Behind the cut: Rounded silhouettes

With a variety of shapes available, choosing the right cut for your engagement ring can be an overwhelming process, so we have put together a selection of the most popular rounded cuts on offer.

Round cut

The most important feature of an engagement ring is its sparkle (second of course to the emotional sentiment), which is why the round cut is the most popular. The round cut’s spectacular sparkle is achieved by an expertly cut technique which focuses on creating perfect symmetry and proportion. A drawback however is that in order to get the circular silhouette, between 28-38% of the rough stone will be wasted which increases price.

Oval cut

The elongated silhouette is incredibly elegant and was the chosen shape for Prince Dianna’s sapphire engagement ring, now owned by Kate Middleton. Traditional oval cuts share the same elegance of round cuts, but a larger surface area helps to make stones look bigger allowing you to get more for your money. The cut also creates less waste which helps to make it a cheaper alternative without scrimping on style.

Marquise cut

The marquise cut’s pointed elliptical shape is perfect for helping elongate fingers to appear slenderer. The cut owes its name to Jean-Antoinette Poisson, who was the chief mistress to King Louis XV of France. Enthralled by her lips, it is said that the King commissioned a jeweller to design a cut which reflected their ‘perfect’ shape. Poisson was also given the title of marquise of and thus, the marquise diamond was born. Although the cut radiates elegance, the craftsman chosen to cut the stone must be carefully considered as the two points require perfect alignment; a lack of symmetry will have a negative effect on the finished look.

Heart-shape

Universally known as the symbol of love and romance, the heart-shaped cut is one of the most popular – and expensive – styles of engagement rings. Although nowadays the shape is only synonymous with love, it used to also be a symbol of royalty. An early acknowledgement of the cut dates back to 1463 when the Duke of Milan described the mystical quests of Cosimo de Medici, of Florence’s political dynasty, as a heart-shaped diamond. Afterwards, popularity for the shape grew and in 1562 a heart-shaped diamond ring was sent by Mary Queen of Scots to her sister, Queen Elizabeth. The cut then became known as a symbol of goodwill and friendship.

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