So, you’re about to pop the big question, or you and your partner are shopping for the perfect ring for your day. It’s no surprise that the shape of the centrepiece stone ultimately determines when it comes to picking the perfect piece of jewellery. All cut types of engagement rings and cuts of wedding rings shine in their own way, so choosing which cuts of rings resonate with you is an excellent place to start.
Consider what is essential to you in daily jewellery. Do you like a more contemporary appearance or visit second-hand stores searching for your next good classic find? Would you like to make your fingers look longer, or do you want a massive stone?
All of these variables are influenced by the gem cut, and fortunately for you, we’re here now to clarify everything about cuts of rings and, of course, make sure you do it ethically.
A word on the basics of different cuts of rings
First things first, as you’ve probably seen when starting your ring shopping, there
are a relatively large amount of engagement ring cuts and wedding rings cuts to choose from. It can be overwhelming, possibly even scary.
We'll look at the different cuts of engagement rings, wedding rings and diamond ring shapes and how you can tell the difference between them to choose the right one for your beloved.
Engagement ring vs wedding ring
Now, most of you know there is a difference between an engagement ring and a wedding ring, but for the sake of clarity, let’s take a quick look at the difference between the two types of rings.
Engagement rings differ from wedding rings because they are given when you propose to your partner or agree to get married. At the wedding ceremony, a wedding ring is given to symbolize the official connection of getting married. Both rings are frequently worn in unison after the marriage ceremony. The engagement ring levels up, as it were.
Traditionally speaking, most wedding rings do not have big jewels set in them. A wedding band is typically a somewhat more basic ring, such as a simple band or one inlaid with tiny gems or diamonds. There’s no law that says you can’t have a wedding ring set with a diamond the size of a grapefruit if that’s your thing. You do you, honey.
Can an engagement ring be used as a wedding ring?
Some people may not want to purchase a separate wedding ring; in this case, the engagement ring can act as the wedding band. Once again, there is nothing set in stone (set what we did there?) that says you can’t use your engagement ring as your wedding ring.
Just like picking out a ring, if you like the cut of your engagement ring and think it would work well as a wedding ring, go for it!
Another route to go, in this case, is to get what is called a bridal set. As you probably guessed by the name, a bridal set is a matching engagement and wedding ring set. The benefit of getting something like this is that the sets generally match colour, metals and stones and fit together easily.
Once again, it’s about your taste and preference for how closely the rings match. Your engagement ring does not have to match your wedding ring. If you like, you can have two distinct kinds of metals, diamonds or gemstones.
The Difference Between Diamond Shapes and Diamond Cuts
You’ve probably already heard of how diamonds have shapes and cuts. They might sound similar, so before you head to the jeweller, you may want to know that they are very different things.
Discussing the shape of a diamond refers to the diamond’s overall appearance when viewed from the top. Traditional shapes such as round, square, heart, and ovals are typical gemstone shapes. Pretty straightforward.
Things get a little more technical when it comes to a diamond’s cut. A diamond cut indicates the facet configuration of a stone. This pattern dictates the diamond’s form, brilliance, or “sparkle,” and dispersion or “fire.” A well-cut diamond should shine brilliantly and shimmer with black and white and coloured bursts. A poorly cut diamond, on the other contrary, will appear dark and dull.
A few choice cuts
As we mentioned, choosing the right shape and cut of a wedding and/or engagement ring is very personal and subjective. We’ve collected some of the most popular engagement ring cuts to help you get started.
Cushion-Cut
The cushion-cut diamond is an excellent choice for those who want vintage style and elegance. It has softer corners, which cause it to appear more prominent on an individual’s hand than other cuts do; this makes the sparkly facets even more evident in their stone! The larger size also means there are plenty of them--that will look impressive as well, considering how costly these stones can get (especially if you’re shopping at a high-end jewelry store). As mentioned before, make sure your designs suit large hands because nothing looks worse when they don’t fit properly or don’t suit the wearer’s hand.
Princess-Cut
The princess cut is a favourite among engagement ring enthusiasts because it’s one of the most popular cuts of diamond rings. This shape works in almost any style, and its additional facets make flaws less noticeable than other lesser cuts, making this affordable option an excellent choice for those looking to preserve their budget while still getting something special!
Asscher-Cut
This crop corner design is sure to catch everyone’s eye. The Asscher cut was popularized in the 1920s until recently, when they could only be found at antique shops. Due to recent modifications that gave it more brilliance than before - people are starting to recognize these beautiful pieces as modern-day classics! This elegant form has always been associated with sophistication and style--a perfect mix of vintage flair while maintaining a modern feel.
Emerald-Cut
The emerald cut is a stylish, glamorous, elegant diamond shape that elongates the hand for an ultra-flattering appearance. This lean rectangular stone makes some of the most beautiful engagement rings with its step-cut facets, which create elegance in any design style by framing each side beautifully while maintaining high clarity to show off their quality sparkly colour from every angle!
