How To Choose The Best Diamond Shape

An engagement ring is one of the most important pieces of jewelry you or your fiancée will ever own. Not only is it going to adorn your or your fiancée’s hand for the rest of your life, but it is also an important symbol of your love and commitment to your spouse.

A lot goes into selecting the perfect engagement ring, including the style of ring, the diamond carat weight, the metal for the band, and so on. But perhaps the most important part of your engagement ring is the diamond shape. You have a lot to think about when choosing a diamond shape, but rest assured that the experts at Roman Malakov are here to help. Not only will we educate you on the 4 C’s, give you an overview of Diamond Shapes 101, and teach you all you need to know about metal options and ring settings, but we can also make recommendations on how to choose a diamond shape for your hand, the best diamond carat size on your hand, and so much more.

Find the Best Diamond Shape for Your Hand

There are ten primary diamond shapes. Some are very common while others are rare; some are versatile and easily worked into a variety of jewelry designs, while others need settings specifically made for that particular diamond cut shape. 

A lot of your final decision on diamond cut shape will be about personal preference, but if you’re at a complete loss about what you want, start by narrowing down your choices by asking yourself: What is the best diamond shape for my hand?

When in doubt, round diamonds are the way to go. Round diamonds are the most popular shape due to the cut bringing out the diamond’s brilliance. In addition to always being in style, the round-cut diamond has a rich history that adds to its classic, timeless shine. It’s been around since the 1800s and was perfected by Marcel Tolkowsky in 1919 when he mapped out the perfect proportions. Of course, jewelers continue to improve diamond cutting technology, which is how other more elaborate, stylish shapes have begun to offer more shine and brilliance.

Small Hands

If you have smaller hands or shorter fingers, you’ll generally want a smaller stone so that the ring doesn’t overwhelm the hand and fingers. Round, Asscher, princess, and cushion shapes are the best diamond shapes for small hands, particularly when a bold and elaborate ring isn’t being considered. Along with the best diamond shape for short fingers, those with smaller hands should also have thinner bands or even split-shank bands so as not to overpower the hand.

Wider Fingers

If you have wider fingers and are wondering how to choose a diamond shape that looks great, go for a fancier diamond shape, such as emerald, marquise, oval, or rectangular. This will accentuate the length of the fingers in a positive way, and elongate them with a thin and long diamond.

Shorter Fingers

The best diamond shape for short fingers can go one of two ways. You could go with a smaller, more traditional stone shape, like round, cushion, Asscher, or princess, so as not to emphasize the shortness of the fingers. Or, you could go down the route of trying to elongate the fingers with a thin, fancy-shaped diamond, such as a marquise, oval, emerald, or pear. 

Long, Skinny Fingers

If you have longer, skinnier fingers, radiant, round, and heart diamond shapes are best. If you want to make your fingers look a bit longer, the best diamond shapes to consider are pear, marquise, and oval, set vertically on the finger. Larger hands can handle a little boldness, and these diamond-cut shapes will accentuate the length of the fingers while still making a statement.

Diamond Shapes: Find the Best Cut and Carat for You

Now that you have an idea of how to choose a diamond shape for your hand, it’s time to look at the best diamond carat size on your hand. The perfect diamond size on your hand is going to depend on personal preference, but there are some guidelines and suggestions to consider to make sure your ring looks exactly the way you want it to on your hand.

It’s easy to see a giant, sparkly stone that takes your breath away and envision how perfect it will look on your hand. However, if you have smaller hands and the stone is too big, the large diamond size on your hand will often look overwhelming. At the same time, you may be set on a simple solitaire engagement ring with a small stone, but if you have long fingers or larger hands, it may look itty bitty and not at all how you envisioned.

Generally speaking, the average stone size for an engagement ring is between 1.0 and 1.5 carats. Keep in mind that it all depends on budget and personal preference. There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Therefore, really consider your lifestyle, your personal style, and what you envision when you think about the diamond size on your hand. It’s very important to try rings on so you can see the diamond carat size on your hand rather than just in a display case or on a screen.

Shop Roman Malakov for the Best Diamond Shape & Size

If you’re overwhelmed by the options of diamond cuts or shapes or feeling lost when it comes to the ideal diamond carat size for your hand, trust that the staff at Roman Malakov has you covered. Our jewelry experts will show you a variety of options from our wide selection of high-quality diamond engagement rings, and they will help you make the best decision for your ring. Contact us now to ask your questions, browse online, book an appointment, or visit us at our NYC Diamond District location today.