The four C’s of diamonds are clarity, color, cut, and carat weight, of which the most important one of the four is the Diamond Cut. It is based on a combination of three main factors that is proportions, symmetry, and polish. The diamond-cut assesses the overall light performance of your favorite diamond.
Generally speaking, individual preferences tend to vary. Some would prefer having big engagement rings, while others prefer smaller diamond rings. All these depend on the diamond cut. In this case, a diamond cut refers to how well the multiple dimensions of your favorite diamond rings are.
It also refers to how each of these surfaces is rightfully positioned to ensure just the right amount of sparkle, the ultimate dazzling effect, and enough brilliance is achieved. The cut is one of the essential factors that determine the diamond’s overall beauty and price tag.
That said, we will compare some of the most popular diamond cuts in the jewelry world to deduce which of the four looks the biggest.
Which cut of diamond looks the biggest?
Round Cut Diamond
When we think of engagement rings, the first thing that comes to mind is certainly a round sparkling diamond that is noticeable from a distance. The round cut diamond is one of the most popular styles for engagement rings in the jewelry world, and it is often preferred by many.
It features a classic uniform and symmetrical shape that has 58 facets. Each facet reflects light and gives the diamond its brilliance. They tend to be cut shallower than most stones.
For this reason, round diamonds tend to give the illusion of a larger stone. Likewise, because its cut isn’t as deep, its sparkle is more intense. That helps the diamond look much bigger.
With the right setting, a round cut diamond tends to appear larger than any other diamond cut, regardless of its size!
Oval-Cut Diamond
Oval cut diamonds have a similar cut and visual appearance as round cut diamonds. They tend to be very brilliant, which helps them look a lot bigger than they are.
To add to that, they have an added advantage, which is their elongated shape. The elongated shape actively contributes to the illusion of size.
Engagement rings that are set with an oval stone, not only make the stone look bigger. The shape of the diamond creates the illusion of longer lines.
That illusion makes your fiancé’s finger appear thinner and longer. The majority of the time, this is a bonus. Overall, the oval cut diamond is an ideal choice of solitaire rings.
Emerald-Cut Diamond
The emerald cut looks a lot different than all the other diamond cuts. It features a ‘stair-step’ cut of the facets.
That creates an understated and subtle shine that is comparable to the brilliance of a twinkling star.
If you love old fashioned glamor, the emerald cut diamond may just be the one for you! Its rectangular shape makes it appear larger than it is.
An added advantage to having emerald-cut diamonds is that they are less expensive, thus a perfect choice for anyone looking for a pocket-friendly pick.
Marquise-Cut Diamond
The marquise cut has been in existence since the days of King Louis XV.
For this reason, you would expect it to be one of the most popular, if not most-sough-after designs, but it isn’t a diamond cut that you would come across every day.
It resembles a football, and it features a thin, elongated shape that meets at a point on both ends. Like most of the diamond cuts we have explored, its elongated shape makes the stone appear large, and it makes your finger seem slender.
It is aesthetically pleasing in solitaire settings, but you can always add accent stones to increase the dazzling effect.
So, which of these looks the biggest?
Each diamond cut that we have looked at has a unique feature that makes it look larger than it already is. Generally, diamond cuts that feature an elongated shape, such as the pear or marquise diamond cut, tend to look bigger than diamonds with a round, oval or square shape.
Diamond-cuts with elongated shapes features a large surface area relative to the overall weight of the diamond itself.
This is what we call the face-up size, which is the total area of the diamond visible when the stone is set in a diamond ring. The Emerald cut, the Oval cut, and the Marquise cut appear more generous than their carat weight.
However, out of all these shapes, the Marquise cut always appears the largest. Its length gives it a more impressive face-up size than all the other diamond cuts we have discussed.
The round-brilliant cut gives off an extraordinary level of sparkle and fire. It shines more than all the other diamond cuts that exist. The only problem is that round diamond cuts are the most expensive diamond shape when evaluating them from a cost-per-carat perspective.
The smallest looking diamond cuts, on the other hand, are the Cushion, Asscher, and Princess cuts diamonds. They all feature a square length-to-width ratio. For this reason, they have a smaller surface area and diameter relative to their carat weight.
Conclusion
When you understand the basics and design of all diamond shapes, you can carefully select the perfect one for any occasion.
It helps you choose a ring that is in line with your individual preferences, from the variety of options that exist.
In the end, the most important thing is to consider the uniqueness of a diamond cut, the person’s style, and the occasion for which you intend to purchase the diamond.
If you are looking for an engagement ring, then you are better off settling for one that your bride-to-be will be excited and comfortable to wear for the longest time.
If you are looking for an ornamental piece to add to your jewelry collection, you can always pick out one that you do not have to wear regularly.
Please read here or here for more diamond topics.
Stephanie is a jewelry lover when she was a teenager. Her major was fashion design when she was in college. She is a jewelry designer at SOQ Jewelry and other design companies. Now she is also a writer for our website. She writes a lot of designs&brands posts with very actionable tips.