Marquise vs. Oval vs. Round Diamonds - Which One Sparkles More?
When you’re selecting the perfect diamond for your engagement ring, one crucial factor to consider is the cut. As well as determining the shape of the diamond, the cut influences how brilliantly it sparkles. If you're a sparkle chaser, seeking that breathtaking brilliance that catches the eye, this decision becomes even more significant.
In this article, we'll compare three popular diamond cuts all celebrated for their fiery beauty: marquise, oval, and round. While they all typically have 58 facets, there’s one that shines the brightest. Wondering which one it is? Read on!
The Spectacular Sparkle of Marquise Cut Diamonds
Marquise cut diamonds are known for their distinctive narrow and elongated shape with tapered ends. This cut has a rich history dating back to the eighteenth century, when it was inspired by the shape of King Louis XV's mistress's lips. Today, it’s a popular choice for those seeking a unique, elongated shape with great finger coverage and a flattering appearance.
When it comes to sparkle, marquise cuts offer a unique brilliance that captures the eye. Their elongated nature maximizes the surface area that interacts with light, resulting in a remarkable display of sparkle. Thanks to its shallow depth and elongation, a marquise cut can appear larger than diamonds of the same carat weight in other cuts, making it a budget-friendly choice that doesn't compromise on brilliance.
A marquise cut diamond stands out when paired with an engagement ring setting that complements its characteristics. Top choices include:
Shine Bright Like an Oval
The oval cut diamond has an elongated and elliptical shape with rounded ends. It combines the brilliance of a round cut diamond with a distinctive elongated silhouette, creating a unique and eye-catching gemstone. Oval cut diamonds typically have 58 facets, similar to round brilliants, which allows them to exhibit exceptional sparkle and brilliance.
Oval cut diamonds are renowned for their brilliant sparkle. The 58 facets allow them to reflect light beautifully, creating a captivating display and enhancing their overall brilliance. They also elongate the fingers, creating an elegant, slender look, and tend to cost less than round brilliants of the same carat weight, making them a practical choice for those who desire both brilliance and value.
While the oval cut’s scintillating sparkle looks great in practically all engagement ring settings, the following styles make it look extra-shimmery:
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Vintage: Vintage engagement rings like The Catherine are characterized by intricate and timeless designs that beautifully complement oval cut diamonds. These settings often feature delicate details such as filigree, milgrain, and engraving, which enhance the diamond's inherent elegance.
- Side Stone: Side stone engagement rings like The Lindsey accentuate oval diamonds by incorporating smaller stones, such as diamonds or gemstones, along the band or surrounding the main stone. These side stones add an extra layer of sparkle that complements the brilliance of the oval diamond, creating a dazzling and eye-catching effect.
Brilliance Beyond Compare: Round Brilliant Diamonds
Round brilliant diamonds are renowned for their unparalleled sparkle. This classic diamond shape, with its 58 precisely cut facets, is engineered to capture and reflect light in the most brilliant and captivating way possible. The exceptional symmetry and proportions of round brilliants ensure that nearly all incoming light is refracted and dispersed, creating a stunning display of white light, fire, and scintillation.
This ability to reflect almost 100% light makes round brilliant diamonds the most popular choice for engagement rings, with approximately 70% of all rings featuring this remarkable cut. Thanks to their exceptional light-refracting properties, even diamonds with lower color and clarity grades can appear clear, bright, and beautifully brilliant. This quality allows individuals to save on budget without compromising on the diamond's breathtaking beauty.
If you’ve got your heart set on a round brilliant diamond, these settings will make it even more spectacular:
- Halo: Halo engagement rings like The Michelle are an exceptional setting choice for round cut diamonds due to their ability to magnify the diamond's brilliance and create a mesmerizing visual impact. The central round cut diamond, known for its exceptional sparkle, becomes the focal point of the ring, while a surrounding halo of smaller diamonds or gemstones adds an extra layer of radiance.
- Pave: Pave engagement rings like The Pave Nelly beautifully complement the diamond's natural brilliance while adding an extra layer of sparkle and elegance. The small, meticulously set diamonds on the band create a breathtaking backdrop that enhances the central diamond's radiance. These tiny accent stones reflect light from various angles, intensifying the overall sparkle and fire of the ring.
And the Winner Is....
The round brilliant diamond stands out as the ultimate symbol of brilliance and captivation. Renowned for its unparalleled sparkle and ability to reflect almost 100% of incoming light, it is no wonder that most engagement rings feature this remarkable cut. Round brilliants effortlessly mask imperfections and yellowish tones, offering clear, bright, and breathtaking beauty.
At Keyzar, we are proud to offer a wide range of engagement rings featuring this iconic cut, along with the marquise, oval, and many more. Our exquisite settings, such as the enchanting halo and the timeless pave, are carefully crafted to enhance the diamond's natural radiance, creating mesmerizing and enduring symbols of commitment. Whichever diamond cut captures your heart, you'll find the perfect expression of your love in our collection of stunning engagement rings at Keyzar.
