Pav & Broome Fine Jewelry
Diamond Cuts

How do I choose the cut for my engagement ring diamond?

When it comes to choosing an engagement ring, the diamond cut is one of the most important aspects to consider. It not only influences the appearance of the diamond but also its sparkle, brilliance, and overall impact. The right cut can elevate the beauty of the stone, making it a true reflection of your unique love story. There are many factors to consider when selecting the cut for your ring, and it’s essential to choose one that aligns with your personality and style.

In this guide, we’ve compiled details about some of the most popular diamond cuts to help you navigate your options. Whether you’re drawn to the timeless brilliance of a round diamond or the sleek sophistication of an emerald cut, each shape offers its own unique appeal. Our expert team is here to assist you in making an informed decision and ensuring that the cut you choose truly represents your vision for the perfect ring. After all, your engagement ring is a symbol of your love, and the right diamond cut will bring that symbol to life.

  • Round Brilliant Cut:
    • Popularity: The round brilliant cut is the most popular and timeless diamond shape.
    • Characteristics: It has 58 facets, maximizing light return and creating the most brilliance and sparkle.
    • Ideal for:
        • those who value tradition and timelessness. The round cut is ideal for someone who want a classic, elegant look that maximizes the diamond’s shine and a ring that never goes out of style. It’s perfect for someone who wants a universally admired, sparkling diamond that reflects stability and sophistication.
  • Princess Cut:
    • Popularity: This is the second most popular diamond cut for engagement rings.
    • Characteristics: It has a square or rectangular shape with pointed corners and brilliant-cut facets, offering a lot of sparkle and fire.
    • Ideal for:
        • those with more modern, bold personalities, for those who prefer a contemporary look but still want the brilliance of a round cut.
          The princess cut is a contemporary and edgy choice.  If you’re someone who loves sleek, sharp designs and a high-shine diamond, this cut offers a balance of modernity and sparkle.
  • Cushion Cut:
    • Popularity: The cushion cut has been gaining popularity in recent years.
    • Characteristics: It features rounded corners and larger facets, often creating a vintage or romantic feel.
    • Ideal for:
        • those individuals who seek uniqueness with a touch of sophistication,  for people who like a more unique, softer look with a touch of vintage charm.
  • Oval Cut
    • Popularity: The oval cut is growing in popularity, particularly for those looking for something distinctive but still elegant.
    • Characteristics: Similar to the round cut, it offers brilliance but with an elongated shape, making it appear larger than other diamonds of the same carat weight.
    • Ideal for:
        • people who seek uniqueness with a touch of sophistication.The oval cut is perfect for someone who wants an elongated shape that still offers brilliance. It’s also great for those who prefer to stand out with something a little different, while still maintaining a graceful and polished look.
  • Emerald Cut:
    • Popularity: This is popular for people who prefer an elegant and sophisticated style.
    • Characteristics: It has step-like facets and a rectangular shape, offering a more subdued brilliance but more of a “hall of mirrors” effect.
    • Ideal for:
        • those individuals who value sophistication and understated elegance.The emerald cut speaks to a person who prefers more subtlety and less flash, with a preference for a sleek, sophisticated style. It’s a cut that exudes refined taste and elegance without overwhelming brilliance. This cut is for those who appreciate understated elegance and a more vintage, art-deco-inspired style.
  • Asscher Cut:
    • Popularity: The Asscher cut is similar to the emerald cut but is square-shaped and often considered a vintage choice.
    • Characteristics: Like the emerald cut, it has step-like facets and a high degree of clarity is more apparent in this cut.
    • Ideal for: 
        • those with a love for vintage, art-deco style.If you adore retro, glamorous designs, the Asscher cut is a perfect fit. It is often chosen by those who appreciate detailed craftsmanship and the bold, geometric lines of the early 20th century. If you are seeking a vintage, sophisticated look with a more modern twist than the emerald cut, this is the diamond for you.
  • Marquise Cut:
    • Popularity: Marquise cuts are less common but still favored for their distinct shape.
