Which diamond cut is most popular for engagement rings right now?

Round Brilliant Cut: The Timeless Favorite

The Round Brilliant diamond continues to reign supreme as the most popular choice for engagement rings in 2023. With its perfect symmetry and unmatched brilliance, it’s no surprise that approximately 75% of all diamond rings sold feature this classic cut.

The Round Brilliant cut features 58 facets (57 if the culet is excluded) precisely arranged to maximize light reflection, creating that mesmerizing sparkle that catches the eye from across the room. Its timeless appeal transcends changing fashion trends, making it a safe yet stunning choice for custom engagement rings.

What makes the Round Brilliant cut particularly special is its versatility. It complements virtually any setting style, from classic solitaires to elaborate halo designs. Whether set in platinum, white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold, a Round Brilliant diamond exudes elegance and sophistication. Many couples visiting Martin Busch Jewelers in New York City specifically request this cut for its proven track record of delighting partners.

Oval Cut: The Rising Star

The Oval cut has seen a dramatic surge in popularity over the past few years, becoming the second most requested diamond shape for engagement rings. This elongated brilliant cut combines the fire and brilliance of the Round cut with a unique elongated shape that creates an illusion of greater size and slenderizes the wearer’s finger.

Celebrity engagements have significantly influenced the rise of Oval cut diamonds, with numerous high-profile proposals featuring this elegant shape. Its modern yet timeless appearance appeals to those seeking something slightly unconventional while maintaining classic brilliance.

The Oval cut’s elongated shape provides approximately 10% more surface area than a Round diamond of the same carat weight, offering excellent value. When shopping for custom engagement rings, many couples are surprised to discover how much more impressive an Oval diamond appears compared to a Round of identical weight. This cut pairs beautifully with simple wedding bands or more elaborate women’s wedding bands.

Cushion Cut: The Romantic Choice

The Cushion cut, with its rounded corners and larger facets, has maintained steady popularity, particularly among those drawn to vintage-inspired engagement rings. This romantic cut combines the softness of a Round diamond with the structure of a Princess cut, creating a timeless look that’s both classic and distinctive.

Originally developed in the 19th century, the Cushion cut (then known as the “old mine cut”) has evolved while maintaining its vintage charm. Modern Cushion cuts feature improved brilliance while preserving their signature pillow-like appearance. This blend of old-world charm and modern sparkle makes them particularly appealing for custom jewelry pieces.

Cushion cut diamonds excel in showing off color, making them excellent choices for fancy colored diamonds or for those who appreciate warmer white diamond tones. Their soft corners also make them less prone to chipping than sharp-cornered cuts, offering practical durability alongside romantic aesthetics. Many diamond jewelry enthusiasts appreciate how Cushion cuts complement vintage-style diamond necklaces and earrings as well.

Princess Cut: The Modern Classic

The Princess cut ranks as the fourth most popular diamond shape for engagement rings today. This relatively modern cut (developed in the 1970s) features a square or rectangular shape with pointed corners and numerous facets arranged in a unique pattern that creates exceptional brilliance.

What makes the Princess cut special is its ability to combine the brilliance of a Round diamond with a contemporary geometric shape. Its squared form makes it highly efficient when cutting from the rough diamond, typically retaining about 80% of the original stone compared to the 50% retention of Round cuts. This efficiency often translates to better value for buyers seeking diamonds in New York City.

Princess cut diamonds work beautifully in almost any ring setting but are particularly stunning in channel settings where their straight edges align perfectly with the wedding ring design. For those planning custom engagement rings, Princess cuts offer versatility and contemporary elegance while maintaining that crucial sparkle factor that makes diamonds so captivating.

Emerald Cut: The Sophisticated Option

The Emerald cut has experienced a significant resurgence in popularity, especially among sophisticates and minimalist-design enthusiasts. Unlike brilliant cuts that maximize sparkle, the Emerald cut’s step-cut faceting creates a different kind of beauty—one characterized by its “hall of mirrors” effect and elegant flashes of light.

This rectangular cut with cropped corners prioritizes clarity over brilliance, making it essential to select a high-quality stone when shopping for diamonds in New York City. The Emerald cut’s large, open table (top facet) means inclusions are more visible, but this transparency also showcases exceptional color and clarity in premium stones.

Celebrities and style icons have helped propel the Emerald cut into the spotlight, appreciating its sophisticated, understated elegance. An Emerald cut engagement ring makes a statement about the wearer’s refined taste rather than simply maximizing sparkle. The elongated shape also creates a slimming effect on the finger, adding to its appeal. Many couples seek Emerald cuts when designing custom engagement rings that reflect a more architectural, modern aesthetic.

Pear Cut: The Unique Statement

The Pear cut, also known as the teardrop, continues to grow in popularity for those seeking a distinctive engagement ring. Combining elements of both the Marquise and Round cuts, this shape features one rounded end and one pointed end, creating an elegant silhouette that elongates the finger.

What makes Pear cut diamonds particularly appealing is their versatility—they can be worn with the point facing either up or down, depending on personal preference. The unique shape also makes them appear larger than other cuts of the same carat weight, offering impressive visual impact.

When selecting a Pear cut diamond, symmetry is crucial. The point should align perfectly with the rounded end, and the shoulders (the curves on either side) should form a symmetrical arc. This attention to proportion ensures the diamond displays optimal brilliance. Pear cuts aren’t just popular for diamond rings—they’re also frequently featured in stunning diamond earrings and necklaces.

Marquise Cut: The Elongating Beauty

The Marquise cut diamond, with its distinctive boat-like shape featuring pointed ends and a curved middle, has been experiencing a revival in engagement ring designs. This elegant cut was allegedly created in the 18th century for King Louis XV of France, who wanted a diamond shaped like the smile of his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour.

Today’s Marquise cut appeals to those seeking to maximize apparent size, as its elongated shape creates the illusion of greater carat weight. In fact, a Marquise diamond typically appears larger than any other shape of the same carat weight. This makes it an excellent choice for those looking to balance budget with impressive visual presence when shopping for diamonds in New York City.

The Marquise’s elongated form has the added benefit of making the wearer’s finger appear longer and more slender. When set with the points running vertically along the finger, this slimming effect is particularly pronounced. For custom engagement rings, the Marquise offers unique design opportunities, especially in east-west settings or as side stones in three-stone rings. Their distinct shape also complements unusual wedding bands.

Radiant Cut: The Brilliant Hybrid

The Radiant cut represents an innovative hybrid, combining the elegant outline of Emerald cuts with the brilliance of Round cuts. This versatile shape, which can be square or rectangular, features trimmed corners and a complex faceting pattern that creates exceptional fire and brilliance.

Developed in the 1970s, the Radiant cut offers a compelling alternative for those who appreciate the shape of Emerald or Princess cuts but desire more sparkle. Its 70 facets are designed to maximize light performance, making it an excellent choice for engagement rings that need to impress from across the room.

Another advantage of the Radiant cut is its durability. The trimmed corners reduce the risk of chipping that can occur with sharp-cornered shapes like the Princess cut. This practical benefit adds to its appeal for everyday wear. Radiant cuts pair beautifully with lab-grown diamonds, offering exceptional brilliance in sustainable options. The versatility of this cut makes it suitable for various diamond jewelry pieces beyond rings.

Asscher Cut: The Vintage Resurrection

The Asscher cut, developed in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers of Holland, has enjoyed a significant revival in recent years. This octagonal step-cut diamond with cropped corners creates a distinctive “hall of mirrors” effect similar to the Emeral