Diamonds 101: The Pear Shape
When most people think of classic diamond shapes, they don’t think of pears. However, in recent years, pear shapes have held their place as one of the most popular diamond shapes! Their unique cut makes them a great choice for those who want something classic with a little twist.
A Brief History
Pear-shaped diamonds, sometimes referred to as teardrop cuts, date all the way back to the late 1400s when Lodewyk van Bercken, a Belgian gem cutter, created a new type of diamond cutting wheel. Within the same year as the invention of the Scaif, he also created the pear-shaped diamond.
Unfortunately, this cut took some time to be appreciated as when it was first invented, the cutting process caused much of the rough diamond to be lost. Over time, the cutting process became more efficient and pear-shaped diamonds began to grow in popularity.
What to Look For
As with any diamond, remember the Four C’s: cut, color, clarity, and carat. Check out these helpful shopping tips when comparing pears.
Cut
Pear-shaped diamonds are often referred to as a hybrid cut between an oval or round and a marquise; with a rounded top and pointed bottom. They are also a brilliant cut with 58 facets. This cut also tends to be very bright and reflective, thanks to its unique shape. They also have a lot of fire, which is the dispersion of light into rainbows of color.
Of course, there are some drawbacks to pears as well. They can be more prone to chipping than other shapes and look “pointy” if they are not cut correctly. Fun Fact: no two pear shapes are ever cut exactly the same even if they have identical carat weights!
Color
Like oval and marquise, pear diamonds can show color easily. We recommend ‘I’ color and above to ensure you get the whitest face-up look.
Clarity
Pear shapes hide imperfections well, and we can safely recommend eye-clean SI2 clarity diamonds and above for this shape. Like oval and marquise diamonds, some pears have a more obvious bow-tie effect. While this is normal, we recommend looking for stones that have a less obvious bow tie.
Carat
One advantage of pear-shaped diamonds is that they can appear larger than they actually are. Because of their tapered shape, pears tend to have a larger surface area than other shapes of similar carat weight. If you’re looking for a diamond that makes a statement, this might be just the shape for you!
Pear Shape Ratios
When it comes to choosing a pear-cut diamond, the best ratio falls between 1.45 and 1.7. The 1.4 ratio will give a shorter and more rounded appearance with a 1.7 ratio being long and thinner. There are, of course, ratios in between so seeing what looks appealing to you is important.
Too much width can make the diamond appear squat, while too much length can make it look too thin. The best ratio falls right in the middle, giving you a beautiful and balanced stone.
Regardless of the ratio, this shape is very flattering on the hand. Due to their elongated shape, this stunning cut can help to make the finger look longer and more slender, giving your hand the best look it can have!
Pear Cut vs. Other Related Shapes
Though they might be considered less traditional than other shapes, pears offer a number of advantages that make them worth considering.
Pear vs. Oval
Pears and ovals are both brilliant cuts with 57-58 facets each. The main difference between the two shapes is the former’s pointed tip. Because of this delicate and thin feature, they are slightly more fragile. In engagement rings, pears are generally kept secure with five or six prongs (to protect the tip) whereas ovals only require the standard four. Additionally, ovals have two lines of symmetry while pears only have one.
Pear vs. Marquise
Like pear diamonds, marquise diamonds are long and slender with a tapered end. However, marquise diamonds are typically cut thinner than pears making them appear longer on the finger than pears of equal carat weight.
Pear vs. Heart
Heart shape diamonds are nowhere near as popular as pears, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important. In fact, heart-shaped diamonds are in fact pear-shaped diamonds, just with a cleft top! Additionally, heart shapes are also brilliant cuts. However, these diamonds are naturally heavy-set and must be cut with extreme accuracy to ensure maximum brilliance. More so than with other cuts, heart-shaped diamonds should always be seen in person to ensure the proportions and overall shape are well-designed.
Popular Lauren B Pear Shape Rings + Jewelry
Like any other shape, there are settings that we’ve found are most popular among our clients. If you aren’t sure how you want to set your teardrop diamond, check out some of our most popular engagement rings, wedding bands, and jewelry!
Engagement Rings
4.03 carat Pear Shape Lab Diamond Pave Prong Engagement Ring
4.06ct Pear Shape Diamond Three-Stone Engagement Ring
2.01ct Pear Shape Diamond Halo Engagement Ring
Wedding Bands
3.40 ct Pear Shape Diamond East-West Eternity Band
East-West Pear Shape Diamond Wedding Band
3.40ct Pear Shape Angled-Set Eternity Band
Jewelry
1.23 carat Lab-Grown Pear Diamond Solitaire Pendant GIA
Toi Et Moi Pear Shape Yellow Gold Ring
Famous Pear-Shaped Engagement Rings
The very first notable engagement ring of this cut was actually that of Empress Josephine, given to her by her husband Napoleon Bonaparte. Comprising two teardrops, one sapphire and one diamond, situated in the yin-yang style, this was also the very first “Toi-et-Moi” ring.
Probably the most famous pear-shaped engagement ring was that of Elizabeth Taylor… again. The enormous 69.42 carat diamond was given to her by her ex-husband, Richard Burton. The stone has a history of its own, but for the time it was owned by Taylor, she wore it as a ring and as a decadent pendant to Princess Grace of Monaco’s Scorpio birthday party.
Another famous pear-shaped engagement ring is that of Victoria Beckham. While the former spice girl has a collection of 15 different engagement rings, one of her favorites is her 17 carat ring, given to her in 2004.
5.00ct Pear Shape Diamond Three-Row Band Engagement Ring
Arguably one of the most controversial engagement rings was that of Ariana Grande, given to her by ex-fiance Pete Davidson. Her ring reportedly cost Davidson $93,000 with a VVS1 center stone. Our best guess is the diamond was in the 3 carat range.
1.62 carat Pear Shape Lab Diamond Double Edge Halo Ring
Cardi B is another celebrity with a pear-shaped engagement ring with a halo. However, hers is a little more unique than most—her engagement ring features a double halo surrounding her center stone, the outer halo consisting of pink diamonds!
0.61 Carat Pear Shape Diamond Double Halo Engagement Ring
Last but certainly not least, is Anna Kournikova. A tennis superstar, Kournikova has been with her long-term partner Enrique Iglesias for 21 years. While they share three kids together, and two giant engagement rings, Kournikova and Iglesias have never married. Her most notable engagement ring is a natural, fancy pink diamond with trillion side stones.
Other celebrities with pear-shaped engagement rings include Paris Hilton, Katherine Heigl, and Sophie Turner.
Is Pear the Shape for You?
When it comes to choosing a diamond shape, there’s no right or wrong answer—it’s all about what you prefer. If you’re drawn to the unique beauty of a pear-shaped diamond, go for it! Just be sure to do your research, so you know what to expect before making your purchase. We’re always happy to help you make the best decision for your needs, so please don’t hesitate to email info@laurenb.com with any questions you may have. You can also schedule an appointment with one of our knowledgeable design consultants below to learn more about pear shapes.
