How this guide helps you choose your diamond shape
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We talk sparkle, proportions, and how big each shape actually looks
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We lay out what each shape excels at (and its quirks), so there are no surprises.
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We explain how cutting style changes the whole mood — brilliant vs step cuts, chunky vs crushed ice and more.
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We cover the classics and the cool kids — from round and oval to hexagon, kite, and coffin.
Round, oval, emerald cut... and then there are hexagons, kites, coffins, and a whole world of diamond shapes you probably haven't met yet.
Choosing a diamond shape is one of the first big decisions when shopping for or designing an engagement ring. Are you drawn to a timeless round brilliant, an Art Deco emerald or Asscher cut, an elongated oval or marquise, or something completely unconventional?
We're covering all the diamond shapes, from the classics to the wonderfully unexpected, with the details that actually matter: sparkle, facets, proportions, face-up size, and what makes each one special.
Once you've found a few favorites, follow our in-depth shape guides for a closer look at how to choose the most beautiful diamond for your budget.
first, let's talk Cut vs shape
Ok, here’s where it gets confusing. While you'll see these terms used interchangeably, ‘cut’ and ‘shape’ actually mean completely different things. Diamond shape refers to the literal shape of the diamond (round, oval, hexagon), whereas cut refers to the attributes of a diamond's cut like proportion, facets, and polish. So, even though you'll see diamond shapes named princess cut and asscher cut, they're actually talking about diamond shape not cut.
Hint: read our blog on diamond cut for more on that topic!
Every diamond shape + how to choose
The most popular of all diamond shapes, round diamonds make up over 75% of all diamond purchases. And for good reason - perfectly symmetrical with 57-58 precise facets, round diamonds are the sparkliest cut of them all and truly the LBD of diamond shapes. If you're looking for a timeless diamond shape that can be set in infinite ways, a round brilliant diamond may be for you.
Learn more about round brilliant diamonds in our blog.
An ultra flattering, finger-elongating shape, oval cut diamonds are effortlessly chic and have recently become an engagement ring favorite. With a brilliant cutting style and the same 57-58 facets found on round diamonds, they're incredibly sparkly and shine bright in every light. Oval diamonds look bigger than their carat weight thanks to their elongated outline.
An oval diamond has the just-right balance between a timeless round diamond and a majestic marquise diamond.
Read our oval cut diamonds guide to learn more.
Pear shape diamonds (sometimes called teardrop diamonds) are shaped just like their fruity namesake except with a much pointier tip. A brilliant cut diamond, pear diamonds sparkle and shimmer shamelessly. Thanks to their elongated shape, they look bigger than their carat weight and slim the look of your finger. And the best part - they're noticeably less expensive than other diamond shapes, meaning you get a bigger diamond for your budget - yes please!
If you like versatility, a pear shaped diamond gives you options - wear it point side up or point side down for two different looks in one diamond shape.
Read our pear shaped diamond guide to learn more.
Emerald cut diamonds are step-cut diamonds - step cuts have long parallel facets with a hall of mirrors, never-ending staircase vibe. Most emerald cuts are usually rectangular but you can also find them in square. With an architectural art-deco energy, emerald cut diamonds have a soft candlelit shine and give off unexpected flashes of light vs the shine-all-the-time sparkle of a round diamond.
Emerald cut diamonds are less expensive than comparable round brilliant diamonds, yet look larger - wins all around I tell you.
Read our emerald cut diamonds guide to learn more.
An updated version of the old mine cut diamond, cushion cuts are a square or rectangular shape with rounded, pillowy edges. Cushion cuts have a romantic, vintage vibe we can't help but love.
Cushion cut diamonds are the fieriest diamond shape - giving off the most colored light of any diamond. And if you love variety, cushion cuts deliver - you can choose from square vs rectangular, chunky vs crushed ice, and standard vs modified cushion cuts.
A unique shape that's not often chosen, cushion cuts are less expensive, meaning you'll get a bigger diamond for your budget. Read our cushion cut diamonds guide to learn more.
A lesser-known yet incredibly aesthetic diamond shape, radiant cuts blend the can't-stop sparkle of a round diamond with the angular drama of an emerald cut. The classic radiant cutting style has 70 facets, creating a dazzling, disco-ball effect that shines from just about every angle.
Radiant cuts are often less expensive per carat than comparable round brilliants, and elongated radiants can give you impressive finger coverage. A little more diamond drama for your dollar? We're listening.
Read our radiant cut diamonds guide to learn more.
A modified brilliant cut, marquise diamonds are an incredibly unique and underrated shape that we can't get enough of. With their dramatic height, marquise diamonds combine the finger flattering magic of an oval diamond with the pointed peaks of a pear for a statement-making shape that's timeless yet head-turning.
Shaped like an eye with curved sides and pointed tips, marquise cuts can be set right side up for a more traditional take or east-west for an unexpected twist. Like a few of their other elongated friends, marquise diamonds are less expensive than the ever-popular round diamond, yet look the largest of all diamond shapes for the same carat weight.
