Which engagement ring cut is the best

It is elegant and beautiful, particularly because it's recommended to aim for higher colours and clarities; there is no hiding when it comes to an emerald cut. The style of cutting is what we call step cut, it's more of a hall of mirror effect than the total internal reflection that comes from a round. Another of the softer shapes is the oval; by being slighter longer than the round but having similar sparkle it is a great choice to elongate the finger.

If you are looking for something even longer then the Marquise might just be the one for you. Carat for carat the marquise has the largest surface area of any diamond cut so it always looks incredible, from a 0. In we saw a rise in the popularity of the pear shape diamond; whether set into a solitaire design or with pave shoulders, it is always a winner.

The pear is such an elegant shape and it brings a degree of old-school glamour to your jewellery; with the addition of some millgraining it is modern-day vintage at it's best.

Since more of the stone shows from the top view, pear-shaped diamonds tend to appear larger than they are, so if size matters to you, this cut is a great choice. Since the pear cut has a pointed tip, these rings work best in a bezel or half-V setting, as they're prone to chipping. They also tend to show inclusions and can be less-than-brilliant if they aren't cut properly. The Asscher cut has been a favorite among the fashion-conscious crowd ever since Carrie Bradshaw modeled an Asscher cut during her brief betrothal to Aidan Shaw on Sex and the City.

Named after the jeweler who patented the design in , the Asscher cut features an octagonal shape with 58 large step facets. Popular during the Art Deco period, its uniquely symmetrical geometric design still maintains radiance and sparkle.

Since it doesn't have sharp edges, it's not prone to breakage, and it looks great in a variety of settings. This cut does, however, require you to invest in a high-quality diamond with lots of clarity, as it tends to show blemishes. An eternal symbol of love, heart cut stones aren't traditionally used as engagement rings—nor are they limited to Valentine's Day nuptials—but perhaps that's what makes them so special.

For the hopeless romantic, this contemporary cut boasts a feminine shape that looks great as a solitaire on a simple band or in a more elaborate setting. Since it's a somewhat complicated cut, you may end up paying more for the labor that goes into creating the symmetry and brilliance that makes a heart-shaped stone shine.

It's also regarded by some as a bit too trendy, so if you're looking for something undeniably timeless, this may not be the ring for you. Another s Art Deco-style cut, baguette diamonds feature a long, rectangular shape and 14 facets.

Pictured above between the two gold bands, baguette diamond bands are great for the bride-to-be who has no interest in a flashy center stone. They are, however, most commonly used as accent diamonds on many engagement rings, namely three-stone engagement rings. You can combine a large center stone with a baguette diamond on either side for a modern look.

With these stones, clarity is important due to its few facets, as is the precision of the cuts. Trillion-cut diamonds, originating in the Netherlands, are a popular choice for alternative brides who want a ring unlike any other. They have a triangular shape with either rounded or pointed edges and a shallow cut that makes them appear larger than they are. Trillion-cut stones are great as accents or as the main stone on a three-stone ring, but they also look great as solitaires.

Because of the sharp edges on most trillion-cut diamonds, they usually require a bezel or three-prong setting to avoid chipping.

Though they aren't as brilliant as other cuts, they do have an elegant shine, making them a great choice for brides seeking a middle-ground sparkler. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for Brides. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.

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I Accept Show Purposes. Brides Rings. In this section. Understanding the 4Cs. They aim for a more understated beauty — a beauty of internal transparence. As a measure of diamond quality, cut means the quality of the job the jewel cutter did when cutting the rough stone.

Did the cutter make the cuts symmetrical? Did they avoid chipping the diamond? And most important, does it all result in maximum brilliance, fire, and sparkle? Cut quality is the most important variable in how beautiful a diamond is, and in its light performance, and in its value. It can be even more important than the shape. Of course, cut quality and diamond cut shape work together in determining light performance of a diamond.

An Asscher Cut or a Emerald Cut, while beautiful for their transparency, can never hope to compete with a Round Brilliant Cut or Princess Cut when it comes to light performance. If you want a reliable system for choosing the best cut as a surprise, see below.

This assumes that the proposal is not a surprise. Click through each of the shapes offered in the sliders. See the green arrow in the image. When you click on the next one, the first one is deselected. Those flashes of fire are visible from across the room, so far away that a shape is not even discernible.

If fire and brilliance are as important to you as they are to most people, then you may likely want to focus on the first tier or possibly the second tier below. Round Brilliant Cut — Always the champion. Physics and decades of experience prove that no diamond cut can beat the Round Brilliant for light performance. If fire and brilliance are not the most important quality of a diamond for you, then simply page through the shapes looking for shapes that you both like.

One consideration for longer, more elegant fingers: Fingers that are long and elegant can benefit from a Marquise cut which emphasizes them. Keep a live list together for a few days, in a document you both can share.

Jot down your thoughts separately and together, whenever an idea or a feeling hits you. Within a few days, you both will have settled on a shape. You took the time to do it right, with a system, and with thought. If choosing the diamond cut shape is all up to you, because the proposal is a secret, then you have a huge responsibility.

But you can meet that responsibility systematically, and make the right choice. Imaginatively get into her head. My opinion is that you should not. This is a decision by you, for you both. You appreciate tradition and things that withstand the test of time. Elegance is your middle name. Your closet is an expertly edited collection of modern staples and investment pieces that are simply timeless.

Oscar Heyman platinum diamond ring, price upon request, oscarheyman. Edward Avedis "Rochelle" ring with classic halo ring with round brilliant cut diamonds in a shared prong setting, price upon request, edwardavedis. Boasting a large, glassy table that's the top facet of the ring and step-cut facets, an emerald cut is ideal for showing off diamonds with a high grade of clarity. Plus, the lean rectangular shape elongates the hand for an ultra-flattering appearance. Jessica McCormack three stone diamond emerald cut and kite engagement ring in 18K white gold, price upon request, jessicamccormack.

You're drawn to things that are modern, glamorous, and elegant—but not over-the-top. You pay attention to detail and are drawn to things that are exquisitely crafted and high quality. David Yurman "DY Delaunay" faceted emerald engagement ring in 18K yellow gold, price upon request, davidyurman. Harry Winston emerald-cut diamond solitaire with tapered diamond baguettes in platinum, price upon request, harrywinston.