When it comes to shopping for diamonds, looking for the right ring to propose to someone with can be challenging. From the elegant oval solitaire engagement ring to the lavish princess cut, no matter the style you choose, you have to factor in everything from the size to the clarity to make sure it’s truly a match made in heaven. And with the majority of women nowadays wanting bigger engagement ring stones, it can be a little hard to know which diamond shape is truly the best choice in terms of quality, size, and clarity. But don’t worry, that’s where we come in.
In this article, we’re going to go over a few of the most popular diamond shapes on the market to determine which one is the best for your bride-to-be and compare and contrast their size, shape, and clarity to give you the best chance at finding the one. Let’s get started.
1. Round Cut Diamond
Starting off, the round cut is the most popular cut for an engagement ring and is rich in elegant frost. With a circular shape that features 58 facets, the round cut carries with it a brilliance unlike any other and is one of the most sought-after rings for it.
When it comes to their shape, round-cut diamonds tend to have a more shallow cut than other stones. This is what gives round cut rings an unparalleled brilliance and ultimately makes them appear bigger. The round halo engagement ring setting is a perfect example of this.
The only downside to this impressive level of clarity, size, and brilliance is that round-cut diamonds are the most expensive cuts in comparison with other diamond cuts and can cost a lot for just a small size. If you’re on a budget, this is definitely something to keep in mind when making your choice.
2. The Princess Cut
Next, the princess cut is the second most popular shape for diamond rings. This elegant ring features a four-sided pyramid shape that mimics the natural shape of the diamond itself. With a complex look and a classic flair, these diamonds are cheaper than round cuts and actually feature the same number of facets as the round cut. However, they only refract around 70% of light, while a round diamond refracts around 90%, which, aside from their shape, is the biggest difference between the two.
Now, when it comes to their shape, the princess cut certainly appears larger than the round because of their larger tables. However, the round cut is actually larger than the princess cut and often plays a trick on the eyes. This, however, makes the princess cut much more affordable than the round cut. Not to mention, this means you can also upgrade your princess to a larger size for less money.
3. Oval-Cut Diamond
And finally, the oval-cut is another favorite amongst brides-to-be. With a longer shape than a round-cut, this beautiful diamond cut naturally makes your fingers appear longer and slimmer. And while the elongated shape looks larger to the naked eye, they aren’t as perfect in their clarity, which is what makes a round diamond far more expensive. However, it doesn’t make the oval diamond any less beautiful.
In fact, because of this, choosing one of the oval engagement rings can allow you to save money and still give your partner a large ring. An excellent choice for this, in our opinion, would be an oval solitaire engagement ring. You can even enhance this ring with a 3 stone setting to truly make it pop.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, there are many diamonds out there that people would argue as the biggest. If you look beyond the optical illusion many rings give, however, the round cut is the largest diamond shape cut. However, bigger doesn’t always mean better, and there are many other factors to consider when buying a diamond. Overall, we hope that this quick guide has given you insight into a few of the different factors to consider when buying a diamond and how you can choose the right one for your partner.
