When it comes to engagement rings, round brilliant cut diamonds have been the most popular choice of diamond shape for decades. However, diamonds are cut into a range of different shapes. Looking for an alternative shape for your unique engagement ring? Here are 6 beautiful alternatives to the round brilliant cut diamond.
1. Oval shaped diamond engagement rings
Almost round, but not quite, oval shaped diamonds have been increasingly sought after for engagement ring designs in recent years. They’re elegant, flattering on the finger, and work beautifully alongside small brilliant cut diamonds if you want to add extra sparkle. With variations in the proportions and curving of oval cut diamonds, each oval shaped diamond is also unique in its own way.
Oval shaped diamonds work beautifully in solitaire engagement rings designs, as well as paired with round brilliant cut diamonds, like in this one.
2. Asscher cut diamond engagement rings
A style that has been around long after the round brilliant cut diamond soared into popularity, the Asscher cut diamond makes for a beautifully unique engagement ring. Step cut faceting creates a ‘hall of mirrors’ effect in the stone.
This signet style engagement ring features a magnificent Asscher cut diamond.
3. Radiant cut diamond engagement rings
The radiant cut is so rarely used in white diamond engagement rings, that we’ve only had a few of these made into rings at our studio. Here’s why no one knows about them.
Radiant cuts are common for coloured gemstones, because the way it reflects light within the stone enhances its colour. Apply this to diamonds where a lack of colour is the goal, and you can see why radiant cuts pose a problem. Jewellery makers who use anything but the very highest of white colour grades avoid them because they’ll enhance any yellow/brown/grey shades within the stone. However radiant cut faceting in a colourless D-F diamond? Is truly breathtaking. To me, it’s a wonderful hidden-in-plain-sight secret of the fine jewellery world.
Radiant cut diamonds are a best kept secret of the fine jewellery world, for diamonds of exceptional colour grades.
4. Emerald cut diamond engagement rings
The emerald cut diamond is one that brings an elegant old world style to an engagement ring design. They’ve been around for hundreds of years, but soared to popularity in the art deco era, when design was dominated by geometric, streamlined shapes. Due to its smaller number of facets than a brilliant cut - many of which are long and rectangular - be sure to look for excellent clarity and colour to get the most out of this beautiful shape.
Emerald cut diamonds bring and old world elegance to a modern engagement ring design.
5. Cushion cut diamond engagement rings
Before modern diamond faceting advanced, cushion shaped profiles known as old mine cuts were one of the few common shapes of diamond around. The modern cushion cut diamond takes this shape and applies modern brilliant cut faceting techniques, to create a sparkly beautiful blend of modern and traditional styles. It works marvelously in a wide variety of engagement ring designs, giving you the flexibility to get creative with your piece. They’re available in square or more elongated cushion shapes which both make for beautiful engagement rings.
Cushion cut diamonds are a wonderful blend of modern faceting and historical diamond shapes.
6. Kite shape diamond engagement rings
I'll finish my list with a diamond shape that’s so unique that it doesn’t even have a consistent name on the diamond and engagement ring scene. This one is called a kite cut, shield cut or pentagon, depending on who’s naming it. Though whatever you decide to call it, it’s a unique and beautiful diamond shape for an engagement ring. Each diamond faceted in this way has significant differences in its shape and proportions - so if you’re looking for one, approach it with an open mind about what you’ll find available at the time.
Kite shaped diamonds are one of the rarest diamond shapes, and appear under many different names. Each gem cut in this style has its own unique differences in angles and proportions.
These 6 diamond shapes are a few of many available alternatives to the popular round brilliant cut diamond. If you’re looking for a unique ring, there are many beautiful options around to incorporate into your engagement ring design to make it perfect for your personal style.
