# Shapes & Cuts

URL: https://diamonds.com.lb/education/shapes/ · Updated 2026-10-12

Shape is the first decision and the most personal one. Each cut handles light differently, wears differently, and says something different. A brief field guide, written from the trade's side.

> **Quick answer:** A diamond's shape is its outline. Round brilliant gives the most sparkle; princess is square and crisp; cushion is soft and fiery; oval, pear and marquise look larger for their weight; emerald and asscher are step cuts that need higher clarity. Choose the shape she loves first, then the best-cut stone within it.

## Round Brilliant

Fifty-seven facets engineered over a century for maximum fire. The brightest shape, the safest resale, the eternal default. See [round diamonds in stock](https://diamonds.com.lb/round-diamonds-lebanon/) or read our [round brilliant diamond guide](https://diamonds.com.lb/round-brilliant-diamond-guide/).

## Princess

Square, sharp, contemporary. Strong brilliance at a friendlier price per carat than round. Corners need a protective setting. See [princess cut diamonds in stock](https://diamonds.com.lb/princess-cut-diamonds-lebanon/) or read our [princess cut diamond guide](https://diamonds.com.lb/princess-cut-diamond-guide/).

## Cushion

A pillow-soft square with antique soul and big, slow flashes of light. The romantic's brilliant. See [cushion cut diamonds in stock](https://diamonds.com.lb/cushion-cut-diamonds-lebanon/) or read our [cushion cut diamond guide](https://diamonds.com.lb/cushion-cut-diamond-guide/).

## Oval

Elongates the finger and faces up larger than its weight. The modern favourite for exactly those reasons. See [oval cut diamonds in stock](https://diamonds.com.lb/oval-cut-diamonds-lebanon/) or read our [oval cut diamond guide](https://diamonds.com.lb/oval-cut-diamond-guide/).

## Emerald

A step cut: long, mirror-like facets that flash rather than sparkle. Demands higher clarity and rewards it with pure elegance. More in our [emerald cut diamond guide](https://diamonds.com.lb/emerald-cut-diamond-guide/).

## Radiant

Emerald's silhouette with brilliant-cut fire, the best of both geometries. See [radiant cut diamonds in stock](https://diamonds.com.lb/radiant-cut-diamonds-lebanon/).

## Pear

A teardrop that points gracefully down the finger; wears large, reads couture. More in our [pear shaped diamond guide](https://diamonds.com.lb/pear-shaped-diamond-guide/).

## Marquise

The largest face-up spread of any shape per carat. Dramatic, regal, unmissable. More in our [marquise diamond guide](https://diamonds.com.lb/marquise-diamond-guide/).

## Asscher

The square step cut of the Art Deco era, an acquired taste that owners never un-acquire. More in our [Asscher cut diamond guide](https://diamonds.com.lb/asscher-cut-diamond-guide/).

## Heart

The most literal romance in gemcutting. Proportion is everything, ratio matters more than carat. See [heart shaped diamonds in stock](https://diamonds.com.lb/heart-shaped-diamonds-lebanon/).

Undecided? The honest shortcut: borrow her Pinterest, or send us a photo of anything she has admired, [we'll read the signals with you](https://diamonds.com.lb/contact/).