Diamond Shape Guide

A common mistake people make when shopping for diamonds is confusing shape with cut. Shape refers to the actual shape/outline of the gemstone (like round, oval, or square), while cut refers to how well the stone has been crafted to maximize its brilliance.

I know, I literally just used "shape" to define "shape"—how creative of me. But I want to keep this as simple as possible, especially for those just starting to learn about diamonds.
Diamonds (and other gemstones) come in a variety of shapes, but some are more commonly used than others—especially in engagement rings. While trends come and go, the most frequently chosen shapes for engagement rings are:

Unlike Round diamonds, shapes like Emerald, Radiant, Cushion, Pear, Marquise, and Oval can have varying length-to-width ratios, which impact how the stone appears when worn. The image to the right shows how different ratios affect Emerald-cut diamonds, but the same idea applies to other elongated shapes:

Lower ratios (under 1.3) make the diamond appear wider and more square-like.
Higher ratios (above 1.5) create a more elongated, slender look.

There’s no "perfect" ratio—it all comes down to personal preference and what looks best on your hand!

Certain shapes, like Oval, Pear, and Marquise, can sometimes have a visible dark area across the center of the stone—this is called the bow-tie effect. It happens due to the way light reflects inside the diamond, and while some bow-ties are subtle, others can be more noticeable.

One important thing to note: GIA certificates don’t mention characteristics like bow-ties or ratios. Since every diamond is hand-cut, subtle differences in shape can make a big impact on how it looks. That’s why we take this process seriously—hand-selecting each stone to make sure it meets our standards before crafting it into a piece of jewelry.

No matter what shape you choose, we’re here to help you find the best stone possible. You’re in safe hands.

- Manav Vaghashiya