Diamond Shapes Explained: Round, Oval, Pear, Marquise, Emerald and Heart
The shape of a diamond changes how it sparkles, how large it looks and the personality of the piece. These are the six shapes you will find across our collections.
Round brilliant
The classic. With 57 or 58 facets arranged for maximum light return, the round brilliant is the most sparkling shape of all. Timeless in solitaire studs like the Solis Round Studs.
Oval
An elongated cousin of the round, with similar brilliance and a larger look per carat. Ovals lengthen the finger and feel modern. See the Solis Oval Halo Ring and Solis Oval Studs.
Pear
Part round, part marquise, the pear has a soft point that reads beautifully as a pendant or drop. The Solis Pear Drop Necklace lets it fall in a single line.
Marquise
Long and pointed at both ends, the marquise gives the largest surface area for its weight. It lends itself to petals and leaves, which is why it appears throughout the Flora collection.
Emerald
A step cut with long, flat facets that create a calm "hall of mirrors" effect rather than scattered sparkle. Clarity matters more here, which is where VVS–VS grading shines. See the Solis East-West Emerald Ring.
Heart
The most romantic shape, and one that needs skilled cutting to keep the outline crisp. Hearts feature across the Amour collection.
How to choose
- For maximum sparkle: round or oval.
- To look larger for the weight: oval, pear or marquise.
- For understated elegance: emerald.
- For a gift with meaning: heart.
Keep reading: Reading a Diamond Certificate: The 4Cs, Made Simple
Lab grown diamond jewellery in solid 14K gold, prices inclusive of GST, with free shipping across New Zealand and Australia. Shop the collection on KlōT͟HiNG →