Choosing an engagement ring cut can be both thrilling and overwhelming—after all, it’s a style you’ll wear for a lifetime. The good news is, diamonds are timeless.
Olivia Landau, a GIA-certified gemologist and fourth-generation diamond expert, has helped countless couples find the perfect ring. As the founder of The Clear Cut, a beloved New York-based custom jeweler, she specializes in creating unique engagement rings and fine jewelry that celebrate love. “The process should be transparent and enjoyable,” Landau says of the bespoke experience.
“A diamond is deeply personal and a significant investment,” Landau notes. “It’s important that you truly love the stone your partner chooses. Trying on different styles helps you discover what looks and feels right on your hand—there’s no wrong choice when it comes to cut, but knowing your personal style can guide your partner toward the perfect ring.”
Here, explore 10 popular engagement ring cuts, the celebrities who wear them, and what each style says about the wearer.
Round Cut
Worn by: Mila Kunis, Allison Williams, Brooke Shields, Miranda Kerr, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Emmy Rossum, and Emily Blunt.
“This cut appeals to those who love classic, timeless style,” says Landau. “The round brilliant offers a traditional look that never goes out of fashion, and its faceting delivers maximum sparkle.”
Baylee Zwart, founder of jewelry brand AZLEE, agrees: “Round brilliants have always been popular. Lately, we’ve been pairing them with unexpected side stones, like kites, to give a classic shape a fresh, modern twist.”
Princess Cut
Worn by: Kate Bosworth, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Katrina Bowden.
The princess cut is square on top with beveled sides and a pointed base. It offers brilliant sparkle in a sleek, modern design with clean lines.
Zwart notes that clients are also drawn to asymmetrical princess cuts that feel less structured, almost like “crushed ice,” breaking away from traditional fancy shapes.
Emerald Cut
Worn by: Beyoncé, Amal Clooney, Kristen Bell, and Anne Hathaway.
“Emerald cuts radiate elegance and refinement,” Landau says. “The elongated shape and step-cut faceting suit those with understated, discerning taste—classic but with an edge.”
Atara Lev, head designer at Material Good, observes that emerald cuts remain popular, whether set as solitaires or three-stone rings with tapered baguettes. “Lately, clients want a modern take—like ultra-long ratios or uniquely cut corners—for the center stone.”
Lev also notes growing interest in emerald cut sapphires in various colors, often paired with rare diamond side stones like elongated trapezoids.From squares and hexagons to kites and calf cuts, these completed rings have become the definition of a modern classic.
Cushion Cut
Illustrated by Durrant Santeng
As worn by: Kim Kardashian, Sofia Vergara, Leighton Meester, Bar Rafaeli, and Gabrielle Union.
According to Landau, the cushion cut is both feminine and trendy. “A cushion’s curved corners and brilliant facets are perfect for someone looking for a soft yet sparkling appearance.”
There are also variations on the traditional cushion cut. “I recently discovered checkerboard cushion-cut diamonds and fell in love with them,” says Zwart. “I hadn’t seen that before, so I was especially intrigued. Checkerboard cushions are incredibly striking—the shape is soft and feminine, but the faceting features strong, angular lines, creating a balanced and eye-catching effect.”
Oval Cut
Illustrated by Durrant Santeng
As worn by: Serena Williams, Blake Lively, Kate Middleton, Katie Holmes, Julianne Hough, and Christina Aguilera.
Oval cuts have become one of the most popular and up-and-coming diamond shapes. “This cut is great for those who love to stay ahead of trends while still embracing a classic, elegant look,” Landau says.
Brent Neale, a custom jewelry designer for fashion insiders like Julia Berolzheimer and Sylvana Ward-Durrett, agrees. “Recently, we’ve seen more requests for ovals and have been setting them in a variety of styles—BN Signature, Pillow Set solitaires, and our Wildflower collection,” Neale says, adding, “Ovals and rounds generally appear the largest.”
Maria Canel, who built her New York-based custom jewelry business through word-of-mouth in the fashion industry, notes she’s seeing “a lot of oval and emerald cut diamonds lately, often set east-west across the finger in all types of settings.”
Pear-Shaped Cut
Illustrated by Durrant Santeng
As worn by: Princess Charlene of Monaco, Kaley Cuoco, Katherine Heigl, Anna Kournikova, and Mia Farrow.
Shaped like a teardrop (of joy!), the pear cut gives the finger an elongated look. It’s one of the least common engagement ring cuts. “Women who march to the beat of their own drum and want a ring that stands out are drawn to the pear shape,” Landau says. “We’ve seen thicker gold bands and diamond cuts like marquise and pear shapes grow in popularity over the last year.”
Lev mentions an increased interest in fancy colored diamonds, such as fancy yellow and fancy brown, and within these categories, a desire to take it “one step further” with unique cuts like a step-cut pear shape.
Marquise Cut
Illustrated by Durrant Santeng
As worn by: Selena Gomez, Christina Milian, Portia de Rossi, Ashlee Simpson Ross, and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
The marquise cut is the height of elegance. Its oval shape comes to pointed ends, resembling the hull of a ship—this cut is also known as the Navette cut (meaning “little boat” in French). In addition to being unique, this cut helps create the illusion of longer fingers. Landau notes that marquise cuts have grown more popular over the past year. The Art Deco feel makes it a favorite for brides who love vintage-inspired styles.
Radiant Cut
Illustrated by Durrant Santeng
As worn by: Brittany Matthews, Draya Michele.
