My Least Favorite Diamond Shapes for Engagement Rings

Marquis engagement rings are oval shaped diamonds that have both ends pointed. Marquis diamonds have 56 facets and are twice as long as they are wide. A length to width ratio of 2 to 1 is considered ideal and something to think about when purchasing a marquis as it will affect the brilliance of the diamond. A good cut is important The cut is also important because it helps prevent the dreaded “bow tie” effect, whereby the center of the diamond is darker and has reduced brilliance. While the Marquis diamond is by no means my favorite shape, it does have a number of interesting properties:

1) It has a cool story behind it: the shape of the stone was said to have been designed for Louis XIV of France, who wanted a diamond designed after the smile of the Marquise de Pompadour.

2) The marquise diamond is considered one of the most flattering on the hand as it makes the finger look slimmer

3) The stone may appear larger than it really is. The marquis diamond not only has a large surface area, but the elongated lines can make the carat size appear larger than what you spent.

Yes, I am an enemy of pears. Maybe I have been influenced by some of my friends who don’t like pear either. I remember once an acquaintance of mine got engaged. My friend, who was closest to this person, sent me a picture of her pear diamond with a derogatory caption about the shape of the ring. All malice aside, everyone has different views on what looks good, so don’t let my taste sway you unduly.

The pear-shaped diamond is considered a brilliant diamond that is round on one end and marquise-shaped on the other. It is sometimes called a tear drop because of its rounded side and pointed edge. A length to width ratio between 1.45 and 1.75 is generally considered more desirable for pear. Just so you know, the pear-shaped diamond is less brilliant than the round brilliant and loses more brilliance if it is not well proportioned. One thing in particular to avoid when buying a pear shape is the dreaded bow tie effect: a dark area in the middle of the diamond that looks like a black bow tie. It’s hard to completely avoid the bow tie effect with the pear. One good thing about the pear is that it tends to make the fingers look slimmer.

I hope I don’t offend anyone by saying that I think heart-shaped engagement rings are ugly. I used to wear heart rings in high school, so I associate heart rings with a typically horrible period in most people’s lives. Also, the symbolism of a heart-shaped engagement ring lacks creativity. We already know that you are in love, if you wear an engagement ring. At this point, your woman not only has your heart, but also your savings account, freedom, and body, mind, and soul. You are whipped. There is no need for the world to know this with a big cheesy heart. Don’t get me wrong…there are a lot of diamond heart fans out there. Some would say that the heart shape is the most romantic of all diamonds. In fact, Joan Collins received a heart-shaped engagement ring from her husband.

Hearts can be wide or long. They are more similar to the pear-shaped diamond but have an indentation at the top. When looking to purchase a heart, make sure the top arches have a symmetrical appearance. Asymmetric hearts will look more like pears. Looking at other women’s ring fingers, you won’t see too many hearts. Hearts are less often found on an engagement ring and more commonly seen on earrings or pendants. I will say something good about heart shapes: they cost 20% to 25% less than round diamonds.