Once you’ve figured this one out you’re in ‘good shape’ on your diamond buying journey! Here at Rare Carat we see millions of searches. We’ve crunched the numbers on which diamond shapes are most in-demand:
And here’s our quick need-to-know on each one in order of popularity - with a rough estimate for the cost of a 1 carat H color VS1 clarity diamond by shape.
Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds
If you’re scared of going wrong, this is definitely a safe choice. Classic, traditional, and the most popular one by far. However, you could get the same size (carat weight) in a non-round for less.
1ct. Natural Round H VS1 starting at: $6,200
1ct. Lab Grown Round H VS1 starting at: $1400
Cushion Cut Diamonds
So this is definitely ‘in’ right now. Meghan Markle, Priyanka Chopra all got cushion diamonds in their engagement ring. It kind of looks like a round from far away, it’s still a classic shape, and is cheaper than the round for the same size.
1ct. Natural Cushion H VS1 starting at: $3,400
1ct. Lab Grown Cushion H VS1 starting at: $1,300
Oval Cut Diamonds
Think round but just a little stretched – and it’ll make her fingers look longer and more elegant.
1ct. Natural Oval H VS1 starting at: $4,675
1ct. Lab Grown Oval H VS1 starting at: $1,200
Princess Cut Diamonds
You have softer, rounder shapes like above – and more angular ones like this the princess cut. It comes with a different set of things to watch out for like symmetry and ‘chevrons’.
1ct. Natural Princess H VS1 starting at: $4,150
1ct. Lab Grown Princess H VS1 starting at: $1,500
Emerald Cut Diamonds
This Great Gatsby look shines in a totally different way – it’s more like a ‘hall of mirrors’ than your traditional sparkle. Beyoncé rocks a massive one that’s worth $5m, for what that’s worth.
1ct. Natural Emerald H VS1 starting at: $4,150
1ct. Lab Grown Emerald H VS1 starting at: $1,100
Radiant Cut Diamonds
Well, it’s like a princess cut and an emerald cut got together, and you know, had a baby.
1ct. Natural Radiant H VS1 starting at: $3,850
1ct. Lab Grown Radiant H VS1 starting at: $1,200
Pear Cut Diamonds
You’ve got wide ones, thin ones – and the rule to follow is the Goldilocks principle: find one that’s ‘just’ right in terms of length/width ratio. 1ct. Natural Pear H VS1 starting at: $5,100 1ct. Lab Grown Pear H VS1 starting at: $1,150
1ct. Natural Pear H VS1 starting at: $5,100
1ct. Lab Grown Pear H VS1 starting at: $1,150
Asscher Cut Diamonds
Totally like the Emerald’s younger sibling – just with cut corners so it’s like an octagon rather than a rectangle – again, very Great Gatsby.
1ct. Natural Asscher H VS1 starting at: $4,000
1ct. Lab Grown Asscher H VS1 starting at: $1,300
Marquise Cut Diamonds
OK, not the most popular but it is one of my favorites. You just need to be careful on getting the right one – watch out for the length/width ratio and ‘bowties’.
1ct. Natural Marquise H VS1 starting at: $4,500
1ct. Lab Grown Marquise H VS1 starting at: $1,550
Heart Cut Diamonds
Like all matters of the heart, this is a tricky one. It’s an awkward shape to get right when cutting but if you like the symbolism for it, go ahead.
1ct. Natural Heart H VS1 starting at: $3,575
1ct. Lab Grown Heart H VS1 starting at: $2,000
Get started searching for your favorite shape HERE. And, as always, our graduate gemologists are standing by over in the chat bubble to give you a hand searching or to answer any additional questions you may have about diamond shapes.