Read our marquise cut diamonds guide to learn more!
Can't decide between an oval and a marquise? Meet the moval.
A hybrid of the two shapes, moval diamonds combine the soft curves of an oval with the elongated, slightly pointed silhouette of a marquise. The result is a dreamy, distinctive shape that feels both familiar and completely unexpected.
Movals come in different proportions and facet arrangements, so some look closer to an oval while others lean more marquise. Their elongated outline can also give them impressive finger coverage for their carat weight.
Love a diamond that doesn't quite fit into a category? This might be your shape.
Explore our moval cut diamond guide for the ins and outs.
A striking step cut, asccher cut diamonds are square with cropped corners. They have a kaleidoscope vibe with a seemingly endless staircase of stacked diamond squares. Beloved for their clean, geometric lines, asscher cuts embody the art deco, architectural aesthetic.
Like emerald cuts, asschers give off flashes of bright light in their signature spontaneous fashion - a shape with surprises, I tell you. Like most step cut diamonds, asscher cut diamonds show inclusions more, so you'll want to prioritize clarity with this diamond shape.
Read our asscher cut diamonds guide to learn more!
Princess cut diamonds gained their name for a reason - their perfectly square, pristine shape feels regal, timeless, and definitely throne-worthy. With 50 to 58 facets, princess cuts are one of sparkliest diamond shapes, coming in second only to round brilliant diamonds in both sparkle and popularity.
They're often less expensive per carat than round brilliants, although they don't necessarily look larger at the same weight.
And our favorite part: princess cuts give you options - set it square as expected or twist it for a kite-like vibe that'll keep them guessing.
Read our princess cut diamonds guide to learn more!
Usually used as accent stones, baguette diamonds are tall, slim step cut rectangles. Available in straight or tapered, the straight variety is perfectly rectangular, while the tapered type is slightly angled inward on one end.
Unlike emerald cuts which have cut corners, baguette diamonds have sharp edges on all four sides. With just 14 facets, baguettes are less outright sparkle and more candelit glow.
Like the half-profile of lady luna, a half moon diamond looks like a round diamond cut in half. With a straight edge on one side and curved side on the other, they can either be brilliant cut or step cut. A unique and unexpected shape, half moon diamonds are most often used as accent stones, but as you can see in this photo, they're just as stunning as the main event.
Shaped like your favorite childhood windy-day accessory, kite shaped diamonds look like a rhombus with straight sides and sharply pointed corners. Modern and unique, kite cuts are eye-catching without ever trying too hard - the quintessential cool girl stone.
One of our favorite side stone shapes, we also love them as the lead.
Named after the french word for shoulder, epaulettes have five sides and are shaped like the shoulder ornaments on military uniforms or royal regalia. With sharp edges and a distinctive shape, they make for stunning side stones on a three stone ring.
Six sided and oh-so striking, hexagon diamonds are a unique diamond choice with a modern, geometric energy that can't be matched. Available in both brilliant cut and step cut, choose between a blindingly bright sparkle or a kaleidoscope, hall-of-mirrors aesthetic.
One of our favorite stone shapes, we call them sexy hexys for a reason - we even devoted an entire pop-up design challenge to this distinctive shape.
With 8 sides and an almost-round outline, octagon diamonds are the edgy geometric cousins to round brilliant diamonds. With even more facets than a round diamond, octagon cuts are incredibly sparkly in bright and low light alike. Though they're more difficult to find, they're worth the search.
Shaped like a triangle with three equal sides, trillion diamonds can either have straight angular sides or softer rounded edges. Usually used as accent stones, trillions are equally exciting (maybe more so) when set as the star of the show. Thanks to their cut, trillion diamonds are larger than any other diamond shape of the same carat weight and are significantly less expensive than most. So if you're looking for a lesser-chosen, eye-catching option, keep trillion diamonds in mind.
The literal symbol of love, heart shaped diamonds are undeniably romantic and meaningful in engagement rings and love-yourself rings alike. A cousin to the pear shape, a heart shaped diamond has the same pointed bottom and rounded top with a single cleft carved into the curve to create a heart.
One of the most challenging cuts to create, heart shaped diamonds require an extremely skilled cutter to achieve that striking symmetry and perfectly defined dip.
Both vaguely coffin shaped, coffin cut diamonds and calf cut diamonds have six sides. The calf cut diamond is a slightly shorter, wider version of the coffin cut and both are available in step cut or brilliant cut. Both shapes are usually used as side stones, however you know we love an unexpected center stone shape over here.
How to Choose a Diamond Shape You'll Love
Falling for a diamond shape is the fun part. Finding the right diamond within that shape? That's where things get interesting.
