princess-cut diamond engagement ring - diamond shapesprincess-cut diamond engagement ring - diamond shapes

Different Diamond Shapes: Ultimate Guide with Size & Price Chart


Considering different diamond shapes for your engagement ring? Learn how shape affects size and cost and read their pros & cons to see what's best for you!

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HomeDiamond AdviceDiamond ShapesDifferent Diamond Shapes: Ultimate Guide with Size & Price Chart

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You may have heard that fancy shape diamonds are less expensive than rounds, but by how much? If you're considering different diamond cuts, understanding how diamond shapes impact price and face-up size may be an important consideration.

We've compiled information on average costs and sizes for different diamond shapes at different carat weights. Learn how the different fancy cuts compare, and the pros and cons of different diamond cuts.

A delicate rose gold setting for a 0.8-ct princess-cut diamond with pink tourmaline accents. © CustomMade. Used with permission.
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How Should We Compare Different Diamond Cuts?

There's a lot to take into consideration when comparing different diamond shapes. For this article, we focus on quantitative measures (cost, carat, face-up size) and practical considerations (color and clarity recommendations, potential for chipping).

However, the most important quality for you is whether the shape fits your style! Ultimately, the least expensive cut or the largest face-up area won't make you happy if you'd prefer a different diamond shape!

diamond shape - fancy cut diamonds diagram
These are the nine most popular fancy diamond shapes. Image by Paul Noillimrev. Licensed under CC By-SA 3.0.

How Diamond Shapes Affect Price

To look at this, we chose a few benchmark carat sizes: 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 1.2, 1.5, and 2.0 carats. For each size, we collected average prices for each diamond shape for G color, VS2 diamonds from Blue Nile's inventory. Round diamond averages are based on "Excellent" cut diamonds.

diamond shape - diamond price chart
Diamond price chart with the lowest price for each carat category shown in bold.

Round diamonds command premium pricing at all sizes. This is in part because we only considered "Excellent" cuts, while the fancy shape prices average over the entire range of cut quality. Still, the discount is significant. Fancy-cut diamonds have prices 10-43% lower than rounds!

There's no overarching pattern to the discount, however. The most expensive and least expensive fancy cuts change based on the carat weight that you're looking for!

Diamond Shape - Prices by Carat, G Color VS2
Round shape diamonds have the highest prices for all carat sizes.

This graph shows another interesting feature of diamond pricing: the bump in price for rounds at the 1.0-ct mark. While other shapes rise in value more steadily from 0.7 to 1.2 ct, round diamonds jump at 1.0 ct and have a less steep increase in pricing to 1.2 ct. This means that the discount for fancy diamond cuts at the 1.0-ct mark is larger.

We can look at this another way. For a diamond budget of about $7,000, what size (G color, VS2) diamond could you get? The round diamond would be about 1.0 ct, but you could get a fancy shape closer to 1.2 ct, or maybe even larger!

How Diamond Shapes Affect Face-Up Size

It's no secret that some fancy-shape diamonds appear larger than rounds. Oval, pear, emerald, and marquise cuts can appear larger because of their elongated shapes. Rectangular cushion, radiant, and princess cuts can have the same effect. Even square radiant, cushion, princess, and asscher cuts can appear larger than a round because their corner-to-corner length is larger than a round's diameter.

  • diamond shape - round-cut solitaire engagement ring
    Round
  • diamond shape - princess-cut solitaire engagement ring
    Princess
  • diamond shape - pear-cut solitaire engagement ring
    Pear
  • diamond shape - oval-cut solitaire engagement ring
    Oval
  • diamond shape - marquise-cut solitaire engagement ring
    Marquise
  • diamond shape - emerald-cut solitaire engagement ring
    Emerald
  • diamond shape - radiant-cut solitaire engagement ring
    Radiant
  • diamond shape - cushion-cut solitaire engagement ring
    Cushion
  • diamond shape - asscher-cut solitaire engagement ring
    Asscher
  • diamond shape - heart-cut solitaire engagement ring
    Heart

    These diamonds may seem to be different sizes, but they're all 1 ct and all set in a 1.5 mm band solitaire ring. © James Allen. Used with permission.

    However, that doesn't mean that a round diamond appears small. Despite their compact nature, well-cut round diamonds appear large because of their intense sparkle — something no fancy diamond cut can match.

    Well-proportioned diamonds should have similar measurements and face-up area (within ~5%) as those in these tables. However, elongated shapes have greater variability.

