Most Popular Diamond Shapes 2020 Edition

Like any fashion, engagement ring trends change over time; that goes for both the overall design of the ring and the center-stone shape itself. In this post, we are going to focus on the Most Popular Diamond Shapes as it stands near the end of the year 2020.

To take it a step further, even the particular cutting style of the shape itself can become more popular at any given time.  For example, square radiant cut diamonds used to be the most requested type of radiant, however, the elongated ones have far surpassed them in recent years.  The ratio of a diamond is its length divided by its width and is something we will reference often in this article.  While the round brilliant cut diamond will always be towards the top of everyone’s wish list, fancy shape diamonds (non-round brilliant) will trend up and down depending on the current fashion trends for engagement ring shoppers.

Using data from the many engagement rings we have sold in the past several years we are going to countdown the most popular shapes, from least to most, and also provide you with insight into what our clients love most about them.  While reading the below keep in mind one constant: engagement ring shoppers right now are looking for the most sparkle and finger size coverage.  In parenthesis next to each diamond shape, we have listed what percentage that particular shape accounted for of the total engagement rings sold.  Notice how there is a huge difference between the popularity of the 5 least common shapes and the 4 most popular ones. We also provide you with the most popular color and clarity combinations for each shape based on the data we have compiled from the many in-stock and custom engagement rings we have sold to our clients from all corners of the world.  Referencing this information should guide you when it comes to diamond center-stone shopping for the engagement ring of your choice.

Most Popular Diamond Shapes 2020 Edition

 

#11 Heart Shape Diamonds (less than 1%)

Heart shape diamonds are a romantic shape as their name would suggest, and feature a brilliant style faceting pattern that helps it give off a strong sparkle.  This shape was very popular during the 1980s and even the ’90s. however, it has fallen out of favor with today’s engagement ring shoppers. This is not to say it is any less beautiful than other shapes as it does provide a very unique appearance once set into any custom engagement ring design.  This shape also makes for a great choice to use as a diamond pendant and other jewelry pieces.  The overall cut of this diamond is very important to ensure it has the proper cleft at the top and graceful sides to give you that classic heart outline.  Because this diamond is not highly sought after, diamond manufacturers are producing less of them so if you find the right one make sure to jump on it! 

Most Popular Diamond Quality Combination:

‘F’ color and ‘SI1’ clarity make up a large share of the heart-shaped diamond engagement rings we have created.  While there is not a lot of statistics to base this off of, it can be a good starting point.

Quick Tip: Aim for a length to width ratio of 1:1, or less, to give you the most classic heart shape look.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#10 Asscher Cut Diamonds  (less than 1%)

This diamond shape is known for its elegance and features the same step cut faceting and cut corners as an emerald cut but in a square form.  You will usually find this center-stone as part of a three-stone design or in a classic solitaire that helps showcase its clear, mirror-like appearance.  Because Asscher cut diamonds are square, they actually have a more concentrated sparkle than emerald cuts as the facets are more centralized. On the flip side, this also means they will not provide the same finger coverage from north to south on the hand which is why many clients tend to favor the emerald as the step cut diamond of choice. 

Most Popular Diamond Quality Combination:

Asscher cut diamonds do an excellent job of masking color, however, inclusions are easier to see within the stone. For this reason, you can strongly consider ‘J’ color and ‘VS2’ clarity as your minimums for color and clarity respectively and still walk away with an amazing diamond at an affordable price point.

Quick Tip: There is an in-between ratio of around 1.15:1 which can be considered an elongated Asscher cut and can be a happy medium for someone who is torn between a square and elongated shape, but is set on a step-cut center diamond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#9 Hybrid Step Cut Diamonds (less than 1%)

‘Hybrid Step Cut’ is a phrase we coined for this shape that combines different aspects of an emerald, radiant, and cushion cut.  It has the same crown facets as a radiant cut, round corners of a cushion cut and the unique faceting pattern on the pavilion (underneath) give it a step-cut appearance like an emerald cut; here is a video showing all four of these diamonds side by side. 

While this newly introduced shape may not be at the top of the charts, it is definitely an eye-catcher and possesses some of the best qualities of the more popular shapes.  Because it requires extreme precision to manufacture this cut, they are very rare.  You can watch a video of this diamond here

Most Popular Diamond Quality Combination:

Unlike pure step cut diamonds, such as emerald or Asscher cut, you can find some beautiful SI1 or even SI2 clarity diamonds within this shape. Because of the extra faceting underneath, it can hide inclusions better than those shapes.

Quick Tip: Because of the lack of inventory on the market, this diamond cut will not be listed on any mass retailer websites and is something that only Lauren B and a few select vendors may have in stock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#8 Princess Cut Diamond (less than 1%)

Another square shape that ranks towards the lower end of our list, a princess cut is known for its perfectly square shape and sharp corners.  Because they are brilliant cuts they will have more sparkle than an Asscher cut which has the same parallel sides and square ratio.  This diamond cut was actually the second most popular shape in the 1990s and early 2000s, second only to round when it came to an engagement ring center-stone shape. Now clients who want a square shape will usually go for a square cushion cut as they prefer its softer appearance.  Also, the general rise in demand for elongated shapes as a whole has added to the fall in popularity of princess cut diamonds. 

