Choosing an engagement ring isn’t just about picking a stone - it’s about selecting a shape that reflects your style, personality, and relationship. The gemstone cut influences not only how the ring looks but also how it catches the light, sits on the finger, and complements various settings and metals.

At Simon Wright Jewellery, we specialise in crafting bespoke engagement rings in London, designed to tell your unique story. In this detailed guide, we explore the different engagement ring cuts you can choose from, highlighting their key features, aesthetic qualities, and design potential.

Whether you’re dreaming of bold elegance, vintage charm, or modern simplicity, understanding the different cuts of gemstones will help you choose the engagement ring cut that fits your style best.

Types of Engagement Ring Cuts

From timeless brilliance to bold geometry, there are many ways to shape a stone. Each cut brings a different personality, sparkle, and feel to your ring. Below, we explore the most popular and unique types of engagement ring cuts, along with their features, ideal pairings, and who they’re best suited for.

Round Brilliant Cut

A round brilliant cut engagement ring is a true icon. A classic choice, this cut is engineered for maximum sparkle. It reflects light with unmatched brilliance, making it a favourite for traditionalists and lovers of timeless design. Its symmetrical shape also makes it incredibly versatile - it works beautifully in solitaires, halos, pavé settings, or modern minimal designs.

Round cuts pair especially well with platinum or white gold, which enhance the sparkle even more. Whether you choose a diamond or coloured gemstone, the round cut’s brilliance will always command attention.

Features:

Exceptional sparkle
Universally flattering and versatile
A classic choice for diamonds and coloured stones

Ideal For: Those who value timeless elegance and want maximum brilliance.

Princess Cut

The princess cut engagement ring is the ultimate in modern style. With its sharp corners and clean square shape, it delivers high sparkle thanks to its brilliant cut - much like a round cut, but with a geometric twist. It's often chosen by those who want something bright, yet a little bolder and more contemporary than a round cut.

Princess cuts suit more modern ring styles. They look fantastic with platinum, white gold, or rose gold, depending on whether you want cool elegance or warm contrast.

Features:

Angular, modern silhouette with impressive brilliance
Strong lines and clean geometry
Ideal for modern or architectural designs

Ideal For: Those drawn to bold, edgy, yet refined aesthetics.

Oval Cut

Oval engagement rings offer the brilliance of a round cut but with an elongated shape that flatters the hand. The larger surface area can make the stone appear bigger than a round of the same carat weight.

Ovals are incredibly versatile and pair well with solitaire, halo, or three-stone settings. They also look stunning with diamonds or coloured gemstones like sapphires and rubies. Their softer outline makes them a beautiful choice for those who want something timeless but with a contemporary twist.

Features:

Elongated shape that slims the finger
High brilliance and surface area
Ideal for both classic and modern settings

Ideal For: Those who want sparkle with a softer, sophisticated look.

Cushion Cut

A favourite among vintage-inspired rings, a cushion cut engagement ring has soft, pillow-like edges that evoke romance and elegance. Its larger facets allow for intense fire - those flashes of rainbow light that diamonds and certain gemstones emit.

Cushion cuts work beautifully with antique-style settings and look especially striking in rose gold or yellow gold. They’re a perfect blend of old and new, making them an excellent choice for anyone who wants something classic with a warm, luxurious feel.

Features:

Rounded corners with deep facets
Romantic and vintage-inspired
Soft, elegant appearance

Ideal For: Lovers of vintage glamour or romantic, softer shapes.

Radiant Cut

For those who want the sparkle of a round cut but the shape of an emerald cut, a radiant cut engagement ring could be the answer. This cut combines the best of both worlds with brilliant-cut facets and a rectangular or square outline.

Its trimmed corners give it a polished, sophisticated look, and its fiery sparkle makes it a favourite among modern couples. Radiant cuts look fantastic in solitaire or halo settings and work well with coloured gemstones, too.

Features:

Bright brilliance and fire
Clean geometric shape with softened corners
Ideal for both diamonds and coloured stones

Ideal For: Those who want sparkle with a more structured outline.

Emerald Cut

The emerald cut engagement ring is all about elegance and clarity. With long, step-cut facets that create a hall-of-mirrors effect, this cut highlights the quality and transparency of the gemstone rather than brilliance.

Emerald cuts shine brightest in high-clarity diamonds or coloured gems like emeralds or aquamarines. They pair beautifully with minimalist settings or art deco designs and suit platinum or yellow gold for a bold contrast.

Features:

Step-cut facets showcase stone clarity
Understated elegance with clean lines
Creates a “windowed” effect

Ideal For: Those who appreciate refined, architectural elegance.