Look beyond carat weight. Two diamonds can weigh exactly the same and look completely different in size. Elongated shapes like marquise, oval, and pear often have more finger coverage than round diamonds of the same weight. But proportions matter, and a beautifully cut diamond is always more compelling than one that simply looks big on paper.
Get to know your sparkle. Love bright, lively sparkle? Start with brilliant cuts like round, oval, or radiant. Prefer something a little more understated? Emerald and Asscher cuts trade that glittery effect for broad, dramatic flashes of light. And cushion cuts can have everything from chunky, vintage-inspired facets to a softer crushed-ice appearance.
Pay attention to the details that don't show up in a shape name. Ovals can have prominent bow ties, emerald cuts can reveal inclusions more readily, and elongated shapes can look surprisingly different depending on their proportions. These aren't reasons to avoid a shape. They're reasons to look closely at the individual diamond.
Think about the setting, too. Pointed shapes like pear, marquise, and princess cuts benefit from settings that protect their vulnerable corners. And if you're dreaming of something unusual, like a kite or hexagon, the setting can make just as much of a statement as the diamond itself.
The takeaway? Choose the shape that catches your eye, then get particular about the diamond. That's how you find one that's stunning for more than just its outline.
Your diamond shape questions answered
What are the different shapes of diamonds?
Diamond shapes go way beyond the classics. There's round brilliant, oval, pear, marquise, emerald, Asscher, cushion, radiant, princess, and heart, plus unconventional shapes like moval, kite, hexagon, coffin, shield, trillion, octagon, calf, epaulette, seminavette, baguette, and half moon. Each has its own silhouette, proportions, and personality. Scroll up to meet them all.
What's the difference between diamond shape and diamond cut?
Diamond shape is a diamond's outline, like round, oval, pear, or hexagon. Diamond cut describes how a diamond is fashioned, including its facets and proportions, which influence how it interacts with light. That's why two diamonds with the same shape can have completely different sparkle. Brilliant cuts tend to produce lively flashes of light, while step cuts create broader, more dramatic reflections. There's also rose cuts which have a softer sparkle but look larger, and portrait cut which are made to see through rather than sparkle.
What is the most popular diamond shape?
Round brilliant diamonds are the most popular diamond shape, and for good reason. With 57 or 58 facets designed to maximize brilliance, fire, and scintillation, they're known for their blinding sparkle and endless versatility. Their symmetrical shape works perfectly with just about every engagement ring setting.
What is the most unique diamond shape?
If you're after something truly unexpected, look beyond the traditional fancy shapes. Moval diamonds blend the soft curves of an oval with the elongated silhouette of a marquise, while hexagon, kite, coffin, shield, calf, and epaulette diamonds bring all kinds of unusual angles and proportions - we love a kite or shield shaped side stone for more visual interest.
What is the most inexpensive diamond shape?
Fancy-shaped diamonds like pear, marquise, cushion, and emerald cuts are often less expensive per carat than comparable round brilliants. But there's no single cheapest shape. Price also depends on carat weight, color, clarity, cut quality, and availability. Round brilliant diamonds typically cost more, but sometimes unusual shapes can cost more because they're harder to source.
Which diamond shape sparkles the most?
Round brilliant diamonds are generally considered the sparkliest, thanks to their 57 or 58 facets and proportions designed for exceptional light return. Oval, radiant, and princess cuts also deliver plenty of brilliance, while step cuts like emerald and Asscher create broader, more dramatic flashes of light. Cut quality matters more than facet count alone
Which diamond shape looks the biggest for its carat weight?
Marquise diamonds are among the largest-looking shapes for their carat weight, thanks to their long, narrow silhouette. Moval diamonds come in second, and oval and pear diamonds both also have serious finger coverage. For perspective, a typical one-carat round measures about 6.5 mm across, while a one-carat marquise might measure approximately 10 × 5 mm.
What diamond shape is best for someone with smaller fingers?
Elongated diamond shapes like oval, pear, and marquise can be especially flattering on smaller fingers, creating the illusion of extra length. But proportions matter, too. A slender oval will look quite different from a wider one, even at the same carat weight. And if you love a round, cushion, or geometric shape, there's no reason to rule it out based on finger size alone.
Do different diamond shapes require different care?
Yes! Diamond shapes with pointed tips or sharp corners, like pear, marquise, princess, and kite cuts, can be more vulnerable to chipping if those areas take a hard knock. Protective settings, including V-shaped prongs over pointed tips, can help. Regular prong checks are a good idea for every diamond shape, though, because even the hardest gemstone deserves a little TLC.
What shape diamond holds its value?
Round brilliant diamonds have high demand, which can help with resale value. But no diamond shape guarantees that a stone will hold its value. Cut quality, carat weight, color, clarity, market conditions, and the resale market all matter. Since diamonds often resell for less than their original retail price, we'd recommend choosing a shape you love rather than treating it as an investment.
Shop every diamond shape we have from Misfit Diamonds here and reach out anytime if you'd like us to source you a specific stone.