2025 Diamond Shapes Guide | The 4Cs Education

If you've started to look at diamonds you're already aware there are a wide variety of cuts and shapes. The next natural step in answering the question, "which diamond shape to buy" is to narrow down which cut is right for you. Once you’ve figured that out you’ll be ready to continue your diamond buying journey and start thinking about things like carat size and clarity.

Here at Rare Carat we've seen millions of searches and crunched the numbers on which diamond shapes are most in-demand:

Here’s our quick need-to-know guide on each cut in order of popularity with a rough estimate for the cost of an excellent cut 1 carat, H color, VS1 clarity diamond by shape.

Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds

The Round Brilliant Cut is the most popular cut by far made popular by its classic and timeless design. If budget is a major consideration you can usually get the same size (carat weight) stone in other cuts for less money. Especially if you're looking for a natural diamond.

• 1ct. Natural Round H VS1 starting at: $2,700
• 1ct. Lab Grown Round H VS1 starting at: $600

Read more about round brilliant shaped cuts here

Cushion Cut Diamonds

Cushion cuts are gaining in popularity so much so that Meghan Markle and Priyanka Chopra both got cushion diamonds on their engagement rings. Cushion cut diamonds look similar to round cuts from far away but close up the distinctive slightly squared shape becomes apparent. This is a great cut for those who do not want a fully symmetrical diamond.

• 1ct. Natural Cushion H VS1 starting at: $1,700
• 1ct. Lab Grown Cushion H VS1 starting at: $6,00

Read more about cushion shaped cuts here

Oval Cut Diamonds

The oval cut is another great choice in the category of rounded diamonds and adds a bit more length to the diamond to give it a slimmer and sleeker look. This design can make make a finger look longer and more elegant.

• 1ct. Natural Oval H VS1 starting at: $2,400
• 1ct. Lab Grown Oval H VS1 starting at: $650

Read more about oval shaped cuts here

Princess Cut Diamonds

With the princess cut diamond we move fully out of the category of round cut diamonds into a more angular design. These cuts come with a different set of factors to watch out for like symmetry and ‘chevrons’.

• 1ct. Natural Princess H VS1 starting at: $1,900
• 1ct. Lab Grown Princess H VS1 starting at: $650

Read more about princess shaped cuts here

Emerald Cut Diamonds

Emerald cuts have a distinctive rectangular design that can be set classically with the longer side of the diamond running up and down the finger or can be set in an east-west style so that the long side of the diamond is turned sideways. Beyoncé opted for a $5m emerald cut diamond.

• 1ct. Natural Emerald H VS1 starting at: $2,300
• 1ct. Lab Grown Emerald H VS1 starting at: $600

Read more about emerald shaped cuts here

Radiant Cut Diamonds

If you combined a princess cut and an emerald cut you might arrive at a radiant cut diamond. Radiant cuts are not quite as rectangular as an emerald cut resulting in a slightly wider and more balanced look.

• 1ct. Natural Radiant H VS1 starting at: $2,300
• 1ct. Lab Grown Radiant H VS1 starting at: $600

Read more about radiant shaped cuts here

Pear Cut Diamonds

These have more variability in style than some of the other more classic cuts. Pear cut diamonds can come in wider, thinner, taller, and shorter shapes with a range of length-to-width ratios.

• 1ct. Natural Pear H VS1 starting at: $2,900
• 1ct. Lab Grown Pear H VS1 starting at: $600

Read more about pear shaped cuts here

Asscher Cut Diamonds

Very similar to an emerald cut, Asscher cut diamonds have cropped corners so its more like an octagon with eight distinctive sides than it is a rectangle.

• 1ct. Natural Asscher H VS1 starting at: $2,100
• 1ct. Lab Grown Asscher H VS1 starting at: $680

Read more about asscher shaped cuts here

Marquise Cut Diamonds

These are a less popular cut but they're one of my personal favorites. If you opt for a marquise cut be careful when selecting the specific diamond you want. You need to watch out for the length-to-width ratio and ‘bowties’ which can cause visual shadows in the gemstone and diminish its sparkle.

• 1ct. Natural Marquise H VS1 starting at: $4,100
• 1ct. Lab Grown Marquise H VS1 starting at: $625

Read more about marquise shaped cuts here

Heart Cut Diamonds

Like all matters of the heart, this is a tricky one. It’s an awkward shape to get right when cutting but if you like the symbolism for it, go ahead.

• 1ct. Natural Heart H VS1 starting at: $2,800
• 1ct. Lab Grown Heart H VS1 starting at: $700

Read more about heart shaped cuts here

What's the best cut grade for the shape? Rare Carat Ideal! Check it out here

Looking for a deal? Check out all of our promos here

Get started searching for your favorite diamond shapes. As always, our certified diamond experts are standing by over in the chat bubble to give you a hand searching or to answer any additional questions you may have about diamond shapes.