Diamond Shape vs. Diamond Cut | What’s the Difference?

When shopping for a diamond, two terms often cause confusion: diamond shape and diamond cut. While they might sound similar, they refer to very different aspects of the diamond. Understanding the difference between the two is key to choosing a diamond that truly reflects your personal style and meets your expectations for brilliance, symmetry, and overall appearance. Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What Is Diamond Shape?

Shape refers to the outline or form of the diamond when viewed from the top. It's what you notice first when you look at a diamond. Shapes are more about the visual style and personality of the stone rather than its technical precision.

Common Diamond Shapes:

• Round: Classic, timeless, and the most popular shape for engagement rings.
  

• Princess: Square with sharp corners, modern and bold.
  

• Oval: Elongated shape that creates a slimming effect on the finger.
  

• Emerald: Rectangular with step cuts and a hall-of-mirrors look.
  

• Cushion: Square or rectangular with rounded corners, offering a soft romantic feel.
  

• Pear: Teardrop shape, combining the round and marquise styles.
  

• Marquise: Football-shaped with pointed ends, ideal for making fingers appear longer.
  

• Asscher: Square with cropped corners and layered step cuts, vintage in feel.
  

• Heart: A romantic shape, often chosen for special gifts.
  

• Radiant: Rectangular with brilliant-cut facets, giving it extra sparkle.
  

What Is Diamond Cut?

Diamond Cut refers to the precision, angles, and proportions of how the diamond is faceted and shaped internally. Unlike shape, which is about form, cut affects how the diamond reflects light and sparkles. A well-cut diamond returns light beautifully, giving it brilliance, fire, and scintillation.

The cut is arguably the most important factor in how a diamond performs visually.

The Three Main Parts That Cut Affects:

• Brilliance: The white light that reflects from the surface and inside of the diamond.
  

• Fire: The rainbow-like light that splits and reflects off the facets.
  

• Scintillation: The sparkle you see when the diamond or light source moves.
  

Cut is graded by laboratories like GIA on a scale that includes:

• Excellent
  

• Very Good
  

• Good
  

• Fair
  

• Poor
  

A poorly cut diamond can look dull, even if it has perfect color and clarity. On the other hand, an excellently cut diamond can appear larger and more vibrant than its actual carat weight.

Key Differences Between Diamond Shape and Cut

Think of shape as the canvas and cut as the brushwork. A beautiful shape without a good cut will lack sparkle and life.

Why the Confusion?

Some diamond shapes, like the round brilliant, are known by their cut name too. This creates confusion. People often refer to a "round cut diamond" when they mean both the shape and the cutting style. But not all diamonds follow this overlap. For example, emerald cut and emerald shape mean the same thing only when referring to the visual style, not necessarily its precision.

How Cut Affects Price More Than Shape

While shape does influence diamond price (round diamonds tend to be more expensive due to demand and rough waste), cut quality has a stronger impact on how valuable and beautiful the diamond looks.

A well-cut diamond will often cost more because of the precision involved in shaping the facets, but it also delivers better performance in return.

How Shape Influences Ring Design

Some diamond shapes naturally suit certain ring styles. For example:

• Round is perfect for solitaires or halos
  

• Cushion and oval work well in vintage-style settings
  

• Pear and marquise often pair with unique east-west orientations or delicate bands
  

Your ring setting should complement the shape and highlight its best features.

How Cut Affects Lab Grown Diamonds Too

Just like natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds rely heavily on cut quality to shine. Even though lab grown stones can offer better value, a poor cut can still make them appear lifeless.

Whether you're exploring lab grown diamond rings for an engagement or a special gift, always check the cut grade. A beautifully cut lab grown Asscher cut diamond can rival even the best mined diamonds in brilliance and charm.

Final Takeaway

In simple terms, shape is what you see, and cut is what makes it shine. Both are important in choosing the perfect diamond, but cut plays a bigger role in brilliance and visual impact.

• Shape is the form or outline of the diamond - what it looks like.
  

• Cut is the internal craftsmanship - how it reflects light and sparkles.
  

• Both are important, but if sparkle and performance matter to you, cut is king.

When you shop for a diamond, always begin with the shape that suits your personality. Then check the cut grade to make sure the diamond will shine at its best. Whether you love a round solitaire, a bold Asscher shape, or a heart-cut lab grown diamond, knowing the difference between shape and cut helps you make a confident and informed choice.

Still wondering where to begin? Explore Emori's lab grown diamond jewellery today. The right piece might be waiting just for you.