Round Brilliant Cut 
Oval Cut 
Cushion Cut 
Emerald Cut 
Only our favourite pieces have made the cut for this guide to stunningly shaped engagement rings.
Throughout history, humans have been cutting precious stones to their preferred size and shape, then using them to decorate everything from spears to amulets. The act of shaping a gemstone and honing it to perfection is a hugely prized skill that takes many years to master. And like any complicated technique, it’s accompanied by a wealth of jargon, such as ‘faceting’ (where a transparent stone is shaped into multiple flat surfaces to increase its brilliance) and ‘cabochon’ (a smoother, rounder cut, usually applied to opaque gems).
For this guide to diamond shapes, we’ve tried to keep things as simple as possible. The quality of a diamond’s cut is crucial: it’s one of the four ‘C’s that determine its value (the others being colour, clarity and carat). But we must also remember that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and when it comes to the shape of the stones that adorn our jewellery, it’s all down to personal preference. Rest assured, we choose only the finest cuts to embellish our designs.
To illustrate some of our favourite cuts, we’ve hand-picked a selection of engagement rings from our Amelia collection (named after the English Amelia rose, a classic symbol of love). Our master craftsmen ensure each perfectly placed facet increases the fire, brilliance and scintillation of the stone, producing an irresistible shape and sparkle.
Brilliant
Many consider this to be the ideal shape to maximise the brilliance and ‘fire’ of the gemstone, as the cut naturally follows the rough diamond crystal. The light is reflected through the ‘cone’ shape of the diamond setting, resulting in an eye-catching radiance. It is also the cut most commonly used in jewellery – a truly timeless classic.
Pear
The pear is sometimes referred to as the teardrop – and perfect symmetry is required in its cutting to achieve that curvaceous shape. The elongation of the stone is very flattering on the finger while the rounded end echoes the brilliant cut in its light-reflecting advantages.
Emerald
One of the oldest diamond cuts, the emerald’s large flat surface allows the natural, uninterrupted beauty of the gemstone to take centre stage. With its vintage appeal, the emerald cut makes the perfect centrepiece, either as a solitaire or in a series of stones, creating a ‘hall of mirrors’ effect of light reflection.
Oval
As well as creating the illusion of a slimmer finger, the oval cut optimises carat weight, as the stone appears bigger than similar weights cut into other shapes. This cut is also very versatile, suiting a solitaire setting or a halo of surrounding stones.
If you’re looking for an exquisitely shaped diamond for when you ask the big question, our Amelia collection is the perfect choice. To browse more of our collections, head to Mappin & Webb online or visit one of our showrooms, where our experts are on hand to help you make your selection.
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