A diamond cut by shape describes the outline of the stone and pattern of the facet arrangement. Diamonds are available in various shapes like Round, Princess, Heart, Oval, Pear etc., but when most people think of diamonds, what comes to mind is the modern round brilliant cut because in the jewelry industry, this shape represents more than 75% of all sales. All other non-round shapes are called fancy shapes and these different diamond shapes reflect an individual's style and personality.

The most popular and stylish shapes are defined below:

Round Brilliant Cut

The Round Brilliant Cut diamond is the most traditional and popular of all the diamond shapes. Many experts consider this shape ideal for a diamond because it maximizes its sparkle. It has 58 facets which offer great brilliance and stability. This shape of diamond is most commonly used in solitaire diamond engagement rings.

Princess Cut

The Princess Cut is the most popular non-round diamond. It's beautiful brilliance and unique cut makes it a favorite for engagement rings. The princess has pointed corners and is traditionally square in shape. The ideal princess cut will have a length to width ratio is as close to 1.00:1.00 as possible, as princess cut diamonds can range from this perfect square to almost rectangular.

Emerald Cut

The Emerald Cut diamond is a square or rectangular shaped stone with cut corners. This is also known as a Step Cut because it has rows of facets, usually 48 to 50, that resemble a staircase. Due to its larger, more open table, this shape highlights the clarity of a diamond, but with fewer facets has less brilliance than the other shapes.

Oval Cut

The Oval Cut is also a beautiful shape and provides great brilliance and fire through its 56 facets. A well cut Oval shaped diamond can be almost as bright as a well cut Round Brilliant shaped diamond.

Marquise Cut

The Marquise Cut is a traditional shape, having elongated ends at both edges. The pointed ends make this shape the most fragile and the most expensive of brilliant style cuts. It has a total of 56 facets, the construction of which requires a lot of experience, as the delicacy of its sharp points demands the utmost skill and precaution. This shape is very popular for engagement rings.

Pear Cut

The Pear Cut diamond is often called a teardrop due to its single point and rounded end with 56 to 58 facets. This shape is popular for its uniqueness and brilliance. A Pear Shape diamond is used in pendants and is also a good choice for a hand with smaller fingers.

Asscher Cut

The Asscher Cut is a modified version of the Emerald Cut. This shape is named after Joseph Asscher of Holland who was an eminent diamond cutter. In 1902, his company, Asscher Diamond Co., developed and patented the Asscher Cut, a squarer step cut with an almost octagonal outline. This new cut enhances the fire and light of the stone; it has a small table, a high crown, wide step facets, a deep pavilion and a square culet.

Radiant Cut

The Radiant Cut is a rectangular or square stone with cut corners. This shape comes with 62 to 70 facets and offers the elegance of the emerald shape with the brilliance of the princess shape. Trimmed corners are the signature of this shape, and help to make the radiant cut a popular and versatile choice for jewelry. Diamonds with the radiant shape look very good when adorned with baguettes or round side stones.

Heart Cut

The human heart is the ultimate symbol of love and the Heart Cut is regarded as the most romantic of all the shapes. The Heart shaped diamond is essentially a pear-shaped diamond with a cleft at the top and typically contains 59 facets. Due to the complexity of the shape, skilled cutting is necessary to maintain the diamond's brilliance. Generally, people prefer a heart shape diamond for sentimental purposes. This shape is mostly used in pendants, but also suitable for most jewelry items.

Cushion Cut

Cushion Cut diamonds are also known as "pillow cut" diamonds. This shape ranges from square to rectangular and it has rounded corners and larger facets to increase its brilliance. These larger facets also highlight the diamond's clarity.

Baguette Cut

The Baguette Cut diamonds are generally used to fill in channels or stable grooved tracks around a gemstone centerpiece. This shape is similar to emerald shape.

Trilliant Cut

The Trilliant Cut is one of the more unusual cuts and a diamond with this shape displays a very sharp brilliance or fire. This triangular shaped diamond may either have pointed corners or more rounded corners.

Certificate

Acquisition of a diamond or diamond jewelry is an important expression of love or accomplishment but it can also represent a major investment of money. It is essential for you to know the credentials of the diamond and enable confidence in the integrity and quality of what you have acquired.

A Diamond Certificate or Diamond Grading Report is a statement, issued by an independent Gemological Laboratory. At the time of evaluation, the diamond in question has been examined, measured, and scrutinized by experienced Diamond Graders, using various gemological instruments, and determined to contain the characteristics as stated in the Certificate or Report.

In other words, a diamond certificate can be accurately described as the blueprint of a diamond. This Certificate or Report includes an analysis of the diamond's characteristics in an easy to understand format. Generally, a certificate or report covers the following characteristics of a diamond along with the laboratory and certificate details:

• Name of the Laboratory
• Certificate Number
• Shape and Cutting Style
• Measurements of the Diamond's diameter
• Carat Weight
• Color Grade
• Clarity Grade
• Cut Grade
• Finish, Polish & Symmetry
• Fluorescence
• Comments
• Plotted diagram of the diamond that shows the imperfections.
• Key to Symbols that help identify characteristics marked in the plot.
• Security Features for the certificate
• Graphical image of Diamond Structure
• Information about Diamond's Depth, Table, Girdles, Culet and Facets etc.

This certificate doesn't state the monetary value of a diamond.

There are many laboratories available throughout the world for diamond certification but the below mentioned laboratories are considered the most respected ones in the industry, for their consistency and unbiased diamond grading systems. Securing a certificate will provide you much-needed peace of mind knowing that you are getting your money's worth. Here are some reasons to buy a diamond along with its certificate:

A diamond certificate gives you the exact details of the stone and on the basis of this information you will be able to do some comparison-shopping before doing the actual purchase. A diamond certificate allows you to purchase on the basis of a stone's characteristics.

If you resell the diamond along with its certificate, you will get better price for the diamond. To get insurance for your diamond, you also need to produce a diamond certificate.

• The Gemological Institute of America (GIA)

  The Gemological Institute of America was established in 1931 in Los Angeles. The GIA created and introduced the international grading system. Headquarters are still located in Los Angeles.

• The Diamond High Council (HRD)

  The Diamond High Council is the officially recognized representative of the Belgium diamond trade and industry. HRD headquarters are located in Antwerp, Belgium, in the World Diamond Center.

• The American Gem Society Laboratories (AGSL)

  The American Gem Society Laboratories (AGSL) was established in 1934 in Las Vegas, Nevada by Robert M. Shipley, who also established the GIA.

It is standard practice in the diamond industry, to ask for a diamond's certificate or grading report from the jeweler before the purchase of it.