The shape of a gemstone is determined by the conditions it was exposed to as it developed, as well as its natural crystal structure. Gem cutters will take these natural shapes and form them into more precise shapes that enhance the stones’ features and make it possible to mount them securely. Diamond shapes have been developed over time, and continue to evolve to meet new techniques, trends, and tastes.
Why is diamond shape so important?
The diamond’s shape is technically the most important factor affecting the diamond’s price, even more than color or clarity. Round diamonds are the most popular today, which is one reason why they are also one of the most expensive shapes. Fancy-shaped diamonds such as the princess, oval, cushion, emerald, pear, marquise, Asscher, heart, and trillion are less popular and tend to be considerably less expensive than round diamonds.
Another reason that round diamond shapes are more expensive is that they require less of the rough diamond. For example, a princess cut diamond generally uses about 80% of the rough diamond’s carat weight so only 20% of the stone is lost during cutting. In contrast, a round diamond only uses about 40% of the original stone, so about 60% of the rough diamond is lost and this material cannot be used for other diamonds.
There are also dozens of diamond shapes to choose from, but the most popular ones are pictured below. We will examine each of these shapes up close.
Loose Diamond Stone Shape Options