Most Popular Diamond Quality Combination:

Without much data to base this off of, we see an even spread from ‘D’ to ‘H’ color and VS to SI clarity. Generally speaking, princess cut diamonds are similar to rounds in that they mask both color and inclusions well.

Quick Tip:  Because the pointed corners are more susceptible to chipping, they should always be protected by prongs and worn with care.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#7 Marquise Cut Diamond (1%)

The marquise cut diamond is definitely the outlier when it comes to diamond trends.  Many have wrongly predicted that this shape would catch up to the popularity of other elongated shapes like ovals and pears in recent years, but that has yet to come to fruition.  Why is that you may ask? We believe that many clients find it too long and tapered with its sharp points not matching well with a client’s taste.  We actually love marquise diamonds and find that they work very well in our delicate pave designs, either on its own or surrounded by a seamless halo.  This 1.4-carat marquise diamond is set into our Signature Wrap design.

Most Popular Diamond Quality Combination:

‘D’ to ‘F’ color and SI clarity constitutes almost 80% of the marquise diamonds we sell.  As with other elongated shapes (see oval and pear below) there is an emphasis on color and more flexibility on the clarity.  Because these stones cover a larger amount of surface area, the color becomes more noticeable to the eye.

Quick Tip: For marquise diamonds, you can be flexible with the ratio. Using 2:1 as a benchmark, going up to a 2.1:1 or down to 1.9:1 ratio will not have a huge impact on the appearance of this extra elongated diamond.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#6 Emerald Cut Diamonds (5%)

Emerald cuts are in a tier above all the previously mentioned diamond shapes when it comes to engagement ring demand.  This step cut faceted shape has an elongated appearance usually anywhere from 1.25:1 for a wider appearance up to 1.5:1 for a longer/narrower look.  Emerald cuts make for a great center-piece in a three-stone ring usually paired with tapered baguette or trapezoid cut side diamonds.  The major draw of this shape is its crystal clear appearance that allows you to see each facet easily. While it may lack the fire and brilliance of a radiant cut diamond, it does provide broader flashes of sparkle when the light catches it.  Emerald cuts are always in steady demand and while they will most likely not shoot up to the top of the charts, it will always have their place in the top half of the diamond shape popularity list. For a more in-depth look at emerald-cut diamonds  watch the IGTV Special Here

Most Popular Diamond Quality Combination: 

‘I’ to ‘J’ color is the overwhelming favorite in terms of color with VVS2 to VS1 being the sweet spot for clarity.  This is all due to its step cut faceting arrangement that hides color and accentuates any inclusions. 

Quick Tip: The main difference between an emerald cut and a baguette-cut diamond is that an emerald has more facets, and cut corners.  For these reasons, it makes it a more suitable choice as an engagement ring center stone.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#5 Pear Shape Diamonds (9%)

This diamond shape is a prime example of one that was out of favor for quite some time but has seen a resurgence in popularity over the past few years as part of the rush towards elongated shapes.   Clients tend to favor this over a marquise as it has a softer, more graceful appearance, with a pointed tip at the bottom and a rounded edge on top. If you are after finger coverage, a pear shape might be your best bet.  Aside from the aforementioned marquise cut, it has the highest length to width ratio with 1.6:1 being a nice target area.  Our clients love setting a pear shape diamond atop a delicate pave band to help provide contrast and give it a floating appearance.   This is a great article we created about picking the perfect pear shape diamond

Most Popular Diamond Quality Combination:  

‘F’ color and ‘SI1’ clarity is the optimum color/clarity combination for this stone. As with marquise and oval diamonds, they tend to show color more easily so focusing on a colorless stone with no visible inclusions in the SI clarity range can be ideal.

Quick Tip: Pear shape diamonds can have a ‘bow-tie’ across the center-stone. This dark area is a result of the stretching of the facets and is always visible to some degree.  To help minimize this you can look for pear shape diamonds that are longer and narrower as opposed to shorter and wider.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#4 Radiant Cut Diamonds (15%)

Radiant cuts come in both square and elongated varieties, with the latter being exceedingly popular in the past couple of years; only a handful of the engagement rings we have sold have been with square radiant cut diamonds.  Out of all the elongated shapes, a properly cut radiant has arguably the most consistent sparkle and brilliance.   It has the same outline as an emerald cut with parallel sides and cut corners, but because it is a brilliant-cut stone it will have a more fiery appearance.  This center-stone is also extremely versatile and looks great as the center-stone piece of a three-stone ring, and looks equally as beautiful in our pave and halo designs; you can view our full catalog of radiant cut rings here.  Most elongated radiant cut diamonds will start at a ratio of around 1.25:1 and they can go as high as about 1.4:1; choosing the perfect one for you is a matter of preference

Most Popular Diamond Quality Combination:

For color, anywhere from ‘D’ to ‘H’ are equally requested, and for clarity VS2 to SI1 is where the clarity concentration is focused.  Radiant cuts are well balanced when it comes to showing/hiding color and clarity.

