What Are Shapes?: Picking the Perfect Center Stone

Imagine this. You’ve found your dream ring style and it looks as perfect as you have pictured it to be. One major decision factor is missing though, the center stone! There are so many cuts to choose from and it can be a little overwhelming. Gah! Luckily, we can walk you through some shape options through examples from our shop!

What Center Stone Shapes Can I Choose From?

Circles, squares, pears, etc...oh my! There are so many center stone shapes to choose from when it comes to jewelry. Some may appreciate classic cuts, while others may prefer to follow the modern trend. Let’s explore some options!

Round

One of the most classic cuts, the round stone, is also called the round brilliant cut. It is known to be the most brilliant cut based on the shape and cut. Because of the symmetry of the stone, the sparkle is dispersed evenly. Fun fact, this particular cut was once exclusively for diamonds only!

Pear

For our friends who enjoy both unique and modern style, the pear cut would be a great choice! This stone is essentially a hybrid of a marquise and an oval cut. The top part is tapered, which gives the stone its shape. For the pear cut stone, a popular question that is asked is which way you wear the point. Is it facing up or down? The ring can be worn with either the point facing you or towards your fingertip. This faceted cut with its feminine curves is flattering on all shapes and sizes. Now that’s winning!

Oval

Trailing not too far behind the pear cut stone, the oval cut is the second most popular cut for fancy shapes at our shop! Ovals are celebrated as both a traditional, yet modern shape. It is also known to be the most common shape for colored gemstones.

Cushion

The cushion cut stone is a variant of a rectangle and square stone and has rounded edges and corners. Fun fact, the cushion cut was designed around the pillow cushion. Yup, true fact! Cushion cuts contain many facets that show off the clarity of the stone.

Marquise

The marquise appears as a pointed oval stone. This stone is cut to reflect the most light and offer maximum sparkle and color. A marquise radiates a regal appearance that maximizes the visible surface of a diamond compared to the carat weight. Much like the oval cut, the marquise cut is an excellent choice if you want a cut that accentuates and elongates the finger. The longer shape will create a slimmer silhouette for your finger.

Emerald & Asscher

An emerald cut is shaped like a rectangle from the top view, with trimmed/angled corners. The key feature of the emerald cut is not the stone’s “extra” brilliance, but rather its bolder shape and more subtle sparkle from the step cuts. The step cut facets are longer and leaner versus the kite facets in the brilliant cuts. The step cut facets is what creates a more octagonal appearance that has an Art Deco inspired look from the twentieth century.

As for the asscher cut, it is essentially the square version of the emerald cut. The facets and style of the cutting is similar to the emerald cut. The only difference between the cuts is the shape! People select the asscher cut over the emerald cut if they prefer a more modern appeal!

Which Center Stone Shapes Are Trending?

As we all know, trends come and go. When it comes to your center stone, we suggest selecting a cut that you will love for years to come! At the moment, the trend we are seeing is the pear, oval, and cushion cut. From our experience, the trend of shapes is directly aligned with celebrity engagements. Katherine Schwarzenegger was proposed to with a massive cushion cut engagement ring from Chris Pratt, Hailey Baldwin received a huge oval cut ring from Justin Bieber, and Ariana Grande rocked a ginormous pear cut ring from then fiance, Pete Davidson.

How Do I Decide What Shape Looks Best on Me?

As we explain to our clients when it comes to engagement rings, it boils down to preference. We understand that this is a tough decision! If you would like to review these cuts in our gorgeous ring selections, you can schedule a consultation with us here at our shop. Helping you find your perfect ring and center stone is our highest priority!
We hope you enjoyed learning about the different center stone shapes! To stay up to date with our latest and greatest, head on over to our website, follow our socials, and subscribe to our newsletter. Until our next discussion, catch you next time Rosettes!