When it comes to buying a diamond ring, there are many different factors to consider. From color, clarity, and cut to style, metal type, and ring band, each characteristic will impact the final price of your gorgeous new piece.

If you’re ready to take the next step in your relationship and propose marriage to your girlfriend with a diamond engagement ring, then you’ll need to consider what the perfect ring will look like on her finger. After all, different women have different hands; some are long and slender with fingers tapering towards the knuckles whereas others are broader with thick fingers that don’t taper at all.

As such, depending on your partner’s unique characteristics as well as personal tastes (and your budget), there are many different considerations you must make when choosing between so many excellent options…

Cushion-Shaped

Cushion-shaped diamonds are extremely popular and are often associated with romance and love. This diamond shape has softer, rounded corners, a high crown, and a large table. Because of its design, the amount of light and sparkle it reflects is greater compared to the other cuts, making it an excellent choice for engagement rings.

If you’re looking for a vintage setting, this shape is the best choice to go for.

Cushions are also perfect for large stones since it boasts an elegant sparkle.

Radiant Cut

Featuring a more distinctive angular shape, the radiant cut is known for its clear lines and excellent brilliance. It was created in 1977 by a diamond Cutter named Henry Grossbard, who aimed to combine the emerald’s symmetric shape with a round cut’s sparkle.

It’s an excellent choice for brides who wants a classic shape with a timeless style. Considered to be an extremely rare type of diamond cut, selections of stones from this cut might be limited. If you want a larger stone, this type of cut might not be the one for you since it tends to make the diamond appear smaller due to its angled facets.

Marquise-Shaped

The Marquise Diamond shape is also known as the Navette cut and is popular for its regal feel. It features a wide girdle (or widest point on the diamond) that tapers towards each end. Its unique shape not only creates an illusion of a bigger stone but also elongates the wearer’s finger when set vertically.

However, this shape requires extra care when worn. Due to its elongated design and delicate pointed edges, the risk of chipping and breakage is much higher compared to smooth-edged shapes like rounded and brilliant diamonds.

Many people prefer the marquise shape over the cushion shape due to the dramatic tapering at the ends of the stone. The most common carat weight range for marquise diamonds is between 2 carats and 5 carats.

Pear-Shaped

Pear-shaped diamonds feature an old-world look that is perfect for brides-to-be who love vintage styles. Its elegant shape not only makes it one of the most popular choices, but it’s also one of the most brilliant shapes among all diamond shapes. Similar to Marquise, this type of cut tends to appear larger than it actually is due to its pointed tip.

Pear diamonds can also be smaller in carat weight compared to similarly sized cushion-shaped diamonds. They typically range in carat weight from 1 carat to as large as 5 carats. The most common carat weight range for pear diamonds is between 1 carat and 2 carats.

Round Cut

Round diamonds are a classic shape that has been used in engagement ring designs for many years. Considering that its symmetrical shape is known for maximizing its brilliance and fire, it’s no surprise that brides-to-be have this on the top of their list. This classic cut works well in different settings like solitaire, two to three-stone settings, and even in geometric settings.

Round diamonds can be any size, but those that are 1 carat or larger are typically called “retail” diamonds. Retail diamonds are larger in size compared to smaller diamonds sold by jewelers. Round diamonds typically range in carat weight from 1 carat to as large as 10 carats.

Asscher Cut

Asscher diamonds are a modified version of the traditional round diamond shape. The main difference between the two is the Asscher diamond has a “squared off” end, whereas the round diamond has a “rounded” end. Just like round diamonds, Asscher diamonds are designed to maximize brilliance.

This type of diamond cut gained popularity in the fashion-conscious crowd ever since it was modeled by Carrie Bradshaw during her brief wedding to Aidan Shaw in the movie Sex and the City.

If you want something that maintains its radiance and sparkle through time, this shape is what you have to go for. Because of its squared-off ends, it’s not prone to breakage and looks great in different settings.

Emerald Cut

Known for its rectangular step cut with cropped corners, the emerald cut is one of the most timeless of all diamond cuts. This diamond cut dates as far back as the 1500s, originally created for emeralds, hence the name. Its geometric cut was designed to minimize pressure on the stone during the cutting process.

With its alluring symmetry, long silhouette, and striking step cut, this diamond shape is one of the most popular choices among Hollywood celebrities. Its elongated shape makes the finger look more slender and longer when set vertically, perfect for those engagement ring selfies.

However, its dramatic brilliance comes with a price. Due to its fewer facets, the clarity of the diamond will greatly influence the stone’s overall look. It’s advised to invest in a diamond with a higher clarity grade if you’re opting for this type of cut.

Heart Cut

There’s no mistaking that this diamond cut radiates the most meaningful message out of all the diamond cuts. Widely known as a symbol of eternal love and commitment, this cut also boasts a feminine silhouette that can be used in a wide variety of settings like solitaire or a more elaborate setting.

Due to its more complicated symmetry, you might end up paying more for this type of cut. The cutter must have exceptional skills to achieve exact symmetry and is one of the most difficult shapes to craft. If you’re looking for something trendy, this is the perfect diamond cut for you.

Oval Cut

Similar to a round cut, the oval shape features soft edges with a more elongated look. It’s a popular choice for brides-to-be who wants flashy and brilliant stones in their ring. They often come at a lower cost compared to round diamonds, which means you get the same carat weight but with a larger-looking diamond, thanks to its elongated look.

If you want something that’s out-of-the-ordinary but still boasts a timeless and classic vibe, this diamond cut is the one for you.

Princess Cut

The princess cut is a real draw for those who love a contemporary look in their ring. This type of cut is known to be the most brilliant of all sqaure-shaped diamonds. While it’s a prime choice for any ring style, it’s widely popular for engagement rings and a stunning choice that will surely wow your fiancee. It features a face-up shape complemented with symmetrical edges that boast tons of brilliance at a lesser price compared to round-cut diamonds.

It has numerous facets and is a great cut to use if you want to hide imperfections in the stone. Be sure to choose a more protective setting since this type of cut is more prone to chipping.