    • diamond shape - table of ideal measurements for different diamond shapes at different carat weight
    • diamond shape - table of approximate face-up area for well-proportioned cuts of different diamond shapes

      For face-up size, marquise diamonds are the clear winner, about 15% larger than rounds! Trillion, oval, and pear shapes also face-up large for their weight. The remaining shapes are smaller, with asscher-cut diamonds having the smallest face-up size.

      Let's take a closer look at the pros and cons of different diamond shapes.

      Round-Cut Diamonds

      Round diamond are timeless and the perfect fit for many styles. Make a similar ring. © James Allen. Used with permission.
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      Why We Love Round Diamonds

      Perfect for classic looks, the round brilliant diamond cut has been carefully engineered to produce the most sparkle. With a well-cut round diamond, the brilliance and dispersion will impress in any engagement ring. Better yet, even though this diamond shape won't have the largest face-up area, its intense sparkle will make it appear bigger!

      The Downsides

      Since rounds are the most popular diamond cuts, they're also the most expensive. This is especially noticeable at the popular 1.0-ct mark!

      Tips for Buying a Round Diamond on a Budget

      If the carat size isn't too important to you, try to buy something just under a popular weight. A 0.9-ct diamond will be much cheaper than a 1.0-ct, and will appear nearly the same size!

      Because of the brilliance, you can compromise on color and clarity. For clarity, SI1 and SI2 diamonds will still look great for an engagement ring. Color depends on the metal setting, but an I or J will still look good in white gold, as will a K color diamond in yellow or rose gold!

      Read our recommendations for round-shape diamonds.

      Princess-Cut Diamonds

      The gentle curves in this vintage-style engagement ring provide a counterpoint to the sharp edges of a princess-cut diamond. Make a similar ring. © James Allen. Used with permission.
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      Why We Love Princess Cuts

      The princess cut is one of the most brilliant diamond shapes and, compared to a round, comes at a 25-35% discount. Although princess cuts have a slightly smaller face-up size, their long diagonal measurement makes them seem larger. The most popular of the fancy shapes, princess cuts look great in any setting!

      The Downsides

      The sharp corners of a princess cut are prone to snag and chip. These should be protected by prongs. Furthermore, when buying a princess-cut diamond, make sure it has no inclusions near the edges. This can make them more vulnerable.

      Tips for Buying a Princess-Cut Diamond on a Budget

      Sticking to an SI1 clarity grade will get you a beautiful princess cut at a lower price. For white gold settings, an H or I color diamond will still appear white. For yellow or rose gold, a J color princess cut can still look great!

      Read our princess-cut diamond guide to learn more about this shape.

      Oval-Cut Diamonds

      Because of their shape, oval-cut diamonds still look large in popular split-shank styles. Check out more custom engagement rings. © CustomMade. Used with permission.
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      Why We Love Oval Diamonds

      Oval-cut diamonds still have most of the brilliance of rounds, but their elongated shape has a lengthening effect on the finger. They're also a popular choice for East-West settings. Better yet, they're 10-30% cheaper than rounds, with about 8% larger face-up area!

      The Downsides

      Any oval-cut gem will exhibit a bowtie pattern in the middle. Some are more prominent, and some less. If you're picky about finding an oval-cut diamond without a noticeable bowtie, you may have to do some searching.

      Tips for Buying Oval-Cut Diamonds on a Budget

      Oval-cuts hide inclusions well, so an SI1 or SI2 diamond will likely appear eye clean. However, they tend to show color. It's best to stick to a color grade of H to avoid color in your oval-cut diamond.

      Read our oval-cut diamond guide for more tips on this unique cut.

      Cushion-Cut Diamonds

      A classic look with plenty of sparkle, this cushion-cut diamond is set in a vintage-style halo engagement ring. © CustomMade. Used with permission.
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      Why We Love Cushions

      Cushion-cut diamonds show excellent fire! The angles in this cut are made for those flashes of colored light. Although one of the oldest diamond cuts, the cushion cut has seen a recent resurgence in popularity. Still, these diamonds are 25-42% cheaper than equivalent rounds!

      The Downsides

      Cushion-cut diamonds face-up about 8% smaller than equivalent rounds.

      Tips for Buying a Cushion-Cut Diamond on a Budget

      Cushion cuts aren't too forgiving with color, so it's best to stick to an H color or better. However, they hide inclusions well, so you can find SI1 and SI2 cushion-cut diamonds that still appear flawless!

      Read our cushion-cut diamond guide before you buy.

