How To Pick & Set Pear Shape Engagement Rings
Pears. They’re round, luscious, and oh-so-luxurious to the touch. They also look out of this world on an engagement ring. In case you haven’t guessed, we’re talking about pear-cut diamonds here.
Seriously, though, you’ve got to love a pointy pear. All that elongated sparkle and shimmering symmetry practically begs to be worshiped. So what better place to put one than on your bae’s finger?
So how do you pick and set a pear? It’s not as easy to pick a winner as you might think- this unique shape has some hang-ups that can be a real snag. Like bowties, for instance. But don’t worry- here’s your ultimate guide to pick, set, and never regret your perfect pear engagement ring.
Do You Even Pear?
Okay, back to school, everyone! It’s time to learn all about pears. To begin with, pear-cut diamonds and other gemstones have a shape similar to teardrops or pears. (Hence the name, you know?) They have a pointed end and a rounded end, and their length-to-width ratio can vary depending on the specific cut.
In terms of glimmer, the pear is a modified brilliant cut, meaning that its faceting pattern is similar to the iconic round brilliant cut. Pears are designed to reflect as much light as possible, creating a dazzling display of brightness, fire, and scintillation. Put one on her finger and her eyes will light up even more!
Pears have been sealing commitment for hundreds of years, if you can believe it. They date back to the 15th century, when they were created by a Flemish polisher named Lodewyk van Berquem, and became all the rage in the 1700s, when no Georgian lady could get engaged without one. (Well, she could, but people would talk.) Since then, everyone from fashionistas to femme fatales has gotten married with one on her finger! Just take a look at Victoria Beckham and Cardi B!
Some more history before we move on. Among the most famous pear-shaped diamonds in history is the Great Star of Africa, also known as the Cullinan diamond. It was discovered in 1869 and was the largest polished gem in the world until the Golden Jubilee Diamond was found in 1985. Today, it’s part of the British Crown Jewel collection.
We’re Talking Ultimate Finger Coverage!
Let’s start by saying that pears look huge. This is due to their elongated shape and the way light interacts with the diamond itself.
The pear shape is a hybrid of a round and a marquise cut, featuring a tapered point on one end and a rounded edge on the other. Here’s why that affects size perception:
When a pear-diamond is set in a ring or other piece of jewelry, the pointed end is typically oriented towards the wearer's nail, making the diamond appear larger than it actually is and maximizing finger coverage.
With its elongated shape, pear cuts also have more surface area than a round diamond of the same carat weight, which means it can reflect more light and create a bigger visual impact.
The moral of the story? You can get what appears to be a much larger stone for the same budget! It’s true- pears are less expensive per carat than a round cut, so you’re looking at spending about 20% less overall. Even when you throw in a little finesse with the 4Cs (Cut, Colour, Clarity, & Carat), it’s still a major steal.
How to Pick the Perfect Pear
For those who are new to the diamond world, choosing the perfect pear for an engagement ring can be tricky. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered here with some tips for picking a winner!
Pear Slicer
Cut refers to the proportions, symmetry, and polish of the diamond, all of which affect its overall beauty, sparkle, and brilliance. Translated- it’s super important! While pears don’t have an official cut grade, your eyes will tell you whether to pick or pass.
When a pear-shaped diamond is well cut, its proportions will allow maximum light to reflect from its surface and disperse through its facets. Poorly cut diamonds, on the other hand, may not reflect light properly resulting in a dull and lifeless appearance. They can even have symmetry issues, such as an off-center point or an uneven curve. Not something you want to propose with, you know?
If you’re buying your engagement ring online, take advantage of the 360 preview option. You can get up close and personal with your rock and say ‘yes’ to it before she does.
Not So Boujee Bowties
Bowties look elegant at galas. On diamonds? Uh, no. Bowties are dark, bow-shaped shadows that appear in some diamonds, usually in shapes such as pear, oval, and marquise cuts. The bowtie effect is caused by light passing through the diamond and reflecting off the facets in a way that creates a dark area in the center.
Dark bowties are generally considered undesirable in diamonds, since they can detract from their beauty and affect their overall appearance. A prominent bowtie can create an uneven distribution of light throughout the diamond, leading to a loss of brilliance. This can make the diamond appear dull, lifeless, and less attractive.
A diamond's bowtie effect can vary in degree: some stones may have a subtle bowtie that is barely noticeable, while others may have a prominent one that downgrades its beauty. Having said that, some people kinda like dark bowties, feeling that they add dimension. If you’re not one of them, though, this might be something to think about.
A Clear Pearing
Here’s a secret- pears can hide a LOT of imperfections behind their sparkle. Ergo, you don’t have to worry so much about clarity as you would with some other cuts. An eye-clean pear with a lower clarity grade looks just as stunning as a flawless one, the only difference is that you’ll save a lot of cash.
To score really big, look for a VVS diamond or even an VS. You’ll get maximum bling for your buck and she’ll totally love it.
Colorful Teardrops
In comparison with a round cut, pears tend to hold more color because of their shallow shape. The sparkle hides some of it, but you want to make sure you get a stone that appears colorless. Fortunately, you don’t have to take out a second mortgage to make that happen for your bae- if you snag a F-G pear, it will still look colorless BUT you’ll save a lot of money.
