Certified Diamond Shapes — Antwerp
A complete guide to all 10 diamond shapes — from the classic round brilliant to the distinctive heart cut. Find the shape that matches your style.
10
SHAPES
round
Most Popular
Diamond Education
What is a Diamond Shape?
A diamond's shape refers to its physical outline when viewed from above — the silhouette that makes it immediately recognisable. Whether you are drawn to the timeless circle of a round brilliant, the elongated elegance of an oval, or the architectural precision of an emerald cut, shape is the most personal decision in the diamond buying process — and the one that defines how the stone looks on the finger for a lifetime.
Shape is different from cut quality. While shape describes the diamond's outline, cut refers to how precisely the facets are proportioned, aligned and polished to interact with light. A well-cut diamond in any shape will display exceptional brilliance and fire — a poorly cut stone in the same shape will look dull regardless of its carat weight. For round brilliants, GIA awards a dedicated cut grade up to Triple Excellent. For fancy shapes — oval, princess, emerald and all others — cut quality is assessed on polish and symmetry only, which is why buying from an expert who can evaluate proportions directly matters.
The round brilliant is by far the most popular diamond shape — accounting for approximately 75% of all certified diamonds sold worldwide. Its 58-facet design, refined over centuries, produces the maximum possible brilliance and fire. Oval, princess, cushion and the seven other fancy shapes offer distinctive aesthetics and consistently better value per carat — typically 15–35% less than a comparable round — while certified by the same laboratories: GIA, HRD and IGI.
Shape = the outline of the diamond as seen face-up. A personal and visual choice — round, oval, princess, cushion, emerald, pear, marquise, radiant, Asscher or heart.
Cut quality = how precisely the facets are proportioned to reflect light. The primary driver of brilliance within any shape. Graded by GIA, HRD and IGI. Read our full guide on diamond cut.
Expert Advice
Why Choose Certified Diamond Shapes from Antwerp?
All 10 shapes, sourced directly from Antwerp's diamond district — the world's diamond capital for over 500 years. GIA, HRD and IGI certified. Up to 75% below retail.
selection
All 10 Shapes, All Certifiers
Round, oval, princess, cushion, emerald, pear, marquise, radiant, Asscher and heart — every major shape certified by GIA, HRD or IGI. No shape is a special order at Diamantwerp.
source
Direct from Antwerp's Diamond District
Over 80% of the world's rough diamonds pass through Antwerp each year. Our office on Pelikaanstraat 62 sits at the centre — cutting out multiple intermediaries.
value
Up to 75% Below Retail
The same certified diamonds a high-street jeweller would sell you — at a fraction of the price. Every shape, every carat weight, every certifier.
brilliance
Shape Determines Light Performance
Round and brilliant cuts (oval, princess, pear, marquise, radiant, heart) maximise fire and scintillation. Step cuts (emerald, Asscher) produce the hall-of-mirrors effect. Choose the character that suits you
guidance
Expert Help With Every Shape
Our diamond experts assess symmetry, clarity, proportions and price implications for every shape you consider — before you commit. Free, in person or video call.
value
Fancy Shapes Cost Less
Every shape other than the round brilliant typically costs 15–35% less for the same carat weight and quality. The round costs a premium; all 9 fancy shapes offer meaningful savings.
Explore More
Explore All Diamond Shapes
Every shape certified by GIA, HRD or IGI — sourced directly from Antwerp's diamond district.
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Round
Timeless ClassicThe classic choice with maximum brilliance. 58 facets engineered for unmatched sparkle and fire.
View Round Diamonds -
Oval
TrendingElongated brilliance that flatters the finger. Appears larger than a round of equal carat weight.
View Oval Diamonds -
Cushion
Vintage RomanceSoft rounded corners with a pillow-like shape. Broad facets showcase mesmerising light play.
View Cushion Diamonds -
Princess
Modern ClassicA square silhouette with brilliant-style faceting. Sharp corners and contemporary sparkle.
