained in one place.
“Cut” can mean two things: the shape of a stone and the quality of its faceting. This glossary covers the shapes — your quick reference to the most popular diamond and moissanite cuts. Tap any shape to shop that style.
| Shape | Character |
|---|---|
| Round brilliant | Maximum sparkle; the timeless classic. |
| Oval | Brilliant fire with an elongating, finger-flattering shape. |
| Princess | Square and modern with brilliant sparkle. |
| Cushion | Soft, pillowy square; romantic and vintage. |
| Emerald | Step-cut elegance and clean lines. |
| Radiant | Bold rectangular shape with brilliant fire. |
| Pear | A teardrop — distinctive and elegant. |
| Marquise | Long pointed oval; maximizes finger coverage. |
| Asscher | Square step cut; Art Deco glamour. |
Tip: brilliant-style cuts (round, oval, princess, cushion, radiant, pear, marquise) hide inclusions and maximize sparkle; step cuts (emerald, Asscher) reward a clean, high-clarity stone — easy with quality moissanite.
Want the deeper how-to on choosing? See our cut guide, and learn what creates sparkle in Diamond Anatomy & Cut Quality.
FAQs
Which cut sparkles the most?
The round brilliant is engineered for maximum sparkle, with oval and princess close behind.
Which cut looks biggest per carat?
Elongated shapes like oval, pear, and marquise tend to look larger for their weight.
Leave a comment