8 Of The Most Popular Engagement Ring Cuts

Deciding on an engagement ring is no small task. The magnitude of the occasion warrants careful consideration and deliberation. Before making your purchase, you ought to be well informed with regards the various engagement ring cuts available in the marketplace. An engagement ring cut refers not only to the shape of the gemstone set within it, but additionally to the stone’s ability to reflect light. Below are some of the more popular shapes in vogue today, as well as a little background information on each to help inform you during the all-important purchasing process.

The Marquise

Originally commissioned by King Louis XIV to reflect the smile of his mistress, the Marquise de Pompedour, the marquise gets the most out of its carat weight with brilliant light reflection. Its elongated and slender look works beautifully as a central stone in any ring.

The Oval

Oval stones are a contemporary alternative to the vintage round brilliant fashion. Oval is a fairly new stone shape that provides the same sparkle as the round but in a more elongated design.

The Baguette

Trim and wiry, the baguette is a unique gemstone design. Baguettes have a small, rectangular shape and slightly resemble a French bread stick or baguette from which they get their name. They are very popular amongst engagement ring cuts, and the style is also commonly used to accent diamond cluster rings.

The Pear

Often referred to as a teardrop cut because of its solitary point and rounded end, the pear shape is a brilliant stone that combines the oval and marquise shapes into a uniformly striking shape.

The Heart

A heart shaped stone is a perfect engagement ring cut since it derives its shape from the ultimate symbol of love. The heart shape is very complex to create and can only be completed in excellent fashion by the most skilled of craftsmen. The heart takes its formation first as a pear shape and then a tiny cleft is incised into the top of the stone to give the heart appearance. Although relatively uncommon because of the dexterity required to make a brilliant cut, heart shaped rings nonetheless make for a unique and romantic piece of jewellery.

The Asscher

The Asscher creates a stunning, distinctive gemstone that looks very similar to the emerald except that it is square and not rectangular. Its trimmed corners make the stone look essentially octagonal from an overhead view. While not the traditional choice for engagement rings, Asscher cuts have gained popularity and exposure due to the increasing number of celebrities sporting them.

The Radiant

Rings donning a radiant cut are renowned for their 70-plus facets and cropped corners. While they do come in a square shape, they more often appear in a rectangular one. Radiant stones are a happy medium between the emerald and round stones.

The Cushion

The cushion has been a popular engagement ring cut for more than a century. Also known as the pillow cut, the cushion exhibits rounded corners and larger facets for amplified sparkle and brilliance. Gemstones shaped in the cushion style can be square or rectangular in shape.

Frederick Holm is staff writer for of the F&L Designer Guides, compiled and written to help consumers choose a unique engagement ring design. From engagement ring bands to princess cuts and coloured stones, we have ideas and opinions covering all the options. Offering advice, tips and suggestions on how to choose that perfect ring, F&L will accompany you on every stage of your search to find the right designer.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.