At Vancouver Diamonds, we firmly believe that the value of an engagement ring comes not from the cost but the heartfelt meaning behind it. While what you spend is always a real contributing factor, it should not be the major factor behind your choice. Each twinkle of every facet should remind you of the strength of your love and commitment, the future of family, and the upcoming celebration of the joyous day when you say “I do.”
In this Engagement Ring 101 tutorial, let us demonstrate the seemingly endless options available when deciding what type of diamond to choose for the creation of an unforgettable ring. For example, you may not realize that a single Round diamond is powerful enough to hold its own on the finger but is also versatile in being complimented by numerous settings.
As a wholesale dealer of diamonds, our process is different from the retail store experience, as we encourage the involvement of the purchaser. All appointments are with our owner and expert Josh Raber in a private no-pressure setting. Start with the stone selection and assist with the design to ensure that the ring you will be gifting (or wearing yourself!) is exactly what you desire.
The selection of loose diamonds at Vancouver Diamonds is vast, and Josh will present many different sizes and cuts for your selection.
Below is a fantastic chart to reference when you are mentally designing your ring.
The most popular shape for engagement rings is consistently the Round. Here are six examples of the amazing versatility of the Round shape for engagement rings. As Round diamonds offer the most brilliance, they can stand alone or work well within multi-stone settings. Depending on your taste and budget, the Round may well be your perfect stone.
Round
Semi-Round
The Semi-Round shape is desirable due to the multitude of facets that reflect light with an otherworldly brilliance. Variations on the Semi-Round theme include:
- Oval
This cut is a more elongated version of the Round cut and is seen in other types of gemstones. Its elongated shape helps the fingers to appear long and slender. - Marquise
A further elongated version of the Oval cut, the Marquise produces an exquisite result. - Heart
With the proper proportions in mind, this cut carries an image of love more effectively than any other cut on the list. - Pear
The Pear cut often appears to be larger than its actual size because more of it is visible while viewing from above.
Step Cut
- Emerald
Cut geometrically with long, sleek steps, the Emerald cut may have less sparkle than others but features a high degree of clarity and a sophisticated look. - Asscher/Square Emerald
This square stone comes in a perfectly symmetrical shape, with lines running parallel to the diamond’s edge. The Asscher shows similar clarity and sparkle to the Emerald cut. - Carre
Featuring a unique style of facets which cascade down the side of the diamond-like steps, the Carre cut is found in both square and rectangular shapes.
Square Cut
- Princess
The Princess cut diamond features either 57- or 76-facets in a pyramidal shape and is in high demand as it is hard to find the perfect Princess cut. - Cushion
With an elongated rectangular shape and 58-facets, the Cushion cut features rounded corners in the luxurious form of a pillow. - Radiant
70 scattered facets create the look of shattered glass on the square face of a Radiant cut, which allows color to be amplified.
This list of diamond cuts is only the beginning of a journey towards finding the perfect engagement ring. If you are a fan of bridal magazines (and Pinterest), you know that style is subjective, and shapes are always moving in and out of popularity.
Ask us all the questions you need to feel comfortable with your decisions, but above all, remember to consider the desires of the person who is on the receiving end. Ultimately, they will be wearing it forever.