Similar to an emerald cut, the radiant cut is shaped like an octagon. However, unlike the emerald, the radiant has 70 light-reflecting facets, making it exceptionally dazzling. “Women who like radiant cuts tend to be bubbly and outgoing,” Landau observes. “The brilliant faceting and rectangular shape are perfect for those who love lots of sparkle and flash!”
Asscher Cut
Illustrated by Durrant Santeng
As worn by: Pippa Middleton, Gwenyth Paltrow, Zooey Deschanel, and Jessica Alba.
“Asscher cuts have an old-world sophistication: Women who love antiques and unique designs often gravitate toward Asscher cuts for their retro look,” Landau says.Like emerald cuts, Asscher cut diamonds feature step-cut faceting rather than brilliant-cut faceting, giving them a subtle and elegant appearance. This short, octagonal cut was especially popular in the 1920s and ’30s and carries a distinct Art Deco vibe.
Zwart shares this appreciation: “I love Asscher cuts. They feel underused, which makes me drawn to them even more. They radiate class but still feel modern because of their step-cut style.”
However, Neale offers a word of caution: “Asscher cuts tend to look smaller than other shapes because they’re deeper stones.” (She admits she might be a little biased—her own ring is an Asscher cut!)
Heart Cut
Photo: Getty Images
Worn by: Nicki Minaj, Arielle Charnas, Jenna Rennert, and Gwen Stefani.
A heart-shaped engagement ring is a sweet and bold choice. It’s not a common style, and those who choose it often stand out from the crowd.
Trillion Cut
Photo: Getty Images
Worn by: Paris Hilton, Salma Hayek, Nicola Peltz-Beckham, and Elizabeth Hurley.
If you’re looking for something unexpected, consider a trillion cut diamond. This triangular stone is rarely used as a center stone but is often paired with another diamond for extra sparkle. Those wanting a unique look can also choose it as their main gem.
Engagement Ring Cut FAQ
What’s the difference between cut and shape?
“Shape refers to the diamond’s outline—like round, pear, or oval,” explains Lorraine Brantner, a GIA-certified gemologist. “Cut, on the other hand, refers to the angles, proportions, and faceting style, which directly affect how the diamond sparkles. Shape is about personal style, while cut impacts brilliance.”
Which cut sparkles the most?
For maximum sparkle, look for brilliant-cut stones. “Round brilliant diamonds usually offer the best balance of brilliance, fire, and scintillation due to their symmetry,” says Brantner. “Other shapes like cushion and radiant can also sparkle beautifully, depending on how they’re cut. Step cuts like emerald and Asscher have parallel facets that create a more subtle, elegant light play with less sparkle but more emphasis on clean lines and clarity.”
How do I choose a cut for my finger shape?
The most flattering cut depends on your hand shape and style. “Try on different shapes to see what appeals to you,” Brantner advises. “If you have shorter fingers, an east-west setting might work well. For longer, slender fingers, elongated shapes like pear, oval, or marquise can be very complementary.”
How to decide which cut I want?
“Think about the overall style you want for your engagement ring. If you prefer timeless elegance, classic cuts like round or emerald are great. For a softer, romantic look, consider oval or cushion cuts. If you want to make a statement, distinctive shapes like marquise or Asscher offer unique character while still being sophisticated. Ultimately, choose a cut that reflects your personal taste and lifestyle.”
Which cut holds the best value?
Diamond trends come and go, so prices can vary based on demand. “Round brilliant diamonds are the most traditional and timeless choice, so their value tends to remain strong.””Value isn’t affected by changes in popularity,” says Brantner.
When asked about the most popular engagement ring cuts, Brantner shares, “Round, emerald, princess, and cushion are timeless shapes that have remained popular. In recent years, pear, oval, radiant, and most recently marquise cuts have also had their moment in the spotlight!”
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of helpful and naturalsounding FAQs about engagement ring cuts and their meanings
Beginner General Questions
Q What exactly is a cut in an engagement ring
A The cut refers to the shape and style in which a diamond or gemstone is faceted Its different from shape because it describes the arrangement of facets that create its sparkle
Q Why does the cut matter so much
A The cut is the biggest factor in a stones brilliance and fire A wellcut stone will look more beautiful and lively even if it has slight imperfections in color or clarity
Q Which cut is the most popular and why
A The Round Brilliant cut is by far the most popular Its engineered for maximum sparkle and is a timeless classic choice that works with almost any setting
Q Are some cuts more affordable than others
A Yes Fancy cuts like Oval Cushion or Princess are often less expensive per carat because less raw diamond is wasted during the cutting process The Round Brilliant is typically the most expensive
Q Do different cuts have different symbolic meanings
A Yes While all engagement rings symbolize love and commitment many cuts have developed their own unique meanings and associations over time often tied to their shape and history
Questions About Specific Cuts Their Meanings
Q What does a Round Brilliant cut symbolize
A It symbolizes eternal timeless love and commitment Its neverending circle represents a promise with no beginning and no end
Q Ive heard the Oval cut is having a moment What does it mean
A The Oval is known for symbolizing creativity individuality and a lasting legacy Its elongated shape is also flattering on the finger and can make the stone look larger
Q What is the meaning behind a Pearshaped cut
A The Pear cut blends the round and marquise shapes symbolizing a union of two people coming together as one It can also represent tears of joy
Q The Emerald cut looks so elegant Whats its symbolism
A The Emerald cut is associated with clarity wisdom