Celebrities who decided on an emerald cut diamond for their engagement ring include Beyoncé, Amal Clooney, Jennifer Lawrence, Kristen Bell and Anne Hathaway. Oscar-winning actress and Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly, was also known for her iconic 10.48 carat emerald cut diamond engagement ring.
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Asscher cut engagement rings is renowned for its distinctive square shape with cropped corners and step-like facets, creating a mesmerising hall-of-mirrors effect. Originally developed in the early 20th century, this vintage-inspired cut offers a unique blend of classic elegance and modern sophistication. Its deep pavilion and high crown enhance the diamond's clarity and brilliance, making it a stunning choice for those seeking a timeless and eye-catching design.
The Asscher cut is perfect for those who appreciate Art Deco aesthetics and a ring that stands out with its architectural beauty. Several celebrities have chosen this distinctive cut, among them are Elizabeth Hurley, Zooey Deschanel, Nicky Hilton, Jessica Alba, Gwyneth Paltrow and Pippa Middleton.
Some celebrities who’ve chosen the bold marquise cut diamond for their engagement ring include Portia de Rossi, Victoria Beckham, Ashlee Simpson Ross and Catherine Zeta-Jones. Jacqueline Kennedy also had a near-flawless 40.42 carat marquise cut diamond engagement ring, though she only ever wore it twice.
The most popular engagement ring shape in 2024 was the round cut, and it has remained the most popular shape for several decades – however, shapes like ovals and emeralds were increasingly approaching the top spot. Known for its timeless elegance and unmatched brilliance, the round cut diamond continues to be the preferred choice for many couples.
This classic shape's popularity stems from its ability to maximise light reflection, creating unparalleled sparkle. Its versatile design suits various settings and styles, making it an enduring favourite. The round cut's symmetry and brilliance not only symbolise everlasting love but also offer a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, appealing to a wide range of tastes. At Queensmith, our round cut engagement rings are crafted to the highest standards, ensuring each piece is a true reflection of your unique love story.
As predicted by our experts, solitaire engagement rings continued to dominate as the top choice for 2024 with shapes like round, oval and emerald cut gaining significant popularity. Comprising 47% of Queensmith's sales in 2024, the solitaire style has proven its timeless elegance. The rise in popularity can be attributed in part to the growing accessibility of lab grown diamonds which accounted for around 80% of all Queensmith’s diamond sales in 2024.
Choosing the right engagement ring shape for your partner is a meaningful and personal decision. Each shape has its unique characteristics and symbolism, reflecting different styles and personalities. This is how to select the perfect engagement ring shape that aligns with your partner’s preferences and captures the essence of your relationship.
Different diamond shapes come at varying price points. When considering the size of a one carat diamond, it’s important to realise that size in millimetres often differs depending on the cut. For example, a round 1 carat diamond size is usually around 6.34mm, while a cushion diamond is slightly narrower at 5.7mm.
These will make some differences in terms of the price, so it's essential to consider this when setting a budget for your engagement ring. If you want to understand more about the diamond carats and differences in cut size, we have a guide about one carat diamond rings.
The meaning of the ring will be impacted by the meaning of each shape cut. When choosing a ring, consider your partner’s preferences, style and characteristics. Additionally, the ring setting and metal type play a significant role in the overall look and feel of the ring. For more information, explore our Engagement Ring Style Guide and Engagement Ring Metal Guide.
Choosing the right engagement ring shape involves more than just personal style; it’s also important to consider how the ring will look on your partner’s finger. The shape of their fingers can influence which diamond cuts will appear most flattering.
For small or short fingers, elongated shapes such as oval, pear or marquise can create the illusion of length and make fingers appear longer and more slender. These shapes draw the eye along the length of the finger, adding elegance and balance.
For large or full fingers, choosing a ring shape that doesn't add extra width is key. Shapes like pear, oval and marquise are ideal as they help elongate the appearance of the finger. Opt for a setting that sits low on the finger to create a more flattering look.
Selecting the ideal diamond shape for your engagement ring is an important step in creating a piece that truly reflects your partner's style and personality. At Queensmith, our diamond and design experts are here to guide you through every step, from understanding the 4Cs of diamonds – carat, colour, cut and clarity – to designing a bespoke engagement ring that suits their hands perfectly. Whether you prefer a classic round cut or a unique pear shape, we’ll help you craft the ring of your dreams.
Discovering the perfect engagement ring is a journey made easier with Queensmith. Our extensive collection of loose diamonds, complete with real 360 videos and advanced filtering options, allows you to explore various shapes, sizes and colours to suit your style. For a budget-friendly and more sustainable choice, consider our stunning lab grown engagement rings. While diamonds are a popular choice, Coloured Gemstones, like sapphires or green emeralds, offer a unique appearance to traditional shapes. Start your search today and find a ring that's truly special.
