Here on the Bling 101 blog, we tackle some of the most frequently asked questions about all things jewelry and diamonds. When it comes to the latter, one of the most important things to consider is the diamond shape—or cut. Whether you're designing your dream engagement ring or choosing a diamond eternity band to complement it, diamond cuts play an important part in the decision. Choosing the perfect diamond cut for a special piece of jewelry comes down to personal taste, but there are certain pros and cons that come with each cut that may sway your opinion.
Below, we're giving you the 101 on diamond shapes and outlining everything you need to know about each. For starters, everything outside of a round brilliant is called a fancy shape diamond. Fancy shape diamonds only get a polish and symmetry GIA grade as opposed to the round brilliant which gets an official cut grade of cut, polish and symmetry. Every stone on this list has a brilliant cut except for the emerald and the Asscher which are step cuts. Brilliant cut diamonds will catch your eye from across the room while step cuts are understated and do not sparkle, though they are beautiful up close.