Round-Cut
Undoubtedly, the most popular choice for engagement ring shapes is a gold one with round-cut diamonds. A round-cut diamond requires more care in cutting to achieve this level of excellence. Not only do these stones need perfect symmetry and clarity, but they also have larger rough diamond sizes than other shapes like emerald or oval—which means that the centre of your sparkly new band will be more costly than if you picked another type!
The round-cut diamond is the most brilliant and sparkling of all other stones. Each facet sends out rainbows that no different shape can compare to, 58 in total! This type makes an iconic ring - a timeless classic with luxurious simplicity for any stylish lady who appreciates tradition or elegance; it’s also perfect if you have larger hands because solitaire settings will make them look more flattering on your fingers than traditional square-set bands do (I know I always feel better when my hand looks slimmer).
Oval-Cut
Engagement rings with oval diamonds have been trending for a while now, and it’s easy to see why. The elongated shape of these pieces makes them appear much slimmer than other types of engagement ring designs, which can be boxy or bulky on your hand. Additionally, their faceting style gives off an extra dose (no pun intended) in terms of beauty as well; because this type shines best when compared against round-cut stones!
The oval-cut diamond is the most romantic and feminine of all stones. It has a unique vintage feel to it, making these rings perfect for those looking back in time or just trying something different from their everyday style!
Marquise-cut
Whether you’re more of an understated minimalist or want your bling on full display, this ring is for every bride who’s not afraid to take risks and experiment with their style. It also requires a perfect sense of humour because its unusual shape demands carefully choosing wedding bands - they need either complement it or be under its brilliant smile (depending!). Marquise-cut engagement rings are best when maximizing carat weight; modern versions often have hexagon surfaces featuring facets at both top/bottom edges, adding some luxury to your piece.
The smile of Marquise de Pompadour inspired the first marquise diamond cut. We don’t know if this elongated, pointed-end shape is a match for your personality or style, but it makes hands look long and lean--the kind you might want to take risks with!
Pear-cut
Pear-shaped gemstones are among the most popular engagement ring styles right now. These rings look both elegant and classy, with their feminine gracefulness being perfect for any girl who wants to be delicate about her hand in marriage but still demands respect from those around them - especially men! The sparkling pear cuts allow these pieces to speak volumes of themselves; they are perfect for any graceful girl who wants comfort in style without compromising on beauty or performance.
This diamond shape is said to represent the tears of joy, making your fingers look elongated and slimmer. This cross between a Marquise cut and oval also holds more colour than other cuts.
Heart cut.
What could be more appropriate for a symbol of love than a heart-shaped diamond? Engagement rings come in all shapes and sizes, but what’s more important than the ring itself? The heart-shaped diamond is a symbol of love that will never go out of fashion. If your significant other has got style for bold jewelry statements, then this cut should be on the top of your priority list because it’ll look amazing on them!
The heart-shaped diamond is the most popular engagement ring cut among women. This modified round shape offers symmetry, which makes it perfect for female brides who want to show off their romantic side and symbolize love with an eternal gift from the groom on hand during wedding day celebrations! However, you should be careful not to make this style look too “cute” because they can easily fall into that trap. If your partner likes bold fashion statements in pink colouration - the heart-cut gem is the way to go.
Some things to think about before making your final choice:
If you’re looking for something understated, go with a slimmer shape like the baguette. And if your style is more distinct and on-the-hip, try one of these other cuts - pear or marquise stone shapes will make an elegant statement while still being practical enough not to get snagged by everything around!
Engagement rings are often a classic shape, but there’s plenty of room for creativity in designing your own with more unique styles. The round cut is usually standard for an iconic look, while heart-shaped stones can make your ring feel even more special with its individual flair!
And if you’re considering which type of ring will suit your finger, it’s worth noting that wider bands tend to work well on longer fingers, while narrower bands work well on shorter fingers. But, ultimately, it’s all about choosing a style which looks and feels right for you!
Sustainable and ethically sourced
Malleable, one of the only Fairmined & Fairtrade Licensee Goldsmiths in Canada, employs responsibly sourced precious metals throughout our Fair Trade certified products - we can even tell you where the gold in each item comes from. We also prefer to use recycled metals and gems in our designs whenever feasible. We aim to improve the sustainability of our creations by using recycled instead of newly mined resources.
In addition, we follow the Kimberley Process to guarantee that all diamonds obtained are conflict-free. Malleable Jewellers is firmly devoted to making responsible and ethical jewellery that conveys the wearer’s individuality and confidence—a final word on ring cuts.
The possibilities for engagement rings are endless these days. Now, more than ever before in history, people get engaged with unique and beautiful gemstones like opal or sapphire instead of diamonds! Anything goes as long as it’s right for you - just remember that saying yes means committing yourself to spend the rest of your lives together and celebrating every day by wearing your unique piece.