Queensmith (Group) Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is the broker and not the lender. Our FCA registration number is 951237. Queensmith (Group) Ltd offers credit products from Secure Trust Bank PLC trading as V12 Retail Finance. Credit is provided subject to affordability, age and status. Minimum spend applies. Not all products offered by Secure Trust Bank PLC are regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Created by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in the 1940s, the 4 C's — cut, color, clarity, and carat — serve as the universal standard for assessing diamond quality. Each C represents a distinct quality attribute, measured on its own scale:
Cut determines how effectively a diamond's facets interact with light, creating the gem’s signature brilliance and sparkle. Unlike other diamond characteristics that form during the growth process, cut quality results from the diamond cutter's skill and precision. A masterfully cut diamond reflects optimal brilliance, disperses vivid fire-like colors, and creates dynamic sparkle patterns when moved (this is called scintillation).
Diamond BraceletThe GIA grades diamond cut from Excellent to Poor based on proportions that maximize light performance. An Excellent cut diamond returns nearly all light that enters the gem, resulting in exceptional sparkle and visual impact. In contrast, a Poor cut allows light to escape through the pavilion (bottom), resulting in a dull appearance regardless of the diamond's other qualities.
Diamond color refers to the absence of color, with completely colorless diamonds being the most valuable and rare. The GIA color grading scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z, with each letter grade representing a subtle increase in color saturation. Diamonds that fall outside this range — such as vivid pinks or blues — are classified as "fancy colored" and are evaluated differently.
Clarity measures how free a diamond is from inclusions (internal characteristics) and blemishes (surface flaws). The GIA clarity scale ranges from Flawless to Included. Most diamonds fall somewhere in between, with inclusions that are microscopic and don't impact their beauty.
The impact of inclusions varies dramatically depending on their size, number, and position. The location of an inclusion matters as much as its size — an inclusion directly under the table (top facet) affects appearance more than one hidden near the girdle (edge). This makes each diamond's clarity assessment nuanced and highlights the value of viewing diamonds individually rather than relying solely on certification
Carat is a measurement unit that describes a diamond's weight, with one carat equaling 200 milligrams (roughly the weight of a paperclip). It's important to understand that two diamonds of identical carat weight can appear noticeably different in size depending on their shape and cut. A well-cut diamond maximizes surface area and light performance, often appearing larger than a poorly cut gem of equal weight.
Shape refers to a diamond's outline when viewed from above and should not be confused with cut, which describes the gem's facet arrangement. The most popular shape remains the round brilliant, and any non-round shape (such as emerald, marquise, oval, or princess) is considered a "fancy shape."
When evaluating size, consider actual millimeter measurements rather than relying solely on carat weight. A standard 1-carat round brilliant typically measures about 6.5mm in diameter, while a well-cut oval or marquise of the same weight may appear larger due to their elongated shape and greater spread.
Natural diamonds form deep within the Earth under extreme conditions of heat and pressure over billions of years. They are comprised of nearly 99.95% carbon — making diamonds the only gemstone constructed of a single element. They are the hardest naturally occurring materials found on Earth and gem-quality diamonds are one of the most sought-after. Because of their limited quantity, natural diamonds have been cherished for their enduring value and passed from generation to generation.
Lab diamonds are optically, chemically, and physically the same as natural diamonds. Their difference lies only in their origins — natural diamonds form within the Earth, and lab diamonds are grown by professionals with specialized equipment. Another difference is cost; as lab grown diamonds are less rare than natural diamonds, they often come at a much more accessible price. Do you think you can tell the difference between lab grown and natural diamonds just by looking? Test your eye with these side-by-side images.
1. Master the 4 C's. To discover the ideal diamond for you, develop an understanding of how each factor affects a diamond's appearance and value. Then, determine which characteristics matter most to you personally. If exceptional brilliance is your priority, emphasize cut quality above all else. If impressive size makes the greatest impact for you, you might strategically compromise on color, cut, or clarity to get a greater carat weight. Remember that there's no universally "correct" combination — your aesthetic preferences should guide the way.
3. Select your signature shape. Round diamonds offer unmatched brilliance and traditional appeal, but typically command higher prices than fancy shapes, which can provide better value and a distinctive appearance. Choose the shape that resonates with your personal style, whether you're drawn to timeless rounds or the unique character of fancy shapes like oval, cushion, or emerald.
4. Ensure proper certification. Your diamond should come with a comprehensive grading report from a respected independent laboratory such as GIA, IGI, HRD, or GCAL. These certificates verify your diamond's authenticity and provide objective documentation of its quality characteristics. Please note that all Brilliant Earth center stones are certified.
There's no single "best" combination, as it depends on individual preferences and budget. However, for maximum visual appeal, many experts recommend prioritizing excellent cut, color in the G-J range, clarity in the VS1-SI1 range, and the highest carat weight your budget allows. This combination typically yields a diamond that appears colorless to the naked eye, has no visible inclusions, displays excellent brilliance, and maximizes size.
A diamond is crystallized carbon formed under extreme pressure and temperature in a lab or deep within the Earth over billions of years. It ranks as the hardest known substance and valued for its exceptional hardness (10 on the Mohs scale), brilliance, and fire.
Certified diamonds are diamonds certified by independent institutions such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the International Gemological Institute (IGI), HRD Antwerp, and the Gem Certification & Assurance Lab (GCAL). All Brilliant Earth center diamonds are certified.
Diamonds are the hardest known substance found on Earth. They are so hard that they rank at the highest hardness level (a 10) on the Mohs scale. Therefore, diamonds are ideal for everyday wear, making them perfect as center gems in jewelry as well as engagement rings.