Asscher Cut

Inspired by the Art Deco era, an asscher cut engagement ring has a square shape with deeply clipped corners and concentric step cuts that create a hypnotic geometric look. Think of it as a square emerald cut, but with a little more edge and vintage flair.

Asscher cuts are ideal for those looking for a standout shape that’s less common yet full of character. They look beautiful in antique-style or minimalist settings and work well with both diamonds and coloured stones.

Features:

Bold, geometric step-cut design
Art Deco-inspired with symmetrical sparkle
Rare and distinctive shape

Ideal For: Vintage lovers or those seeking a standout centre stone.

Marquise Cut

If you're looking to make a dramatic statement, a marquise cut engagement ring is a showstopper. With its long, narrow shape and pointed ends, it gives the illusion of a larger stone and elongates the finger.

Originally designed for French royalty, this cut carries a regal air and a vintage feel. It works beautifully in solitaire designs with tapered shoulders, vintage-inspired settings, or bold three-stone arrangements.

Features:

Maximises perceived size
Bold, tapered points for drama
Vintage glamour with a modern twist

Ideal For: Those who want an eye-catching, finger-lengthening design.

Pear-Shaped Cut

A pear-shaped engagement ring, also known as the teardrop cut, blends the best of the round and marquise cuts into a single, eye-catching silhouette. Its asymmetrical shape offers a slimming effect on the finger and delivers intense sparkle at the tip.

Pear shapes work well in various orientations - point up, point down, or even slightly off-centre for an artistic look. They shine in halo settings, modern solitaires, or vintage-inspired designs.

Features:

Unique teardrop shape
Brilliant sparkle with dramatic symmetry
Elongates and slims the finger

Ideal For: Anyone looking for a unique and feminine alternative to classic shapes.

Baguette Cut

While often used as accent stones, baguette cut engagement rings can also take centre stage in minimalist or Art Deco-inspired designs. With a slim, rectangular shape and step-cut facets, the baguette offers understated elegance.

They don't sparkle as much as brilliant cuts, but their clean lines and geometric simplicity are perfect for modern tastes.

Features:

Long, clean lines with step cuts
Minimalist, architectural look
Typically used as side stones or in modern settings

Ideal For: Minimalists and lovers of sleek, vintage-inspired design.

Other Engagement Ring Cuts

Looking for something less traditional? There are countless different gemstone cuts that allow for creative expression.

Square Cut: A square cut engagement ring offers strong symmetry and modern simplicity. It’s similar to the princess cut but with a less complex faceting pattern like a baguette - great for a clean, confident look.

Heart Cut: A heart cut engagement ring is one of the most personal choices - striking and symbolic, but not to everyone’s taste. A symbol of love and romance, this shape makes an emotional statement, but it also requires a highly skilled cutter to achieve proper symmetry and balance.

Custom Mixes: At Simon Wright Jewellery, we create custom engagement ring designs using a mix of gemstone cuts and shapes. From combining round and baguette cuts in a multi-stone layout to designing something asymmetrical and modern, your options are limitless.

How to Choose Between Different Engagement Ring Cuts

So, what is the best engagement ring cut for you? That depends on your style, priorities, and the story you want your ring to tell.

If brilliance is your top priority, cuts like round brilliant, oval, or radiant are your best bet. Prefer vintage charm? Look at cushion, asscher, or emerald. Want something distinctive? Explore pear, marquise, or heart-shaped options.

Also consider your lifestyle - sharp corners like those in princess cuts may need protective settings, while elongated shapes like oval or marquise can offer a larger appearance without extra carat weight.

Still unsure which direction to take? Check out our companion guide: Engagement Ring Styles and Cuts: All You Need to explore how each gemstone cut works with vintage, modern, and classic ring styles.

Bespoke Engagement Rings by Simon Wright

Choosing from all the various types of engagement ring cuts is about finding what resonates with you. At Simon Wright Jewellery, we take your vision and turn it into a reality.

Whether you’re drawn to a princess cut engagement ring, dreaming of an emerald cut engagement ring, or exploring custom stone cuts for engagement rings, we’re here to help you find the perfect match.

Book your consultation today and let’s design something unforgettable together.

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Different Engagement Ring Cuts Explained: Which One Is Right for You?

Types of Engagement Ring Cuts

Round Brilliant Cut

Princess Cut

Oval Cut

Cushion Cut

Radiant Cut

Emerald Cut

Asscher Cut

Marquise Cut

Pear-Shaped Cut

Baguette Cut

Other Engagement Ring Cuts

How to Choose Between Different Engagement Ring Cuts

Bespoke Engagement Rings by Simon Wright

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