From a technical perspective, the cut of a diamond can affect the amount of light it reflects (i.e. how sparkly it is), what type of setting you’ll need, and how much you’ll likely end up spending. Beyond that, there’s aesthetics and style to consider; the shape of your engagement ring says a lot about your personal style.Are you a classicist who is drawn to traditional round brilliant cut stones, or a daring trendsetter who wants something unique and one-of-a-kind? We’re breaking down the basics of each cut and outlining the bridal style it’s best suited to–consider this your definitive guide to the engagement ring cuts every bride-to-be should know.
Round Brilliant
Round brilliant is by far the most popular shape among women. The sparkling cut boasts a standard 58 facets for maximum reflection of light. One stare at its brilliance (no pun intended ) and it’s clear why this style is so iconic.
What It Says About You: You are a classic soul who appreciates 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 will never look dated or out of style.
Celebrity Match: Miranda Kerr, Amy Adams, Emily Blunt, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Gisele Bündchen, Natalie Portman, Michelle Obama
Related Article: 32 Emerald Engagement Rings To Envy
Emerald
Boasting a large, glassy table 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.
What It Says About You: Emerald-cut lovers are all about understated luxury. 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.
Celebrity Match: Beyoncé, Amal Clooney, Sarah Jessica Parker, Anne Hathaway, Angelina Jolie, Mariah Carey, Kate Hudson, Grace Kelly
Cushion
Cushion cuts feature softened corners and large facets for extra sparkle—which means it’s a cut better suited to larger stones. This style has a distinctive vintage charm, but put it in a sleek setting and it feels instantly updated.
What It Says About You: You are a romantic at heart. You have a sense of nostalgia for tradition and old-world elegance, but a flair for the glamorous. You incorporate such elements into your style with a modern twist that keeps things feeling fresh. You’ll probably wear lace on your wedding day, but you’ll opt for a version in a cool, sheer white instead of antiqued ivory. You may add a dramatic veil, but you’ll wear your hair sleek and down instead of a stuffy updo
Celebrity Match: Kim Kardashian, Ciara, Miley Cyrus, Jennifer Garner, Jessica Biel, Sofia Vergara, Chrissy Teigen
Asscher
Developed in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers in Holland, the Asscher cut is often called a “square emerald cut” for it’s cropped corners and square shape. One of the most famous Asscher cut diamonds is the 33.19-carat Krupp Diamond, given to Elizabeth Taylor by her husband Richard Burton in 1968.
What It Says About You: You have an appreciation for the history behind the classics, and appreciate subtle infusions of tradition. You have an Old World elegance about you that those who know you best find endearing and undeniably elegant. You’ll have a show-stopping look for your wedding day, but one that is more about sophistication and style than sex appeal.
Celebrity Match: Elizabeth Taylor, Nicky Hilton, Jessica Alba, Pippa Middleton, Gwyneth Paltrow
Oval
The oval cut with its even, perfectly symmetrical design and elongated shapes flatters any hand, giving the illusion of length.
What It Says About You: You’re not afraid of being a bit over-the-top but are also a hopeless romantic with a hint of edge. You want to feel like a princess on your wedding day–but not in the conventional sense. You might wear a ball gown, the color pink or a tiara for dramatic effect–but you’re mature enough to know when you’re going overboard. Your look will feel pulled together, dreamy and you’ll most likely have multiple looks.
Celebrity Match: Blake Lively, Kate Middleton, Behati Prinsloo, Julianne Hough, Jenna Dewan Tatum, Kate Moss
Related Article: 31 Amazing Celebrity Engagement Rings And Where To Find Their Look-Alikes
Pear
A cross between a Marquise and oval cut, this sparkling teardrop is an elegant and flattering option. Plus, it’s unique shape makes smaller carat stones look larger than they actually are.
What It Says About You: You’re down to take a risk–but not at the expense of losing all sense of tradition. This nostalgic style points to your ability to wear vintage well, so you might just have a designer dress from decades past that only you could pull off. Your wedding jewelry will mix metals or be infused with color and your wedding band will be equally as exciting.
Celebrity Match: Victoria Beckham, Jackie Kennedy, Margot Robbie, Zoe Saldana, FKA Twigs, Mia Farrow
Princess
Traditionally square-shaped with pointed, cut corners, the princess cut gives major sparkle with a combination of step and brilliant-cut facets.
What It Says About You: Traditional, yes. But you also have another, more bohemian side to you where you like to mix in rose golds, subtle blush colors and flowers in your hair.
Celebrity Match: Kate Bosworth
Marquise
Inspired by the smile of the Marquise de Pompadour, the elongated marquise cut diamond with pointed ends was commissioned by Louis XIV to match it. The elongated cut on both sides makes hands look long and lean, and its exaggerated shape requires wedding bands to sit underneath or in perfect compliment to it–this cut marches to the beat of its own drum, as do you.
