Those who were never cut out to be boring are looking beyond the ubiquitous Round Brilliant to stones that flatter their hand, meet their own personal style aesthetic or better symbolize their unique love story. And we’re giving a shoutout to 6 “fancy” cuts that continue to grow in popularity.
OVAL CUT. Hailey Bieber and Kate Middleton helped inspire a shift towards OVAL and other elongated cuts. Exhibiting excellent brilliance and sparkle, the OVAL cut has a large spread (which means it appears a lot bigger than a round diamond of the same carat weight). And it serves as a beautiful center stone when paired with curved side stones.
MARQUISE CUT. Also known as the Navette cut, the MARQUISE is popular for its regal feel--and became more so when Selena Gomez received a marquise-cut diamond engagement ring in December 2024. Its distinctive long and narrow silhouette is marked by curved sides and pointed ends that create an illusion of greater size while elongating the finger when set vertically. Note: if the stone is not properly cut, it can show a "bowtie" appearance across the center of the diamond. (Shown: Hidden Halo Setting in 14K yellow gold.)
EMERALD CUT. Characterized by a rectangular step cut, open table, and cropped corners, the EMERALD cut is often favored for its Art Deco aesthetic (and was the preferred cut of both Amal Clooney and Beyoncé). While it has more of an understated sparkle — often referred to as the "hall-of-mirrors" effect — its long silhouette showcases the diamond's clarity, while dramatically catching the light. Set vertically, it helps fingers look longer and slenderer — and its sleekness is heightened when paired with side baguettes.
“The Emerald cut is super flattering on my stubby fingers. That’s why it’s my favorite.” — Counseling_grad, REDDIT
PEAR CUT. Chosen by Margot Robbie for her own engagement ring, the PEAR (or TEARDROP) shape takes it cues from both Oval and Marquise cuts and is a perfect choice for vintage lovers. Due to its pointed tip, PEAR cuts can chip and work especially well in a bezel setting. And since more of the stone can be seen from above, they tend to appear larger than they are. The perfect choice if size matters! (Shown: Platinum setting with Pear-shaped side stones.)
“I love how the Pear is still unique even if it’s becoming more popular.” — Active-Neck1330, REDDIT
CUSHION CUT. This exquisite cut is often compared to a pillow (thanks to its square cut with rounded corners) and surged in popularity after Prince Harry presented Meghan Markle with a CUSHION-cut diamond ring in 2017. Its 58 larger facets increase the stone's brilliance and display an old-world aesthetic that's perfect for vintage settings, though it can look beautiful in a contemporary bezel setting or slim pavé band.
ASSCHER CUT. Loved by the fashion-conscious ever since Carrie Bradshaw modeled one during her brief engagement to Aidan Shaw on Sex and the City, the ASSCHER is named after the jeweler who patented the design in 1902. Popular during the Art Deco period, it’s like an Emerald cut, though its 58 facets are larger and wide set (three rows on the top, three on the bottom). And since it doesn't have sharp edges, it's less prone to breakage. (Shown: Accented Setting in 14K white gold.)
As you consider these cuts, ask yourself the following questions: Do you like modern jewelry? Or frequent vintage or consignment shops? Do you have shorter fingers? Dream of a setting with multiple stones? Or foresee wearing your ring during physical activity? The answers will help ensure your diamond remains the one you always dreamed of.