Cute and Cuddly
Pear Settings
You’ve decided on a pear cut diamond- AWESOME! Now how do you set it so that she says, “Oh YES” to it- and you?
It’s true that pears have a super unique silhouette. But don’t let the shape intimidate you- pears are actually very versatile and look good in almost any setting. With a nature-inspired design like The Twig, however, the combination of slender, twig-like band and pear-cut stone is especially exquisite.
Prong Song
Given their unique shape, pear cuts need an equally singular setting. With engagement rings, you’ll usually find them in three or five-prong settings. Here’s a tip: pears under 3 carats are usually set with three prongs while anything higher needs five prongs to hold all that extra chunk. Got a big rock? Go five-prong, baby!
Not So Simple Solitaire
The solitaire setting is the quintessential engagement ring. If you’re determined to sway your bae with this traditional classic, check out The Crown Kamellie. This elegant combination of super-delicate band and shimmering pave hidden crown gives off just the right amount of shimmer and gleam.
Sparkle Gets The Pear
Is your b-loved all about the sparkle? Surprise her with The Hidden Halo Penelope, which is pure shimmer city! This micro pave hidden halo engagement ring features breathtaking diamond accents on its shoulders. The center stone is claw-set to ensure a flawless finish, and when that center stone is a pear-cut diamond, the effect is out of this world!
All Wrapped Up
If your one and only is bold and bodacious, she’ll fall hard for The Pave Skyler. The lustrous pave band is artfully twisted so that it wraps smoothly around a pear cut center stone. The added glimmer makes an already-large stone look even bigger, which is a major win. Modern, sophisticated, gorgeous- what’s there NOT to love about this ring?
Sidestep, Sparkle, Repeat
The Naomi is an engagement ring that was simply meant for a pear cut center stone! This simple band features elegantly-decorated shoulders, beautifully framed by pear- and round-cut side stones surrounding an opulent hidden halo. The design stretches the already-generous silhouette of the pear, giving it a whole new vibe with edge-to-edge sparkle!
Pairs Well With Pears
Pear engagement rings look amazing with whatever you can throw at them. They make absolutely stunning little stacks, especially in an slightly elevated setting like a hidden halo. Now THAT’s a beautiful thing, people!
What About Wedding Bands?
We’re all about matching sets, especially when it comes to wedding jewelry. Try nesting a pear-cut engagement ring over a diamond -studded band like The Mia puzzle-piece style, or go totally renegade and mix and match. Here are some other ideas:
The Eve is a lustrous and superb solitaire ring with a graceful bamboo band. When paired with the modest grace of The Natalie, you’ve got a winning wedding combination!
The Angelina is an enchanting split-shank engagement ring with intertwining rows of dazzling diamonds. It’s truly exquisite on its own, but when you pair it with The Sofia, you get nonstop sparkle from all sides. Truly extraordinary!
The Twig engagement ring is a major favorite with a tree-inspired band that shimmers with accent diamonds. Stacking it with a Twig wedding band proves you can never have too much of a beautiful thing.
The Low Profile Kamellie is a classic solitaire with a sparkling hidden halo that accents its low-profile silhouette. If you’re looking for its perfect partner, we recommend The Penelope, whose seven flawless accent diamonds will amplify the glitter and glamor.
Regardless of what you choose, the elongated shape of the pear reaches over the wedding band, incorporating it into one flawless look.
Get To The Point
Pears and chevrons? If there was ever a match that was meant to be, this is it! That perfect point looks stunning when accentuated by a chevron shape. Not only does it extend the sparkle, but it actually makes the stone look larger.
Try ‘pearing’ her engagement ring with a simple pave band or add some texture with a band like The Kristen or The Mellany. Pears and points were made for each other, you know? Just like you and your one and only!
If you REALLY want to make an impression, pair the muted stylishness of The Ellie with The Chevron Helen to completely surround your pear in sparkle! This elegant and modern pointed pave band will accent your center stone, extending its brilliance and creating a unique and shimmering silhouette.
A Little Bit Of Everything For All Time?
Here’s a little style tip- pear engagement rings look amazing with eternity rings!
You can pair a simple solitaire with a chonky eternity ring to double the size and grandeur of the band- but that’s only a suggestion! To see what we mean, check out this irresistible combination of the Eve with the bold and icy-cool dimensions of The Emerald U Prong Eternity ring.
So long as you’ve got a higher set pear engagement ring, you can add an eternity to the mix later on. That little bit of overlap does all the work and has both of you dreaming of forever!
Poised For Pear Perfection?
While pears are a long-time favorite, the teardrop shape is just something special, you know. Maybe it’s all that extra space for sparkle or perhaps it’s the way the perfect point ties a whole stack together. Whatever it is, we are living for it.
Seriously, whether you go simple with a stunning solitaire or help yourself to a heavy helping of pavé sparkle, pears make for a legendary look. It also doesn’t hurt that they’re poised for perfect stacking down the line.
So, are you ready to get a lot more sparkle for your skrilla? Let us help you snag and set your perfect pear shape engagement ring.