      Emerald-Cut Diamonds

      What's better than an emerald-cut diamond? Three emerald-cut diamonds! These subtle beauties look great in three-stone engagement rings. Make a similar ring. © James Allen. Used with permission.
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      Why We Love Emerald Cuts

      Instead of the usual brilliance and fire, emerald cuts are step cuts with a different kind of sparkle. These diamonds reflect light in a beautiful and subtle "hall of mirrors" effect. Although they're one of the rarer diamond shapes, emerald-cut diamonds can be 12-42% cheaper than rounds of the same carat weight.

      Because of their elongated shape, emerald-cut diamonds have a slimming effect on the finger. They're also a great choice for an understated East-West ring.

      The Downsides

      Because an emerald cut isn't a brilliant cut, you can easily see inclusions in emerald-cut diamonds. In addition, they have a face-up size about 5% smaller than rounds. They may appear even smaller because of their lack of brilliance.

      Tips for Buying an Emerald-Cut Diamond on a Budget

      An H color, VS2 clarity emerald-cut diamond will give you the most for your money. You can also look for shallower stones, since these will face-up larger. The angles in an emerald cut aren't as important to its beauty, so a shallow stone can still look great!

      Read our emerald-cut diamond guide to learn more about this mesmerizing diamond cut.

      Pear-Cut Diamonds

      Pear-shape diamonds look great in both simple and intricate ring styles. This nature-inspired ring shows the teardrop diamond held in vines. © CustomMade. Used with permission.
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      Why We Love Pear Shapes

      Not only do pear-shape diamonds have a unique and beautiful shape, their prices are also quite attractive! They face-up 8% larger than rounds and cost 10-30% less. Their elongated shape also makes them a great choice for trendy East-West engagement rings.

      The Downsides

      The tip of a tear-drop diamond is prone to snag and chip and must be carefully protected with prongs. Check the laboratory report to make sure the tip contains no inclusions, as this can weaken the gem.

      In addition, pear-cut diamonds exhibit a bowtie. It may take some searching to find a pear cut with a minimal bowtie.

      Tips for Buying a Pear-Shape Diamond on a Budget

      Similar to other brilliant diamond cuts, you'll find the best value in an H color pear with SI1 or SI2 clarity.

      Read our pear-shaped diamond guide to to help you choose the right diamond for you.

      Marquise-Cut Diamonds

      Marquise-cut diamonds lengthen the finger and look great in vintage styles. © CustomMade. Used with permission.
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      Why We Love Marquise Diamonds

      The elongated shape of a marquise cut makes the diamond look huge and your finger appear slimmer, too! Marquises have the largest face-up area of all diamond cuts — 15% larger than rounds. They also cost 10-25% less than round diamonds of the same carat, and look great set in East-West style engagement rings.

      The Downsides

      The tapered points of a marquise-cut diamond need to be protected by prongs to prevent chipping and snagging. Make sure these vulnerable tips have no inclusions.

      In addition, marquise-cut diamonds exhibit a bowtie. Searching for a diamond with minimal bowtie may take some time!

      Although symmetry is very important in a marquise-cut diamond, it may be difficult to judge. Look at the shape closely and ensure that it appears symmetrical.

      Tips for Buying a Marquise-Cut Diamond on a Budget

      Since marquise-cut diamonds hide inclusions well, an SI1 or SI2 clarity will give you an eye-clean diamond on a budget. An H color diamond will appear white when set in white gold, but an I or even J color can look great in yellow or rose gold.

      Read more about marquise cut quality to find the best diamond for your ring.

      Asscher-Cut Diamonds

      With subtle sparkle and geometric design, asscher-cut diamonds work well in both simple and intricate styles. Make a similar ring. © James Allen. Used with permission.
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      Why We Love Asscher-Cut Diamonds

      The mesmerizing windmill pattern of an asscher-cut diamond is great for a vintage, Art Deco look. With their octagonal outlines, they're perfect for geometrical styles. They also cost 19-43% less than equivalent rounds!

      The Downsides

      With 13% less face-up area than a round, an asscher-cut diamond shows the smallest face-up area of the fancy cuts.

      In addition, this step cut doesn't hide inclusions like a brilliant cut would.

      Tips for Buying an Asscher-Cut Diamond on a Budget

      As with emerald cuts, a VS2 clarity, H color asscher-cut diamond will give you the most for your budget. Again, shallower diamonds will have a greater face-up size, appearing larger for their weight without sacrificing beauty.

      Read our asscher-cut diamond guide to learn how to pick the perfect windmill.