View Princess Diamonds -
Pear
DistinctiveA teardrop silhouette combining the round's brilliance with the marquise's elongation.
View Pear Diamonds -
Marquise
Regal HeritageA regal boat-shape favoured since 1745. Elongates the finger and maximises visual size per carat.
View Marquise Diamonds -
Emerald
Art DecoStep-cut facets create a hall-of-mirrors effect. Prized for its understated, architectural elegance.
View Emerald Diamonds -
Asscher
Vintage GlamourA square step-cut with deeper facets than an emerald. Signature "hall of windows" effect with Gatsby-era charm.
View Asscher Diamonds -
Radiant
Bold BrillianceA rectangular silhouette with brilliant-cut sparkle. Created in 1977 for modern fire in a classic shape.
View Radiant Diamonds -
Heart
Pure SymbolA symbol of love crafted for precision. Requires a master cutter to achieve perfect lobes and pointed tip.
View Heart Diamonds
At a Glance
Diamond Shape Comparison
Compare brilliance, relative price and popularity across all 10 shapes.
| Shape | Brilliance | Price vs Round | Popularity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round Brilliant | Exceptional | Highest | Maximum sparkle, classic engagement rings | |
| Oval | Excellent | 20–30% less | Elongating the finger, modern elegance | |
| Princess | Excellent | 20–30% less | Contemporary style, solitaire settings | |
| Cushion | Very Good | 25–35% less | Vintage-inspired designs, halo settings | |
| Emerald | Good | 30–40% less | Art Deco style, clarity-focused buyers | |
| Pear | Very Good | 25–35% less | Pendants, earrings, unique rings | |
| Marquise | Very Good | 30–40% less | Maximum face-up size, elongated fingers | |
| Radiant | Excellent | 25–35% less | Coloured diamonds, three-stone settings | |
| Asscher | Good | 30–40% less | Art Deco collectors, vintage style | |
| Heart | Very Good | 25–35% less | Romantic gifts, symbolic jewellery |
Buying Guidance
How to Choose Your Diamond Shape
Three key factors to consider when selecting the right shape for your diamond.
Step 01
Personal style
Step 02
Budget & Value
Client Experiences
What Our Clients Say
Real experiences from clients who purchased certified loose diamonds through Diamantwerp.
Diamantwerp
Out of 5 stars
Overall rating out of 11 Google reviews
Despite some issues with delivery on your side, the product I ordered exceeded my expectations. The quality is at a high level, so overall I am satisfied with the purchase.
Great experience from start to finish. Communication was clear and professional, and the diamond matched the description perfectly. Very satisfied with the quality and overall service. Highly recommended!
Perfecte service, betrouwbaar en Top kwaliteit 👍
Zeer tevreden, hetgeen gevraagd is werd ook uitgevoerd….. top!!!!
Wij hebben onze trouwringen hier besteld en zijn ontzettend tevreden. Vanaf het eerste moment werden we heel vriendelijk en professioneel geholpen. Er werd echt de tijd genomen om naar onze wensen te luisteren en mee te denken over het ontwerp. De service was perfect: duidelijke uitleg, eerlijk advies en een fijne, persoonlijke benadering. We voelden ons echt welkom en begrepen. Het eindresultaat is prachtig geworden. We zijn er enorm blij mee en dragen ze met trots. Absoluut een aanrader voor iedereen die op zoek is naar kwaliteit, vakmanschap en uitstekende service!
Verschillende groottes van parels tentoongesteld, waardoor ik kon kiezen welke perfect bij mij passen. Goede service en top kwaliteit!
Zeer tevreden van mijn trouwring. Exact het design waar ik naar verlangde, kwaliteitsvolle uitvoering en een fijne service.
We kopen hier ondertussen al meerdere jaren onze edelstenen in alle vertrouwen en transparantie. Telkens de overeengekomen kwaliteit aan de best mogelijke prijs, een tevreden klant hier.
Heel professionele en betrouwbare service. Duidelijke uitleg, zonder druk om te beslissen. Alles verliep vlot en correct - zeker een aanrader!