What It Says About You: You’re a risk-taker. You care little about what people think–with few exceptions. Your fiancé is one of those exceptions, naturally, and he gets it; you aren’t looking to feel like a royal or a starlet on the day of–you just want to feel like yourself. Your wedding dress-up will be on your terms, not your mother or future mother-in-law’s. There’s a good chance your bridesmaids will be in black or white –that is, if you are having bridesmaids at all…
Celebrity Match: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Victoria Beckham, Portia de Rossi
Radiant
Combining the elegance of the emerald shape with the brilliance of the round, the 70 facets of a radiant cut diamond maximize the effect of its color refraction.
What It Says About You: You like bling, plain and simple. You also like quality–and choosing this stone cut means you know your stuff.
Celebrity Match: Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore, Megan Fox, Khloé Kardashian
Baguette
Like an emerald-cut, baguette cut diamonds have step cuts, which look like steps in rather than corners or triangular facets. The cut overall is more minimal and linear in look and feel and often lends itself well to being paired with other stone cuts, or with others of its kind.
What It Says About You: Deep down, you’re a minimalist–and you aren’t sure you really care about the pomp and circumstance of an engagement ring. You like subtle sparkle, and pieces that stack well with other rings that you own. Your engagement ring will likely be one in a series of sentimental rings you wear–it should live well with your wedding band, heirlooms and potentially, your future push presents.
Celebrity Match: Kylie Minogue, Marilyn Monroe
Related Article: This Is The Most Popular Engagement Ring On Pinterest
Heart
This modified round brilliant cut stone is all about symmetry–ensuring that both sides of the shape are perfectly even. An undeniable symbol of love, this cut is possibly the hardest to wear well. If it doesn’t perfectly suite the personality of the bride, it stands to look…well, tacky.
What It Says About You: Your style is ballsy, whimsical, cheeky and all your own. You’ve thought about your wedding and your newlywed home like your version of Barbie’s dream house. You love Old Hollywood movies and might write and/or listen to love songs when thinking about your fiancé and your future life together–but you possess a little hint of edge that allows you not to take yourself too seriously. You have a flair for the theatrical and the glamorous.
Celebrity Match: Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj
Trillion
A triangular shape comprised of three perfectly equal sides and anywhere from 31 to 50 facets, this diamond works as both a solitaire and an accent stone. Created in the birthplace of all things sleek, the Netherlands, this cut has an inherent edge–and the ability to look slightly larger than a round cut of the same carat weight. Keep in mind that if you’re after size, this cut may not lend itself to the level of brilliance as a round or radiant cut might.
What It Says About You: You’re modern and love clean lines, minimalism, modern art and neutrals. You might be more inclined than others to dabble in a yellow gold band or an adventurous setting.
Celebrity Match: Cameron Diaz
Rose
This cut features a flat bottom with a dome-shaped crown, appearing to rise up from its base into a single apex. Named after a rose bud, which it was thought to resemble, this cut is far less brilliant, with a maximum of 24 facets. The cut is most common in vintage or vintage-inspired pieces–it dates back to the 1500’s and was most popular during the Georgian and Victorian eras.
What It Says About You: You’re an old soul, incredibly feminine and have a naturally warm, maternal instinct. You love nature and all things organic in feel–and are likely having an outdoor wedding that’s incredibly flower-heavy in its decor. You have a natural sensuality to you as well–you don’t have to try too hard for those around you to be drawn to you. You’re far from being a show-off; you’re more than willing to share the spotlight, but the limelight tends to find you naturally from time to time.
Celebrity Match: Camila Alves
Alternative
Be it a hexagonal, pentagonal, calf, half moon or other diamond cut–you aren’t one to select your diamond (or colored stone’s) cut from a conventional guide. With the options endless, this cut calls to the bride who wants to choose whether she’ll set her unconventionally cut stone in an equally unexpected setting. These cuts lend themselves well to cluster of stones, a smaller center stone and a style that toys with metal, color and shape.
What It Says About You: You’re doing things your own way, and nobody would expect otherwise. Colored center stones, mixed metals, atypical settings and styles that experiment with shape and scale are more your speed–and your dress, beauty look and decor for your wedding day will be no different. Expect to gravitate towards capes, chokers, bridal mules and flats and anything that walks the fine line between bridal and ready-to-wear when shopping for the day of. Odds are, you’ll be buying your gown (or having it made for you) outside of a bridal salon. Riding with the status quo is not your style.
Celebrity Match: Solange Knowles, Mary-Kate Olsen, Alexis Bledel
From: Harper’s BAZAAR US
