Most Popular Engagement Ring Shapes of 2022
Every year we like to do a quick recap of the most popular diamond shapes among our clients! Think you can guess the correct order?
No. 6: Pear Shape
Coming in at number 6, the pear shape. In 2021, pears were the fifth most popular shape among Lauren B clients but this year, it has switched places with the emerald cut. As discussed in Diamonds 101: The Pear Shape, pears are one of the most unique shapes in that no two pear shapes are cut the same!
Pears are a hybrid between the round brilliant and the marquise cut. This cut has a higher length-to-width ratio than all other fancy cuts except for the marquise cut, which provides more finger coverage and gives the illusion of a larger center stone.
Shopping Tips
- Look for pear shapes with an “I” Color or better to ensure you get the whitest face-up look.
- Pear shapes hide imperfections well, and we can safely recommend eye-clean SI2 clarity diamonds and above for this shape.
- Pears appear larger than their actual carat weight so you can size down and still have the appearance of a bigger stone!
Most Popular Pear Shape Engagement Ring Styles
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
No. 5: The Emerald Cut
The emerald cut dates back to the 1500s when gem cutters invented it for actual emerald gemstones. This specific cut grew in popularity due to the lack of pressure during the cutting process. Nonetheless, the term “emerald cut” was not used to describe this design until the 1920s.
Emerald cut diamonds are a part of the step-cut family (which also includes Asscher cuts and Hybrid Step-Cuts) meaning their faceting is parallel. They are characterized by their rectangular shape and cut corners, similar to that of a radiant. They have an open table that lets you look clearly into the diamond. Emerald cuts are not one of the brilliant shapes thus lacking the fire and brilliance of radiants, cushions, rounds, etc. However, the elongated shape allows for larger flashes of sparkle when light rays reflect through them.
Shopping Tips
- Because of the clear[er] appearance of emeralds, there is more flexibility when it comes to color; we suggest staying within the D-J range for the best quality
- Clarity in emeralds is incredibly important; VS2 clarity and up is best. An eye-clean SI1 may exist but would be extremely rare
- Emerald cut ratios will typically vary from 1.3 for a more compact look all the way to 1.60 and above for a more elongated rectangular look
Most Popular Emerald Cut Engagement Ring Styles
4.20 carat Emerald Cut Diamond Super Slim Engagement Ring
3.02 Carat Emerald Cut Diamond Three-Stone Engagement Ring
2.70 carat Emerald Cut Lab Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
No. 4: The Cushion Cut
The cushion cut diamond is classified by its square or rectangular shape with soft, rounded edges, which takes on a pillow-like appearance. The faceting of a modified brilliant cushion cut diamond places emphasis on brilliance and sparkle, while effectively hiding diamond imperfections and diamond color.
Cushion cut diamonds have several cut styles that reveal a slightly different overall appearance from style to style: the brilliant cut, the antique cut or “old mine cut,” and crushed ice.
Since introducing a slew of antique cushion cut engagement rings and loose stones to our collection, we’ve seen a surge in popularity for the vintage cut.
Shopping Tips
- For a regular Cushion Modified, opt for I color and above if you want it to look very white. Cushion brilliants and hybrids tend to hide color very well so we can safely recommend a J color or higher.
- If you choose an Antique Cushion Cut and want it to appear vintage-looking, opt for K color or lower
- Cushions tend to fall within the length-to-width ratios of 1:1 for a more square look and all the way to 1:1.2 for a more rectangular/elongated look
Most Popular Cushion Cut Engagement Ring Styles
3 Carat Cushion Cut Diamond Signature Wrap Solitaire Ring
3.01 ct Cushion Cut Halo Platinum Engagement Ring
2.02 ct Cushion Cut Diamond Pave Engagement Ring
No. 3: The Round “Brilliant” Cut
One of the most classic engagement ring shapes is notably the round cut. So how did rounds become so synonymous with engagement rings?
