Diamonds are most often seen in a round brilliant-cut, but that style is not set in stone (all puns intended)! Diamonds, and most stones for that matter, can be cut into several different shapes to show off their brilliance. Diamond cuts change in popularity through time, while others evolve to show off the stone better. Each cut has its unique attributes, and it is up to the buyer to decide which cut they like the best. Below are the five most popular cuts that are seen in diamond rings today.
Oval Brilliant-Cut
Marquise Cut
Overall, the most important thing about diamond cut is how well the cut is executed. There are amazing examples of every cut...but there are some less-than-great versions as well. Be sure to get guidance from someone who can explain the finer points of diamond cutting. Believe it or not, while all faceted diamonds look beautiful when they are loose, completely free of dirt, and viewed under specialty lighting--it's only the finest ones that continue to sparkle and twinkle once set in a mounting, graced with a little layer of dirt (which no one seems to be able to keep up with perfectly), and viewed under more standard household or office lighting.
Round Brilliant-Cut
The most popular cut for diamonds, round brilliant-cuts have been around for centuries, and make up 75% of diamonds on the market! Because this cut has been around for so long, diamond cutters have perfected this cut to ensure it re
The princess cut is the second most popular diamond cut in recent history, although in the past five years it has waned some in popularity. Invented in the 1960s, the princess cut was made to show off the true brilliance of a diamond with straight sides. Round brilliant diamonds and princess cut diamonds have similar facet positions, so their brilliance, in theory, can rival that of a round brilliant diamond. Princess cut stones also us
e up to 80% of the rough stone, compared to 40%-50% for round brilliant diamonds. The more of the rough stone that can be used in making the cut stone, the more affordable the stone is! Celebrities known to rock princess cut rings include Hillary Duff, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Kate Bosworth!
The princess cut is the second most popular diamond cut in recent history, although in the past five years it has waned some in popularity. Invented in the 1960s, the princess cut was made to show off the true brilliance of a diamond with straight sides. Round brilliant diamonds and princess cut diamonds have similar facet positions, so their brilliance, in theory, can rival that of a round brilliant diamond. Princess cut stones also us
e up to 80% of the rough stone, compared to 40%-50% for round brilliant diamonds. The more of the rough stone that can be used in making the cut stone, the more affordable the stone is! Celebrities known to rock princess cut rings include Hillary Duff, Carrie Ann Inaba, and Kate Bosworth! Emerald Cut
Okay, a little back story on emerald-cut diamonds. The emerald cut was invented for emeralds, specifically because of their composition. Most emeralds have natural inclusions that can be seen by the unaided eye. These inclusions often look mossy, and are referred to as jardin (the French word for garden). Because 
so many emeralds have “garden,” stone cutters decided to create a cut for the stone that instead emphasized the color in the stone, and didn't even attempt to hide the garden in so doing. Thus, the emerald cut was invented. Its large surface allows you to peer into the stone to appreciate the garden that makes emeralds so unique. When an emerald cut is applied to a diamond, a hall-of-mirrors effect is created, rather than the sparkle or a round cut diamond. Many people are attracted to the modern, geometric style of emerald cut diamonds, including Beyonce, Mariah Carey, and Kim Kardashian.
so many emeralds have “garden,” stone cutters decided to create a cut for the stone that instead emphasized the color in the stone, and didn't even attempt to hide the garden in so doing. Thus, the emerald cut was invented. Its large surface allows you to peer into the stone to appreciate the garden that makes emeralds so unique. When an emerald cut is applied to a diamond, a hall-of-mirrors effect is created, rather than the sparkle or a round cut diamond. Many people are attracted to the modern, geometric style of emerald cut diamonds, including Beyonce, Mariah Carey, and Kim Kardashian.The oval cut is a modification of the r
ound brilliant cut, and has been enjoying a huge revival in popularity, being the most popular fancy shape here at Alara. Oval cuts have been around for hundreds of years, but it wasn’t until the 1960’s that the modified oval cut was perfected. Many people appreciate the oval cut because it shares a similar brilliance to round cut diamonds, but is elongated to show more brilliance and appear larger. When oval stones are worn parallel to the finger, it adds a slimming feeling to the finger. Oval diamonds are perfect for the classy woman that wants a ring that’s a little more unique than a round cut diamond. Many celebrities find the oval cut to be perfect for them, including Serena Williams, Blake Lively, and Kate Middleton!
ound brilliant cut, and has been enjoying a huge revival in popularity, being the most popular fancy shape here at Alara. Oval cuts have been around for hundreds of years, but it wasn’t until the 1960’s that the modified oval cut was perfected. Many people appreciate the oval cut because it shares a similar brilliance to round cut diamonds, but is elongated to show more brilliance and appear larger. When oval stones are worn parallel to the finger, it adds a slimming feeling to the finger. Oval diamonds are perfect for the classy woman that wants a ring that’s a little more unique than a round cut diamond. Many celebrities find the oval cut to be perfect for them, including Serena Williams, Blake Lively, and Kate Middleton!Marquise diamonds were invented in the 1700’s, when King Louis XV of France had a jeweler design a diamond cut that resembled the lips of his mistress, Jean Antoinette Poisson, the Marchioness Madame de Pompadour. The marquise has been 
popular ever since it was invented; its elongated look is very slimming on the finger, and goes very well with any ring setting. The marquise cut has a pattern of changing in popularity, with some years seeing a rise in marquise cut sales, while other years it slides under the radar. Marquises were the least-requested shape at Alara up until three years ago--but now it's enjoying a resurgence in popularity. This timeless look is adorned by many people, including Portia de Rossi, Ashley Simpson, and Christina Milan.
popular ever since it was invented; its elongated look is very slimming on the finger, and goes very well with any ring setting. The marquise cut has a pattern of changing in popularity, with some years seeing a rise in marquise cut sales, while other years it slides under the radar. Marquises were the least-requested shape at Alara up until three years ago--but now it's enjoying a resurgence in popularity. This timeless look is adorned by many people, including Portia de Rossi, Ashley Simpson, and Christina Milan.
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