Quick Tip:  Radiant cut diamonds come in different cutting styles. At Lauren B we focus on the ones that have pavilion (bottom) facets that stretch from the culet to the girdle which helps increase the face-up dimensions of the stone and give it a more defined sparkle. These specially cut radiant are priced at a premium but they are well worth the investment.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#3 Cushion Cut Diamonds (18%)

The cushion cut diamond first gained popularity in the early part of this century and has since been a steady leader as an engagement ring center stone.  Most notably clients love the soft pillow-like appearance provided by its bowed-out sides and rounded corners.

This diamond is the most complex of all the shapes because there are so many variations within it.  Not only do we have square and elongated cushion cuts, but there are also modified, brilliant, and antique cuts.  Watch this video here comparing all these variations with an explanation about the differences in each one.  At first, cushion cut diamonds were mainly used in halo engagement ring designs but are now commonly found in all different styles from delicate pave bands rings, to three-stones and solitaire style rings.

Most Popular Diamond Quality Combination:

For color, it is pretty evenly spread out from ‘D’ to ‘I’ while clarity seems to be a focus with most clients aiming for VS1 to VS2 clarity cushion cut diamonds.

Quick Tip: At Lauren B, we mainly carry the ‘brilliant’ style cushions (similar to the radiant example above) where the facets extend from the culet of the diamond to the girdle. This ensures that the diamond is not hiding weight underneath and results in a larger faceup appearance with a very crisp, defined sparkle.  To learn more see this video explanation here on cushion cut diamonds.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#2 Round Brilliant Diamond ( 22%)

This one might come as a surprise to many because you will typically hear that the round brilliant cut diamond is the most popular diamond shape hands down.  In the long run, this diamond shape will be the overall leader however when you look at it over a shorter time period, a fancy shape diamond can become very on-trend and take the top spot temporarily.   Regardless, the round brilliant diamond does have the most sparkle of any shape because it is cut to very precise angles and measurements. This also gives it a larger surface area since there is no wasted weight underneath.  Moreover, round diamonds are priced higher than all the other shapes not only due to demand but because it requires more of the raw rough diamond material to create it.  As for engagement ring designs, round centers are a winner in almost any style you can think of.  You can browse our full suite of round brilliant diamond engagement rings here

Most Popular Diamond Quality Combination:

H-I-J color and VS2 to SI1 clarity are common combinations that clients aim for in the round brilliant cut.  Because of their high level of brilliance and sparkle, round diamonds are very good at masking color, and being able to go down to the near-colorless range is a great way to save money.

Quick Tip:  An easy way to gauge the sparkle of a round cut diamond is to aim for an excellent cut stone.   It is the only shape that receives a cut grade as per the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grading system. Many websites will list cut grades for non-round brilliant-cut diamonds, however those should be taken with a grain of salt as it is their subjective opinion. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

#1 Oval Cut Diamonds (28%)

The oval cut diamond has seen the greatest rise in popularity for an engagement ring center-stone shape, perhaps ever!  Not long ago, oval diamonds were nowhere to be found and considered to be old fashioned and dated.  Starting in about 2010 a few clients started inquiring about them and we created some beautiful halo and micro pave engagement ring designs that caught the imagination of many.  Since then it has been on a non-stop rise to the top as clients fall head over heels for the finger coverage it provides and it’s very fluid appearance. With rounded edges on both tips, it looks very flattering on the hand and pairs wells with a large variety of our custom engagement ring designs.  

Most Popular Diamond Quality Combination:  

Colorless and SI1-SI2 seem to be the sweet spot for this diamond.  This is very logical as color is crucial for this diamond and certain imperfections can be hidden by its brilliant-cut faceting.  As mentioned previously because there is more surface area to cover in an elongated diamond, the color of the stone becomes more apparent. 

Quick Tip: When oval diamonds began their recent rise in fame, the more common length to width ratio was around 1.3:1 for a wider appearance. As clients become more daring and crave the finger coverage provided by it, we are now seeing diamonds in the 1.45:1 ratio, and even higher, lead the way.  Watch here for more on oval diamond ratios 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most Popular Diamond Shapes 2020 Edition Links & Extras

We hope you enjoyed learning about the Most Popular Diamond Shapes 2020 Edition! For more in-depth information on diamonds and their shape please visit the Education Section of our website.

We look forward to helping you create the most beautiful piece of your dreams! Please reach out to us at info@laurenb.com or speak directly with one of our trusted expert Design Consultants by calling  (212)-391-0633.

Most Popular Diamond Shapes 2020 Edition Links & Extras

Most Popular Diamond Shapes 2020 Edition Links & Extras

Most Popular Diamond Shapes 2020 Edition Links & Extras

Most Popular Diamond Shapes 2020 Edition Links & Extras

Most Popular Diamond Shapes 2020 Edition Links & Extras