Design: Gemstone shapes and cuts
If you’re looking for the perfect engagement ring, you’ve probably come across a few different shapes of stones…it can be quite overwhelming when you’re presented with so many choices so we’ve broken it down. One of the biggest design choices you can make when it comes to creating your dream ring is choosing which shape stone you want.
A tray of various diamond shapes and carat weights
You may have heard it referred to as both shape or cut, but these two are actually very different things.
Shape
Shape refers to the actual outline of the stone, so shapes such as round, oval, square and heart. This doesn’t necessarily have any effect on the quality of diamond but a certain shape might be more desirable and therefore have a heftier price tag compared to other more obscure shapes. Certain shapes, such as half moons, are also more uncommon and even smaller stones can be quite pricey.
Cut
The cut of a diamond is part of the 4C’s and has more of an impact on the quality. The cut just refers to how well the stone is cut! Diamonds are cut in a certain way to maximise the amount of light that is bounced back out of the stone. if a stone is poorly cut, then you’ll see more dark parts or windows which is essentially where light is lost and you can see through. This is crucial to the stones appeal. You can also find different cutting styles for a specific shape such as brilliant and old cuts for round diamonds, both sparkle nicely when cut well.
When it comes to choosing the shape of your stone, there’s a few factors you want to think of. Certain shapes have a bigger “face up” size compared to others of the same weight. For example, a 1ct oval or marquise might appear larger than a 1ct square or round and that’s simply because it’s elongated. Certain shapes might suit your hands and fingers better than others, so it’s important to try them on. Some shapes can also be more at risk than others, such as squares and marquise because they have sharper corners that are more prone to chipping.
Round stones
Probably the most common shape for big and small stones. They are very wearable and versatile for pretty much any design or setting style. A guide price for a Petra quality half carat round diamond is around £2,100.
OVAL STONES
Ovals are really trendy right now and, similar to round stones, can look beautiful in lots of mountings such as solitaires and trilogies. They are also really easy to wear and can elongate the finger. A guide price for a Petra quality half carat oval diamond is around £2,100.
pear stones
Pear stones are also very popular and have a similar elongating effect to ovals. However, when setting these stones, it’s important to think about how to protect the point. A V shape claw shown above is a good option. A guide price for a Petra quality half carat pear diamond is around £1,900.
MARQUISE
Marquise stones, although still quite unusual, are becoming more popular, they lend themselves really nicely to alternative designs. It is really important to protect the two points as they are vulnerable. A guide price for a Petra quality half carat marquise diamond is around £2,600.
SQUARE
Square diamonds aren’t as popular as they once were but they look beautiful in contemporary settings and suit those who like clean lines and symmetry. There are four points on a square so they do require a bit more care. A guide price for a Petra quality half carat square diamond is around £1,700.
EMERALD
Emerald diamonds have been popular for a long time, they always look stunning in Art Deco inspired designs as well as more contemporary designs. It is important to get a high clarity diamond as they have more “windows”. A guide price for a Petra quality half carat emerald diamond is around £2,100.
smaller stones
Most shapes of diamonds can be found in smaller stones which can be set into the smaller details and accents. Unusual cuts like emeralds and pears are usually more costly than small round diamonds.
Ultimately, the best piece of advice we can give you when choosing your stones is to try on samples so you know what suits you, see the stones in person so you can look at the beauty and life rather than just the grade. And always go to a jeweller that you trust to guide you, educate you and be open and transparent about what you’re buying (and going to be wearing for the rest of your life!).
Sharing the Sparkle since 1979
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Established in 1979, Petra Jewellery is an independent family jewellers based in Basingstoke, run by mother/daughter duo Petra and Mitch. We make all our jewellery in the UK and source our stones from only the very best fair trade dealers in Hatton Garden. All Petra wedding rings come with a lifetime guarantee and free annual cleaning.
