Round and oval get most of the attention — but pear, marquise, and princess cuts have devoted followings for good reason. Each brings a distinct character that suits certain personalities and aesthetics perfectly.
Pear Cut
The pear shape — also called a teardrop — combines the round brilliant's sparkle with an elongated, directional silhouette. It's graceful, distinctive, and particularly flattering on shorter fingers, where the elongating point creates a slimming effect. Pear cuts are among the most individually variable shapes — the ideal length-to-width ratio is a matter of personal taste (most people prefer 1.45–1.75). They work beautifully in solitaires pointing upward, or set east-west for a modern look. Like ovals, pears can exhibit a bowtie effect in poorly cut stones — always evaluate in person.
Marquise Cut
The marquise is the most elongated of the standard cuts — an elliptical shape pointed at both ends, originally created for King Louis XV of France. It creates a dramatic, finger-elongating effect more pronounced than any other shape. Marquise diamonds also face up larger than rounds of the same carat weight — more than almost any other shape. The setting challenge: the pointed ends are the most vulnerable part of the stone and require protective prongs (V-tips) to prevent chipping. A well-set marquise in the right setting is genuinely stunning.
Princess Cut
The princess cut is a square brilliant — engineered to produce maximum sparkle in a square silhouette. It's the second most popular shape after the round brilliant, and for good reason: it delivers near-round-level brilliance in a modern, geometric form. Princess cuts are particularly popular for people who want a square stone without the step-cut look of an Asscher or the softer feel of a cushion. The corners are pointed and require protective prongs. Princess cuts work well in solitaires and channel-set bands.
Choosing a Distinctive Shape
If you want your ring to stand out — to have immediate visual character and personality — these three shapes deliver. Come into Solomon Jewelers in Wichita and we'll show you examples of all three so you can see which one speaks to you.
Shop all engagement rings → or read our full diamond shape guide →