The Round Brilliant cut was first introduced in 1919 by a Belgian Mathematician named Marcel Tolkowsky. With his background in mathematics, he calculated the precise angles and proportions needed to create the most brilliant diamond cut possible.
While round diamonds were already in existence, they had never been this brilliant, or light-catching. With this new cut, round brilliant diamonds also became known as Ideal Cuts. Previous round cut diamonds were Rose Cuts, Single Cuts, and the Old European Cut.
Shopping Tips
- Round Brilliant diamonds are great at masking color. With that in mind, we recommend opting for a stone within the D-J range to effectively hide any potential color
- Round brilliant diamonds hide color so well, you could opt for a stone with a minimum of SI2 clarity
- With its perfect symmetry, round diamonds appear larger than any other shape of the same carat weight thus giving you the opportunity to opt for a stone with a lower carat weight for the appearance of a bigger diamond
Most Popular Round “Brilliant” Cut Engagement Ring Styles
3.02 carat Round Lab Diamond Engagement Ring
3.00ct Round Diamond Yellow Gold Solitaire Six-Prong Ring
2 carat Round Lab Diamond Three-Stone Engagement Ring
No. 2: The Radiant Cut
Radiants are one of the most brilliant cuts available. With 70 facets, the opportunity for light reflection is unparalleled. The cut was invented by Henry Grossbard in 1977 due to the demand for a cut that was similar in shape to an emerald cut but had more sparkle. By combining the elongated, rectangular shape and cut corners of the emerald cut with the brilliance of a round cut, the radiant cut was born.
If you’re looking for a modern shape with the most amount of sparkle, look no further than a radiant cut engagement ring!
Shopping Tips
- Radiants are more forgiving in color so we recommend opting for a radiant diamond with a J Color or higher
- Due to the number of facets and their pattern, we suggest choosing a radiant stone with SI1 or above, SI2 if the stone is eye clean.
- While some clients prefer a more square-shaped radiant, others prefer the classic elongated version. For an elongated radiant cut diamond, an acceptable length-to-width ratio would be 1.15:1 all the way up to 1.40:1. For a square radiant cut your ratio is going to be in the range of 1:1 and a little above
Most Popular Radiant Cut Engagement Ring Styles
5.12 carat Radiant Cut Lab Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring
2.62 carat Radiant Cut Diamond Halo Three Row Engagement Ring
2.75 carat Radiant Cut Lab Diamond Three-Stone Engagement Ring
No. 1: The Oval Cut
The number one most popular engagement ring shape, for three years running, is the oval cut.
This elongated diamond shape provides abundant finger coverage with a longer length measurement than other fancy-shaped diamonds. Despite the generous finger coverage, the oval cut diamond appears delicate and dainty with a slimming effect on the finger.
Shopping Tips
- Because of their large surface area, ovals can show color more easily than other elongated shapes. For this reason, we recommend opting for an I Color or above for the whitest face-up appearance
- Ovals are excellent at hiding imperfections so we can safely recommend going for a clarity grade as low as SI2—as long as it is eye-clean!
- A rounder and more compact oval is going to have a ratio in the 1:1.3 range whereas a more elongated oval is going to have a ratio above 1.4, closer to a 1.5 ratio
Most Popular Oval Cut Engagement Ring Styles
3.20 carat Lab Grown Oval Diamond Signature Wrap Engagement Ring
3.71 carat Oval Lab Diamond Signature Wrap Engagement Ring
2.20 Carat Oval Diamond Three-Stone Engagement Ring
The Perfect Ring for the Perfect Partner
Do you see your favorite shape on this list? Does it rank as high as you thought it would?
Whether you answered yes or no, we at Lauren B have an extensive inventory of loose stones and engagement rings to match everyone’s unique tastes and preferences. If you can’t find what you’re looking for in our inventory, one of our talented design consultants will source the perfect stone for you or custom design the engagement ring of your dreams! Check out our Instagram for more ring inspo or schedule an appointment below!