      Heart-Cut Diamonds

      Though usually associated with delicate, romantic ring styles, this heart-shaped diamond is set in a feather-shaped, tattoo-inspired ring! © CustomMade. Used with permission.
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      Why We Love Heart Shapes

      Heart-shaped diamonds are romantic symbols and cost 13-26% less than rounds!

      The Downsides

      Heart-cut diamonds have a face-up area about 7% smaller than rounds.

      The tip of the heart is prone to snag and chip and should be protected by prongs.

      Evaluating the shape of hearts in smaller sizes is difficult, so it's best to stick to 1 ct and above.

      Tips for Buying a Heart-Shape Diamond on a Budget

      Like most brilliant cuts, SI1 and SI2 clarity grades should give you an eye-clean diamond. H color heart-shaped diamonds will still appear white and give you a discount compared to higher color grades.

      Read more about heart cut quality to find your favorite diamond.

      Radiant-Cut Diamonds

      Radiant-cut diamonds are bright and brilliant, perfect for anyone who loves sparkle. Make a similar ring. © James Allen. Used with permission.
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      Why We Love Radiant-Cut Diamonds

      Radiant cuts are one of the most brilliant cuts a diamond can have. This cut provides tons of sparkle, and the truncated corners make it more durable than a princess cut. Better yet, they can cost 20-39% less than round diamonds! If you go with an elongated radiant cut, it may also appear larger than a round.

      The Downsides

      Radiant-cut diamonds have a relatively small face-up size, about 4% smaller than rounds.

      Tips for Buying a Radiant-Cut Diamond on a Budget

      Radiant-cut diamonds hide inclusions well, so a clarity grade of SI1 or SI2 will still look beautiful! A color grade of H will give you the most for your money for a white gold setting, but you could drop down to an I color for rose gold or yellow gold.

      Read more about radiant cut quality to find the most brilliant stone.

      Trillion-Cut Diamonds

      Trillion-shaped diamonds don't fit everyone's style, but they do make unique and eye-catching center stones. This one is surrounded by a ruby halo on a delicate white gold band. © CustomMade. Used with permission.
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      Why We Love Trillions

      The unique geometry and excellent sparkle of trillions make these diamonds stand out. Though popular as side stones, a trillion center stone makes a bold statement. Better yet, their shallow cut makes them face-up 12% larger than rounds!

      The Downsides

      Due to their unusual shape, trillion-cut diamonds in large sizes are difficult to find, and their cut quality is difficult to judge. Furthermore, their corners are prone to snag and chip. Their settings should protect the corners.

      Tips for Buying a Trillion-Cut Diamond on a Budget

      While an SI clarity, H color trillion will give you the most for your budget, it may be difficult to find a trillion-shaped diamond with these narrow criteria. Work with an experienced jeweler to ensure you get a fair deal!

      Start a consultation for a custom trillion diamond engagement ring at CustomMade.

      Which Diamond Shape is Best?

      Round diamonds have the most brilliance and sparkle, but come at a premium in price. While fancy cuts are all heavily discounted relative to rounds, none have the same sparkle as a round brilliant. Furthermore, finding a well-cut diamond with a fancy shape can be difficult.

      Ultimately, the best diamond shape is the one you want most!

      Where Should I Buy a Fancy-Cut Diamond?

      Just like a round diamond, it's essential to closely review a fancy-cut diamond before you buy it. For any diamond shape, look for a diamond that's not off-color and avoid large inclusions near the center of the gem. Most importantly, look at how it performs! If you're spending thousands on a diamond engagement ring, you should be happy with its performance.

      Both James Allen and Blue Nile offer a wide selection of fancy diamond shapes, and you can see magnified, 360° videos of the thousands of stones in their databases. This lets you see each diamond's qualities and compare similar ones.

      James Allen also allows you to review your diamond with their experts — essential for assessing the cut quality of fancy diamond shapes! Furthermore, for those who want to create an engagement ring, James Allen has a very large selection of engagement ring styles.

      Blue Nile does have one big advantage for fancy shapes. They allow you to narrow your choices by the length-to-width ratio. If you're picky about the shape of the cut, this can be a huge timesaver!

      On the other hand, if you're not confident about judging the cut quality yourself, or if you just can't seem to find what you want, check out CustomMade. Their experienced jewelers will guide you to the diamond that's best for your style — and your budget!


      Addison Rice

      A geologist, environmental engineer and Caltech graduate, Addison’s interest in the mesmerizing and beautiful results of earth’s geological processes began in her elementary school’s environmental club. When she isn’t writing about gems and minerals, Addison spends winters studying ancient climates in Iceland and summers hiking the Colorado Rockies.

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