Round, Oval, or Cushion Cut: Which Diamond Shape Is Right for You?

Round, Oval, or Cushion Cut: Which Diamond Shape Is Right for You?

Round, oval and cushion cuts are excellent options as center stones for engagement rings. Each produces a distinct appearance when worn on the finger. Therefore, the question of “Round, Oval, or Cushion Cut: Which Diamond Shape Is Right for You?” has less to do with the popularity of each cut at this time and more to do with what qualities in terms of sparkle, proportions, style and everyday usability are important to you.

Buyers in Australia who are considering buying lab grown diamonds Australia may want to look at each shape in various sizes (carats) and with varying specifications so they can determine which one will be most suitable for them.

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First, Shape and Cut Are Not Quite the Same Thing

The term "round cut" or "oval cut" may be used when purchasing a diamond; however, the outline of the diamond is the shape, and the "cut" of the diamond refers to how well the facets, proportions, and craftsmanship of the diamond allow it to interact with light. GIA will only assign an overall cut grade to round brilliant diamonds at this time. All other types of fancy-shaped diamonds, such as oval and cushion, will require additional visual evaluations.

Round, Oval, or Cushion Cut: Which Diamond Shape Is Right for You?

Choose Round for Maximum Classic Brilliance

The most obvious selection if you are looking for an ultra-sparkly diamond that will never go out of style would be a round brilliant. The cutting pattern of this shape has been refined over many years to maximize its ability to reflect back light.

Round cut diamonds are versatile and can be used on all types of engagement ring designs, whether they are solitaire settings or halo settings.

The primary trade-off will be financial resources. Because round diamonds are often sold at a higher price than most fancy-shaped diamonds.

Best for: classic taste, maximum brilliance and straightforward quality comparison.

Choose Oval for More Visual Length

The shape of the oval has a similar brilliance to the round cut; however, the vertical stretching of the shape creates a different look. The elongated shape allows the oval to look like it is larger on top (face-up) than a round cut of the same weight, as well as help elongate your fingers. GIA states that the proportions of ovals can differ greatly, so the length-to-width ratio is a personal decision.

The most significant problem with the lighting performance is the "bow tie" effect; a black band of shadow that can form horizontally across the middle of the light. While there will always be some degree of contrast in the light, a particularly noticeable bow tie may cause you to overlook the otherwise very positive aspects of the light's performance.

In addition to comparing rings and wedding bands, you may want to compare the setting height of your oval ring as it relates to whether the two rings will sit flush against each other.

Best for: buyers wanting an elegant, elongated appearance and strong visual presence.

Choose Cushion for Softer, Romantic Character

Cushions are made from either a square or rectangle and have rounded edges; they can appear to be more "vintage" or "romantic" than a round cushion, yet still provide the same soft feel as opposed to those that are created with straight lines.

Not all cushion-cut diamonds are alike. Cushion brilliant cut diamonds have large flashes of fire, but the modified-brilliant cut creates a "crushed ice" look. GIA recommends checking for symmetry and how the diamond reflects light because cushions are designed in many different shapes and sizes, and each design has its own unique way of cutting the diamond.

When shopping for lab cultured diamonds, you will want to go beyond what is reported on the grading certificate and view both video footage and/or physical examples of each stone when possible.

Best for: romantic styling, rounded corners and buyers who enjoy a less uniform sparkle pattern.

Looking at options such as a ring diamond mens design early can also help coordinate metals and overall styling.

The Bottom Line

So, Round, Oval, or Cushion Cut: Which Diamond Shape Is Right for You? When classic brilliance is what you are looking for, select round. Oval has a longer shape than the other two cuts and appears to be larger visually. Cushion cuts have soft edges and can have a very romantic appearance.

The most important part of buying an engagement ring is that you select your diamond on its own merit instead of simply selecting based on specifications. After you select the center stone, you should also consider how the ring setting will affect the security of the diamond, the height of the diamond above the finger, the overall visual proportions of the ring, and whether the ring will fit comfortably next to a wedding band. The correct diamond for you is the one whose beauty continues to appeal to you long after all of the trendy labels have been taken off.

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