Common Questions
Diamond Shapes FAQ
Everything you need to know about diamond shapes.
What is the most popular diamond shape?
The round brilliant is by far the most popular diamond shape — accounting for approximately 75% of all certified diamonds sold worldwide. Its 58-facet design, refined over centuries, produces the maximum possible brilliance and fire of any shape. Among fancy shapes, the oval has surged to second place over the past five years, displacing the princess cut, driven by its finger-flattering silhouette and face-up size advantage.
At Diamantwerp, we carry certified diamonds in all 10 shapes — round, oval, princess, cushion, emerald, pear, marquise, radiant, Asscher and heart — all with GIA, HRD or IGI certification, direct from Antwerp's diamond district.
What is the difference between diamond shape and diamond cut?
Shape refers to the outline of the diamond as seen face-up — whether it is round, oval, square or elongated. Shape is a personal and visual choice. Cut quality refers to how precisely the facets are proportioned, aligned and polished to interact with light — and is the primary driver of brilliance and fire within any shape.
For round brilliants, GIA awards a dedicated cut grade up to Triple Excellent — covering cut, polish and symmetry separately. For fancy shapes — oval, princess, emerald and all others — there is no standardised cut grade; GIA assesses polish and symmetry only. This means evaluating cut quality in a fancy shape requires examining the stone's proportions directly. Read our full guide on diamond cut.
Which diamond shape looks the biggest?
The marquise has the largest face-up surface area of any popular diamond shape — up to 25% more visible diamond per carat than a round brilliant. The oval and pear follow closely, both offering approximately 15% more face-up area than a round of the same carat weight.
Any elongated shape — marquise, oval, pear, radiant — covers more finger area per carat than a round because its outline extends along the length of the finger rather than radiating from a central point. The princess and cushion also appear larger than a round due to their wider tables. The round brilliant and Asscher have the smallest face-up appearance per carat of all popular shapes.
Which diamond shape is the cheapest?
Every fancy shape costs less than a round brilliant of the same carat weight and quality — because round brilliants waste the most rough material in cutting and command the highest demand premium. The greatest savings are typically found in:
- Cushion — 25–35% less than a comparable round
- Princess, pear and marquise — 20–30% less
- Radiant and heart — 15–25% less
- Emerald and Asscher — 20–30% less, but require higher clarity grades which partially offsets the saving
Browse our inventory by budget: under €2,000, under €5,000 or under €10,000. Use our diamond price guide to benchmark realistic prices across all shapes and carat weights.
Does Diamantwerp sell all 10 diamond shapes?
Yes — we carry certified loose diamonds in all 10 popular shapes, sourced directly from cutters and sight-holders in Antwerp's diamond district at Pelikaanstraat 62:
- Round Brilliant — the most popular shape worldwide
- Oval Cut — the fastest-growing fancy shape
- Princess Cut — the world's #1 fancy shape
- Cushion Cut — square or elongated, vintage fire
- Emerald Cut — Art Deco hall-of-mirrors elegance
- Pear Shaped — the ultimate finger-flattering teardrop
- Marquise Cut — largest face-up of any popular shape
- Radiant Cut — rectangular brilliance, no vulnerable corners
- Asscher Cut — royal heritage, deepest hall-of-mirrors
- Heart Shaped — the most personal diamond shape
Every stone comes with a verified GIA, HRD or IGI certificate. Browse all certified loose diamonds or explore by shape above.
How can your prices be so much lower?
Antwerp is the world's diamond capital — over 80% of the world's rough diamonds pass through the city's diamond district each year. By buying directly from cutters and sight-holders here, we cut out multiple intermediaries that traditional jewellers depend on: importer, broker, distributor and retailer.
Our low-overhead business model means we pass the savings directly to you. The same GIA, HRD and IGI certified stones you would find at a high-street jeweller — at a fraction of the price. Browse our full inventory or explore by shape: round, oval, cushion, emerald, pear and more.
