Diamond Education

Diamond Shape

The diamond’s physical form is known as its shape and this is one of the first things to consider when selecting a stone.

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Shape Cut Colour Clarity Carat

Select the Perfect Diamond

Diamond Essentials and the 4 C's

This interactive walk-through will guide you through key facts and information about diamonds, and specifically how the 4 C's of any diamond will contribute to it sparkle and shine. Each section offers indepth reading, or a snippet of learning across each of these interactive sections. Use the arrows to guide your way through the DX Diamond Education pages.

Diamond Education

What is Diamond Shape?

Choosing a diamond shape is crucial. While round diamonds remain popular, fancy shapes like oval, cushion, radiant, pear, heart and princess are gaining traction. At DX, we offer a wide range of shapes because we believe each ring should be as perfect as the love it symbolizes.

Discover the shape that reflects your individuality and union.

Explore Shape - The 4C's

Your Selection

Round Diamond Shape

Your Selection

Oval Diamond Shape

Your Selection

Cushion Diamond Shape

Your Selection

Pear Diamond Shape

Your Selection

Emerald Diamond Shape

Your Selection

Princess Diamond Shape

Your Selection

Radiant Diamond Shape

Your Selection

Heart Diamond Shape

Your Selection

Marquise Diamond Shape

Your Selection

Asscher Diamond Shape

Diamond Education

What is Carat Weight?

Carat refers to the unit of measurement which is used to weigh diamonds. Often, this is the most obvious visual element when we compare diamonds.

Carat is sometimes confused with the visual size of stones but it refers to weight only. The size does impact different stones’ measurements though.

Shapes and types of gemstones can also show slightly different readings due to variable densities.

Explore Carat - The 4C's

0.50 CT0.75 CT1.00 CT1.25 CT1.50 CT2.00 CT2.50 CT3.00 CT

0.50 Carat

Shown with 0.50CT round brilliant cut diamond

0.75 Carat

Shown with 0.75CT round brilliant cut diamond

1.00 Carat

Shown with 1.00CT round brilliant cut diamond

1.25 Carat

Shown with 1.25CT round brilliant cut diamond

1.50 Carat

Shown with 1.50CT round brilliant cut diamond

2.00 Carat

Shown with 2.00CT round brilliant cut diamond

2.50 Carat

Shown with 2.50CT round brilliant cut diamond

3.00 Carat

Shown with 3.00CT round brilliant cut diamond

Diamond Education

What is Diamond Cut?

Cut describes the symmetry, balance, proportion and polish created by the diamond cutter, not the stone’s actual geometric shape. A diamond’s inherent beauty is determined directly by the expertise of its cut.

Stones cut the most skilfully will refract and reflect the most amount of light. Diamond cutters have a special understanding of the ways in which light penetrates and radiates through diamonds.

Cutters follow a special set of exact angles and proportions to maximise each diamond’s intrinsic brilliance and showcase its sparkle.

Explore Cut - The 4C's

PoorFairGoodVery GoodExcellentSuper Ideal

Poor

Diamonds which reflect only a little of the light entering them. Not carried by Diamond Exchange.

Fair

Diamonds which reflect some of the light entering them. Not carried by Diamond Exchange.

Good

Diamonds which reflect most of the light entering them. Not carried by Diamond Exchange.

Very Good

Reflecting almost as much light as the ideal cut, these diamonds are excellent quality at a cost significantly lower.

Excellent

Diamonds which radiate almost all the light entering them.Finished with precision for maximum sparkle, they fall within the top 3% of quality determined by cut.

Super Ideal

Diamonds which have perfect dimensions and proportions and emit optimal light. The cut to which the most rigorous standards are applied.

Diamond Education

What is Diamond Clarity?

The term ‘clarity’ is used in reference to a diamond’s purity and rarity. Minuscule characteristics can be trapped on or within a diamond when it is formed.

Gemmologists will examine these surface and internal characteristics under 10x magnification when assigning a grading to each stone. Diamonds with little or no inclusions are especially rare and valuable.

Explore Clarity - The 4C's

SI2SI1VS2VS1VVS2VVS1IFFL

SI2 - Slightly Included

Inclusions are visible under 10x magnification and may be visible to the naked eye. More inclusions than SI1.

SI1 - Slightly Included

Inclusions are visible under 10x magnification, but are generally not visible to the naked eye.

VS2 - Very Slightly Included

Slightly more inclusions than VS1, difficult to see under 10x magnification and typically cannot be seen with the naked eye.

VS1 - Very Slightly Included

Inclusions cannot be seen with the naked eye and are difficult to see under 10x magnification.

VVS2 - Very Very Slightly Included

Slightly more inclusions than VVS1, but still very difficult to see under 10x magnification even for expert gemologists.

VVS1 - Very Very Slightly Included

Miniscule inclusions are very difficult to see under 10x magnification, even for expert gemologists.

