Diamond
Buying 101 :: Fancy Shaped Diamonds
Since fancy
shapes are all very different, unique characteristics
determine quality for each shape. Select your
shape below to learn how to recognize the most
beautiful diamond.
      
Princess
This is the
most popular fancy-shaped diamond. Its beautiful
brilliance and unique square shape makes it a
favorite for engagement rings. The princess has
pointed corners and is traditionally square in
shape. When choosing a color grade, consider that
while the price of a J-color fancy-shaped diamond
is exceptional, color may be slightly visible
in its corners. So if you're concerned about the
diamond you've chosen, call a diamond and jewelry
consultant who can help you be sure that the diamond
is perfect for you. Also, princess-cut diamonds
can vary greatly in how square or rectangular
they are. To find the dimension of princess you
want, look for the length-to-width ratio on each
diamond's detail page, available at Blue Nile .
This will indicate what the diamond will look
like when viewing it from above. Here are length-to-width
ratios for princess-cut diamond shapes that are
pleasing to the eye.
For a square, look for 1
to 1.10. For a rectangle, look for 1.50
to 2.00.
Back
to Top
Emerald
What makes
this shape different is its pavilion, which is
cut with rectangular facets to create a unique
brilliance. This shape also highlights the clarity
of a diamond, so if you choose an emerald-cut
with an SI clarity grade, be sure to review the
clarity plot on the diamond certificate. If there
are inclusions on the map that concern you, call
a diamond and jewelry consultant who can view
the diamond and help you decide if it's right
for you. Also, when choosing a color grade, consider
that while the price of a J-color fancy-shaped
diamond is exceptional, color may be slightly
visible in its corners. So if you're concerned
about the diamond you've chosen, call a diamond
and jewelry consultant who can help you be sure
that this is the right diamond. To find the dimension
of emerald you want, look for the length-to-width
ratio on each diamond's detail page, available
at Blue Nile.
This will indicate what the diamond will look
like when viewing it from above.
For a square shape, look
for anything in the 1.00 to 1.10 range.
For a more rectangular looking stone, we highly
recommend a LxW ratio of 1.30 to 1.40.
Back
to Top
Oval
An oval diamond
has beautiful brilliance that's similar to a round
diamond. Oval diamonds are also very popular as
their length can accentuate long, slender fingers.
To find the dimension of oval you want, look for
the length-to-width ratio on each diamond's detail
page, available at Blue Nile.
This will indicate what the diamond will look
like when viewing it from above.
For oval diamonds, look
for length-to-width ratios from 1.33 to 1.66.
Back
to Top
Marquise
The shape of
a marquise diamond can maximize carat weight,
giving you a much larger-looking diamond. This
fancy-shaped brilliant-cut diamond looks beautiful
set with round or pear-shaped side stones, and
the length of the marquise makes fingers appear
long and slender. When choosing a color grade,
consider that while the price of a J-color fancy-shaped
diamond is exceptional, color may be slightly
visible in its corners. So if you're concerned
about the diamond you've chosen, call a diamond
and jewelry consultant who can help you be sure
the diamond you chose is perfect for you. To find
the dimension of marquise you want, look for the
length-to-width ratio on each diamond's detail
page, available at Blue Nile.
This will indicate what the diamond will look
like when viewing it from above.
Look for length-to-width
ratios from 1.75 to 2.25 for marquise-cut diamonds.
Back
to Top
Pear
This fancy-shaped
brilliant-cut diamond has a rounded end and a
single point. Many who like the look of the round
but want a fancy shape alternative choose the
pear-shape diamond. If you choose a longer pear
shape, the length of the diamond creates a slimming
effect on the fingers. When choosing a color grade,
consider that while the price of a J-color fancy-shaped
diamond is exceptional, color may be slightly
visible in its corner. So if you're concerned
about the diamond you've chosen, call a diamond
and jewelry consultant who can help you be sure
the pear you chose is perfect for you. To find
the dimension of pear-shape you want, look for
the length-to-width ratio on each diamond's detail
page, available at Blue Nile.
This will indicate what the diamond will look
like when viewing it from above.
Look for length-to-width
ratios from 1.50 to 1.75 for pear-shaped diamonds.
Back
to Top
Radiant
Trimmed corners
are the signature of this fancy-shaped diamond,
and they also make the diamond very versatile.
A radiant-cut looks equally beautiful set with
either baguette or round side-diamonds. When choosing
a color grade, consider that while the price of
a J-color fancy-shaped diamond is exceptional,
color may be slightly visible in its corners.
So if you're concerned about the diamond you've
chosen, call a diamond and jewelry consultant
who can help you be sure the radiant you chose
is perfect for you. Also, radiant-cut diamonds
can vary in their degree of rectangularity. To
find the dimension of radiant you want, look for
the length-to-width ratio on each diamond's detail
page, available at Blue Nile.
This will indicate what the diamond will look
like when viewing it from above.
Here are length-to-width
ratios for radiant diamonds shapes that are pleasing
to the eye.
For a square, look for 1 to 1.10, and for a rectangle,
look for 1.50 to 2.00.
Back
to Top
Heart
The heart is
the ultimate symbol of love. And since most heart-shape
diamonds are nearly round, each has the advantage
of having a nearly round pavilion that provides
its beautiful brilliance. When choosing a color
grade, consider that while the price of a J-color
fancy-shaped diamond is exceptional, color may
be slightly visible in its corners. So if you're
concerned about the diamond you've chosen, call
a diamond and jewelry consultant who can help
you be sure the diamond you chose is perfect for
you. To find the dimension of heart-shape you
want, look for the length-to-width ratio on each
diamond's detail page, available at Blue Nile.
This will indicate what the diamond will look
like when viewing it from above.
Look for length-to-width
ratios from .90 to 1.10 for heart-shaped diamonds.
Back
to Top |
