Feeling overwhelmed by how many gorgeous engagement rings there are out there? We hear you. But the good news is, we’ve been staring at diamond engagement rings day in and day out for well over forty years (and we’re definitely not tired of them yet!) We’ve seen thousands of designs and trends over the years, and we’ve developed pretty good eyes for the styles that take our breath away over and over again. If you need a little inspiration to help you find your perfect engagement ring, look no further. Here are some of the absolute best styles for each most-popular diamond shape.
Rounds:
Year after year, more people choose round “brilliant” diamonds than any other shape.
A round brilliant diamond is cut to exacting standards that maximize sparkle. When cut correctly, 100 percent of the light that enters a round diamond will shine back out the top of that diamond (in a behavior called refraction). This is a statistic no other gem nor diamond shape can boast, meaning these diamonds sparkle beyond measure.
Since the shape of a round diamond is so classic, you can play a little more with the details. Choose a vintage-inspired mounting with a unique arrangement of side diamonds or fancy metal work (called filigree). Your diamond’s sparkle won’t be challenged by the details, and your ring will look and feel especially personal because of the accents.
Ovals:
Oval diamonds have soared in popularity in recent years… some search engines claim that “oval diamonds” account for 30 percent of all diamonds searched!
It’s not surprising… not only do oval diamonds lengthen the look of the ring finger, but the diamond’s table (the part you see from above once it’s mounted) is, on average, 10 percent larger on a one-carat oval diamond than it is on a one-carat round diamond, meaning ovals often look big for their size.
Ovals are a tricky cut, and to really sparkle without the dreaded “bowtie” affect they must be cut just right. Still, that is no way to shy away from these voluptuous beauties. If you’re enchanted by the rounded forms of an oval diamond, here are our favorite ways to mount these gorgeous stones:
Halos: Whether hidden, classic, or ballerina style, ovals look stunning framed.
Three-stones: Sure, you can pair ovals with ovals… but how amazing and modern do these trapezoidal baguette diamonds make this ring look? We love how they seem to point toward the dazzling oval center. Swoon.
Bevel/ Sideways Mountings: Ovals are classic, dating back to the 14th century. To give your oval a modern, unexpected twist, consider knocking it on its axis and framing it with a bevel instead of a halo. The classic shape becomes downright ethereal in this handling.
Asscher:
This is a pretty unique shape. It was a popular choice during the art deco jewelry movement of the 1920s, and then became a little neglected when rounded shapes (like ovals, pears, and cushions) started dominating the scene.
If you want a classic aesthetic with a unique, novel diamond, there really is no better choice than the Asscher.
Solitaire: Because this shape is still pretty rare, we suggest letting the diamond speak for itself by giving it a solitaire mounting. (Trust us, this incredible cut—which is perfect for showing off a diamond’s clarity—will make a statement, even in a simper mounting.)
Marquise:
This is another shape that had its heyday in the 1920s. However, unlike Asscher-cut diamonds, marquise have remained a slightly more popular choice throughout the decades. Like oval diamonds, marquise diamonds lengthen the look of the ring finger and flaunt a long table–meaning they also appear large for their size.
Diamond Details: Marquise are inherently elegant and statement-making. Their long, thin silhouette refuses to be overshadowed, meaning you can pair a marquise diamond with plenty of diamond accents, while keeping the emphasis on your center stone. Whether mounted tall or wide, don’t be shy about giving your marquise diamond plenty of sparkly playmates.
Emerald:
Emerald-cut diamonds, like Asscher cuts, are perfect for showing off “crystal-clear” stones. To make sure the ring has enough width and visual interest from above, look to three-stone and even five-stone mountings, halos, and diamond-encrusted bands that offer that little-something unexpected to showcase your timeless stone.
Cushion:
The cushion-cut diamond isn’t new, but you might think it is because of how popular it’s become in recent years. Truth be told, we’re obsessed with this shape too. A cushion-cut diamond flaunts pleasing, soft, pillowy edges while still seeming properly chunky on the finger. It’s a diamond that demands to be looked at—not square, not round, and entirely captivating for how it blends the two…
Extra thin bands: cushions are pleasingly chunky, which means they look amazing when their heft is displayed on an extra-thin, diamond-encrusted band.
Halos: Cushions love halos. (Think of the fancy edges on throw pillows. The same principle applies.)
Three Stone: The voluptuousness of a cushion cut diamond looks incredible in three-stone mountings where two other stones almost prop up the pillowy cushion.
Pear:
Pear-cut diamonds take some of their best attributes from both round brilliant and marquise diamonds. They elongate the finger and look large for their size like marquise, but they retain the smooth, plump edges and pleasing symmetry of a round diamond. A pear-cut diamond is an inherently feminine shape, which makes it look perfectly at home on a woman’s finger.
Three Stone: Play up the pear’s soft, smooth edges by mounting it between brilliant round diamonds in a three-stone design.
Chevron: Bring some wild bohemian flair to your pear shape diamond by accentuating its teardrop like curves in this chevron design.
Rose:
Rose-cut diamonds are different than all other diamond shapes in that they prioritize luster over sparkle. In other words, the way they play with light is totally different, and can cause this shape to look like its glowing from within.
Romantic details: Play up the romance of these lustrous, inviting stones by leaning into vintage and bohemian designs with uniquely detailed metal work.
Gold: Rose gold and yellow gold are also incredible at embellishing the warm, mystical glow of these diamonds.
All rings featured can be found at Wedding Day Diamonds, and as always, each is backed by an industry-leading lifetime warranty so the ring you love today is guaranteed to look just as beautiful for all your tomorrows.