BEST AND MOST TRENDY DIAMOND SHAPES FOR 2022

It’s true that 2020 has been a wild one for everyone, but we are not letting that get in our way, are we? People are still getting married all over the globe, and that means that engagement rings and wedding bands are still on a high demand, and jewelry trends are still constantly evolving, which only goes to prove that diamonds really are forever. Love is the most powerful thing in the universe and pandemic or not, it persists and thrives even in these conditions!

So, with all that’s been going on, what are the latest trends in wedding and engagement jewelry, and what are the most popular diamond shapes for 2020? Let’s take a look!

Keep in mind, while these shapes are the top trends for diamonds this year, any shape you choose can still be beautiful when complimented with the right band.

ROUND BRILLIANT SHAPE 

This is a timeless classic, and if a classic look is what you are going for, then the round brilliant cut is perfect for you. Not really considered one of the fancy diamond cuts, this cut was designed in 1919 by Marcel Tolkowsky, a diamond cutter and engineer, for his PhD thesis. He designed it specifically to have the strongest possible sparkle, and it is now, by far, the world’s most popular diamond shape. Even though this shape doesn’t have the largest face-up area, its intense sparkle will make it look bigger than it actually is, and will surely impress in any engagement ring it is set on.

Also, round brilliant diamond stones are the only diamond shapes that have an actual cut grade. The only downside to this is that, of all diamond cuts, it is the most expensive, which is especially evident at the popular 1.0-ct mark. 80% of the world’s diamond production ends up being cut into round diamonds.  Supply and demand come into play, of course, however and recently we’ve seen an unusual spike in the prices of shapes like oval and pear shape.  Even the 80’s Classic Marquise shape is making a comeback.

PRINCESS SHAPE

One of the most brilliant diamond cuts in existence, and also one of the most popular shapes, the princess cut should be in any would-be diamond purchaser’s list for consideration, especially because it is significantly less expensive than the round brilliant cut. Usually square, this cut has a great ability to refract and reflect light, and can achieve great brilliance and fire. It also comes in a rectangular shape. And since it has four corners, it offers a strong square outline while still yielding nearly as much brilliance as the round cut.

The downside to this cut is that its four sharp corners are vulnerable to snag and chip, and must meticulously set in prongs in such a way that the prongs protect its edges.

OVAL SHAPE

Offering almost as much brilliance and fire as the round cut, an oval cut diamond is perfect for anyone who wants to wear a unique shape. Because of its elongated shape, the oval cut has a larger face-up size compared to other shapes of the same carat, and its rounded as opposed to pointed edges makes it extremely durable. It also makes your fingers look just a little longer, if that’s the kind of look you’re going for. Oval cuts also hide inclusions pretty well, so you can get an SI1 or SI2 diamond, and it would still be eye-clean.

The downside to the oval cut is that it tends to show color more than other cuts, so you might want to get an oval cut diamond with a color grade of H to avoid color. Oval cuts also tend to have a kind of bowtie pattern at the center of the stone. Some of these bowtie patterns tend to be more prominent in some stones, and less so in others. If you want to purchase an oval cut diamond that does not show this bowtie pattern, you’d have to do some extensive searching.

PEAR SHAPE

This cut is considered by many to be the prettiest cut of them all, and is both popular and unique at the same time. It’s a very attractive cut, and its price takes it even higher in most people’s list for considerations in their next diamond purchase, as it is usually around 10%-30% less expensive than the round cut. It also has an 8% larger face-up size than the round cut, another attribute that makes it even more attractive to possible buyers. Furthermore, it has a similar facet pattern to the round cut, and even the same number of facets at 58, giving it the ability to refract and reflect a tremendous amount of light and achieving a very high brilliance and a luminous, stunning sparkle. And much like the oval cut, the pear cut also hides inclusions very well.

It does, however, have a weak spot. The pear cut is shaped in such a way that on one side, it is perfectly round, and it then narrows to the other side towards a distinct, sharp point. That point needs to be protected by a prong as it is very susceptible to snag and chip, especially in a poorly-cut stone. Make sure to check the lab report for the diamond you’re buying so you can make sure that the tip has no inclusions, as it can severely weaken the stone. One more factor that can really affect the stone’s durability is its symmetry. Symmetry is a key factor to how the finished product will look, how it will reflect light to create brilliance and sparkle, and how durable it will be. Make sure to choose a really well-cut diamond if a pear shape is what you have in mind.

Another issue with the pear cut is that, much like the oval cut, it has a bowtie pattern that can be seen at the center of the stone, especially in a poorly-cut gem. It will take quite some searching to find a pear cut diamond that will minimize the prominence of this bowtie pattern.

HEART SHAPE

As the name suggests, this is where a diamond is cut into the shape of a heart. This shape is a very popular choice for ladies’ engagement rings because of the pretty cut, the femininity of the shape, and its sheer brilliance and elegance. To top that off, it’s also pretty romantic and usually costs somewhere between 13%-26% less than round cut diamonds. It might be a little smaller in terms of face-up area compared to rounds, but some consider this attribute to be a bonus point, as it apparently makes the gem look ‘cuter’.

But just like the pear cut, the heart shape diamond also requires a lot of protection for its tip, since it’s quite prone to snagging and chipping. Some people also consider its smaller face-up area to be more of a downside than a bonus, and it is harder to evaluate in smaller sizes, to it would be better to stick to the 1-ct mark and above.

There are plenty more cuts and shapes for diamonds out there like the Asscher, Marquise, Radiant, Emerald Shape, and Cushion. All the diamond shapes have their own beauty and grace. They are all evaluated based on the 4 C’s of diamond quality, can all be very beautiful, stunning, and impressive. Keep in mind that the round brilliant is the only diamond shape that has an actual cut grade.  Symmetry is crucial.  Look at the diamond and you will know if it is the one! What’s your favorite diamond cut and shape? Let us know, and we can help you make a custom ring based on your very own idea of the perfect ring!