IF - Internally Flawless

Extremely rare and valuable, these diamonds have no internal flaws but may have minute surface blemishes visible under 10x magnification.

FL - Flawless

Extremely rare and valuable, flawless diamonds have no internal or external flaws. Less than 1% of all diamonds are FL clarity.

Diamond Education

What is Diamond Colour?

Colour, graded by GIA standards, indicates the natural hue or lack thereof in a diamond. DX exclusively offers colourless and near-colourless diamonds for their rarity. While colour variations don't necessarily affect value or quality, those with minimal colour are highly sought after. 

Traces of elements during formation result in hues like yellow, grey, or brown. Gemstone colour is assessed by hue, tone, and saturation: hue is the primary colour impression, tone is its lightness or darkness, and saturation is its purity and intensity.

Explore Colour - The 4C's

JIHGFED

J COLOUR - Near Colourless

Colour can be detected, but offers good value.

I COLOUR - Near Colourless

Colour can be slightly detected, but offers good value.

H COLOUR - Near Colourless

Colour is only slightly noticeable when compared to diamonds of better grades, but offers excellent value.

G COLOUR - Near Colourless

Colour is only slightly noticeable when compared to diamonds of better grades, but offers excellent value.

F COLOUR - Colourless

Slight colour can be detected by an expert gemmologist, but still considered “colourless”. A high-quality diamond.

E COLOUR - Colourless

Only minute traces of colour can be detected by an expert gemmologist. A rare, high quality diamond.

D COLOUR - Absolutely Colourless

The highest colour grade which is extremely rare and the most valuable.

ABOUT DIAMOND SHAPE

The diamond’s physical form is known as its shape and this is one of the first things to consider when selecting a stone. The traditional round diamond is still the most popular, but other “fancy” shaped diamonds (non-round) are increasingly sought after. The fancy family includes oval, cushion, emerald, Asscher, radiant, princess, pear, marquise and heart shaped diamonds. DX offers an extensive array of diamond shapes. We believe every individual ring should be as perfect and precious as the love it symbolises. Learn which shape ultimately expresses both your individuality and union.

What is the Difference?

CUT AND SHAPE

The terms 'cut' and 'shape' when used to describe diamonds, are often confused. Cut is one of the 4C’s (Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat) but does not refer to the actual overall shape into which a stone has been cut. Although various geometrical shapes can alter the brilliance and even clarity of a diamond, it is their 'cut' which refers to the way light shines through and reflects as a result of the arrangement of its facets and their tiny angles.

Learn About Cut >

ROUND DIAMONDS

The most common shape for brilliant cut diamonds, round diamonds are also the most popular choice for engagement rings, by far. Round diamonds have close to 60 facets in their cut, maximising reflection, light return and brilliance. This sparkling shape is tried and tested, versatile and enduring.

Shop Round Diamonds

CUSHION SHAPE DIAMONDS

Cushion cut diamonds feature softer, more rounded edges than the other square, rectangular and angled shapes. Once known as Old Mine Cut, this shape has been refined over a long time. A cushion cut is a romantic and ageless diamond.

Shop Cushion Diamonds

OVAL SHAPED DIAMOND

An elegant variation on the traditional round brilliant, the oval shape scintillates with the illusion of seeming larger in size. With a similar sparkle to rounds, ovals are a timeless classic.

Shop Oval Diamonds

EMERALD CUT DIAMONDS

The most popular amongst the step-cut shapes, emerald cut diamonds are prized for their distinctive silhouette and subtle style. The stone’s clarity is accentuated by the open table and shallow pavilion, and the rectangular facets reflect a sophisticated glitter.

Shop Emerald Diamonds

PEAR SHAPED DIAMONDS

Pear shape diamonds form a symmetrical teardrop shape, with opposing round and pointy ends. The elongated shape tends to be flattering for fingers, as with an oval cut. Pear shaped stones sparkle with a unique aura.

Shop Pear Diamonds

PRINCESS DIAMONDS

A contemporary look with great style and dazzle, the princess cut is one of the most popular amongst the 'fancy' shapes. Usually cut square with four pointed corners and more than 70 facets, princess cut diamonds gleam with a royal radiance.

Shop Princess Diamonds

RADIANT DIAMOND

Radiant cut diamonds combine the glamorous style of the emerald cut stone with the brilliant sparkle of the classic round. Lightly trimmed at the corners creating a more subtle form, this hybrid shape exudes contemporary appeal.

Shop Radiant Diamonds

HEART SHAPED DIAMONDS

The two symmetrical halves form a beautiful shape with romantic allure. The pear cut has been modified with precision to create this dainty, sparkling shape to melt hearts.

Shop Heart Diamonds

DIAMOND SHAPES

View the full range of shapes.

Round

Oval

Cushion

Pear

Emerald

Princess

Radiant

Heart

Marquise

Assher

DX DIFFERENCE

We will help you to work out which are the best designs and styles for you. Your selection will ultimately depend on the unique personality, lifestyle and preference of your significant other.