    • Characteristics: The marquise cut has an elongated, boat-like shape with pointed ends. It is known for maximizing the carat weight and creating a striking, elegant appearance.
    • Ideal for:
        • individuals who enjoy drama and attention-grabbing designs. The marquise cut offers a striking and bold silhouette that can stand out in a crowd. It’s an ideal choice for those who want a diamond that makes a statement and appears larger due to its elongated shape. If you want a dramatic, unique look, this is a cut you should consider. The elongated appearance can also make fingers look slimmer.
  • Pear Cut:
    • Popularity: Pear-shaped diamonds are a unique hybrid of the oval and marquise cuts.
    • Characteristics: The shape is teardrop-like, with one pointed end and one rounded end, offering a beautiful balance of grace and sophistication.
    • Ideal for:
        • those who love uniqueness and elegance.The pear-shaped diamond can feel like an artistic, graceful choice. It is ideal for someone who enjoys a ring that is feminine and distinctive, with a blend of both round and marquise characteristics. The pear cut offers a unique, elegant look with a bit of individuality.
  • Radiant Cut:
    • Popularity: The radiant cut combines the brilliance of the round cut with the rectangular or square shape.
    • Characteristics: It has cropped corners and is cut with numerous facets for sparkle. It’s a great mix of the sparkle of a round cut with the shape of an emerald cut.
    • Ideal for:
      • those who want brilliance in a more modern setting.The radiant cut is for those who like both the classic square shape and the brilliance of a round cut. It’s a great option for someone who wants their diamond to shine brightly but still prefers a more contemporary, less conventional shape. This is a diverse choice for those who want a square or rectangular diamond but with more sparkle than the emerald cut provides.
  • Baguette Cut:
    • Popularity: Baguette diamonds are not as popular as classic shapes like round or princess cuts but have experienced a resurgence in recent years, particularly in vintage and art-deco-inspired designs. They are often used as accent stones in engagement rings, wedding bands, or alongside other diamond cuts.
    • Characteristics: The baguette cut is rectangular or occasionally square, with long, clean lines and step-cut facets that run parallel to the edges of the stone. The cut creates a sleek, geometric appearance, and the diamond typically has fewer facets than brilliant cuts, giving it a more subtle shine and a unique geometric shape. Its shape makes it ideal for adding a touch of elegance to jewelry without being too flashy.
      • They are available in both straight and tapered forms. Straight baguettes have equal dimensions, while tapered baguettes gradually narrow from one end to the other.
    • Ideal for:
        • those who appreciate understated eleganceand clean, sophisticated lines. Baguette diamonds are perfect for individuals looking for a sophisticated, minimalist, or vintage or art-deco-inspired If you prefer a more subtle sparkle rather than a diamond that dazzles with intense brilliance. Baguettes are also a great choice for someone looking for a unique, non-traditional design that still feels timeless.

Each of these cuts has its own set of advantages, and choosing the right one largely depends on personal style and the specific look you want in your engagement ring.

Ultimately, the right cut is the one that speaks to your personal style and what resonates with you the most. Whether you prefer something classic and understated or bold and contemporary, choosing a diamond cut that feels authentic to you ensures that the engagement ring will be a meaningful and lasting symbol of your unique relationship.

Our website consists of a sampling of in-stock and available merchandise. We recommend you visit our showroom in downtown Gulfport to shop the full selection of bridal and fashion jewelry, watches, accessories and gifts. Due to the large number of merchandise available from hundreds of designers, including our own designers in-house, we cannot provide a full list of items available on our site. Inventory is subject to change and may not currently be in stock, most can be ordered and available within a few days. In these cases, we do appreciate your understanding and patience.
*Price and availability subject to change.
*Diamond and Gemstone total carat weight represents the approximate carat weight of all diamonds or gemstones set unless noted otherwise. Diamond total weight may vary between 0.01 and 0.07 carats.