The perfect engagement ring for you is out there somewhere, it may even be amongst our vast collection of vintage and antique engagement rings here at AC Silver! If you’re not sure where to begin with your search for the perfect engagement ring, consider beginning with the cut of the gemstone.
The cut is simply the shape of the stone itself, so let’s get to it and have a look at the different cuts you can find for your engagement ring.
The Round Cut Engagement Ring
Let’s start with a timeless classic! The round cut is the most popular cut amongst diamond jewellery and often other gemstones too, as the cut is considered to maximise light reflection and dispersion, which basically means it’s the most sparkly!
Older, antique round-cut diamonds are often considered to be more charming than a modern diamond, as they were crafted before laser-cutting and were all cut by hand! Often older round cuts can fall into the Old European or Old Mine cuts – two distinctive hand cut styles. These cuts are recognisable by their hand cut facets, allowing for a larger culet and smaller table.
💎Cut to the Point: Best cut for sparkle and a timeless, classic shape
The Princess Cut Engagement Ring
Looking for a fairy-tale perfect engagement ring fit for a princess? Consider the elegant and refined princess-cut diamond engagement ring! This cut first soared in popularity the 1970s, admired for its modern geometric look as well as it’s cost effectiveness, as it allowed jewellers to retain a larger portion of the original diamond, reducing waste.
Since the ’70s, the princess cut has remained a popular choice for engagement rings, especially as a sleek and elegant diamond solitaire. Known for its incredible sparkle and brilliance thanks to its unique faceting pattern, the princess cut is often more affordable than a round cut of the same carat weight, as jewellers can retain more of the original stone during the cutting process!
💎Cut to the Point: Best cut for brilliance, affordability and modern edge
The Oval Cut Engagement Ring
Emerging out front as a celebrity favourite, the oval cut engagement ring is becoming a power contender as the most trending style this year! As seen on celebs like Hailey Bieber, Simone Biles and Kourtney Kardashian, the oval cut offers an elegant and elongated shape that enhances the finger by creating lengthening illusion.
Beyond a solitaire engagement ring this cut can also look flattering in a cluster engagement ring or even as part of an oval trilogy ring, with oval-cut feature stone in the centre to pull the eyes in whilst creating a beautiful spread across the finger!
Cut to the Point: Best cut to elongate fingers with a romantic silhouette
The Marquise Cut Engagement Ring
Marquise cut diamond rings are a very popular choice for anyone who wants their engagement ring to stand out from the crowd. Equally long to the oval-cut, this shape is sharper at both ends, creating a kite-shaped cut. A marquise cut diamond ring is great for showing off the internal facets of the stone, since their unique shape allows lots of light into the stone and feels like a nice middle ground between modern and vintage elegance.
Sometimes this cut may be described as a navette shape, the term derived from the latin ‘navalis’, meaning boat-shaped. Selena Gomez has been the most recent inspiration for brides to be with her large yellow gold set marquise engagement ring, following her hit song ‘Good for You’ where she described herself as a ‘marquise diamond’, associating herself with this luxurious, desirable and rare item!
💎Cut to the Point: Best cut for maximum finger coverage and a dramatic, vintage-inspired look.
The Emerald Cut Engagement Ring
The emerald cut is rectangular in form, often with clipped corners and a large open table. They are mesmerising to look into, known for their unique ‘hall of mirrors’ effect created by their step cut facets and flat planes.
The emerald cut is a powerful and geometric shape that gained popularity during the 1920s, fitting right in with the Art Deco period and often paired with additional side stones. It later became the symbol of Hollywood glamour in the 1950s and ‘60s, with iconic brides like Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor all choosing emerald cut diamond rings! In more modern times the style has been seen on celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Sofia Richie and Beyoncé.
💎Cut to the Point: Best cut for making a bold and glamour statement
The Asscher Cut Engagement Ring
If you liked the emerald cut, you’ll love the Asscher! The Asscher cut is nearly identical to the emerald but is squarer in form and typically has a greater depth to the stone. When you look through the top of an Asscher cut it reveals an X shape, with a similar ‘hall of mirrors’ effect as the emerald cut.
The cut is named after its inventor, the legendary diamond cutter Joseph Asscher, founder of I J Asscher Diamond Company. Originally created with 50 to 58 facets, the design was later updated by his descendants into the Royal Asscher cut, now featuring 74 facets for even more brilliance and sparkle. The new design was created to honour the Cullinan II diamond—the second largest stone cut from the famous Cullinan rough—which sits proudly in the Imperial State Crown and was originally carved by Joseph Asscher. The result? A bold diamond that requires a high-clarity and precision cutting.
💎Cut to the Point: Best cut for anyone seeking a bold and rare diamond cut steeped in timeless royal heritage.
The Pear Cut Engagement Ring
Considered the lovechild of the marquise and the oval cut, the pear cut is a perfect marriage of soft meets strong with a rounded end and pointed tip.
Resemblant of a teardrop, the pear cut engagement ring is believed to symbolise tears of joy, empowerment and emotional depth, making it the perfect choice for an engagement ring. The cut feels feminine and sophisticated that maximises carat weight and still gives you that elongated effect on the finger.
💎Cut to the Point: Best cut for those wanting a unique and graceful shape
In conclusion, these cuts are a few good starting points for those beginning the search for the perfect engagement ring. Once you’ve check out these cuts and the styles in which they feature, you can explore more in-depth options to see what type of engagement ring is best for you and your lifestyle. We hope you find your perfect ring with us and if you feel inspired don’t forget to explore our vintage and antique rings collection!
