There are multiple choices when shopping for diamond engagement rings and diamonds in general. Universal Diamond Corp is pleased to provide you with a diamond guide so we can help you decide on the best diamond for you or your loved one. As metropolitan Atlanta's diamond expert and largest wholesaler of loose diamonds, we carry inventory of each of the diamond styles listed below, and we can make settings for any engagement ring that you have seen from other jewelers at a competitive price.   

Round-Cut Diamonds | Cushion-Cut Diamonds | Princess-Cut Diamonds | Emerald-Cut Diamonds | Asscher-Cut Diamonds | Radiant-Cut Diamonds | Oval-Cut Diamonds | Marquise-Cut Diamonds | Pear-Shaped Diamonds

Round-Cut Diamonds Round brilliant-cut diamonds are the most popular diamond shape available today. For hundreds of years, diamond cutters have been using advanced theories of light behavior and precise mathematical calculations to optimize the "fire" and "brilliance" in round diamonds. A round diamond will provide flexibility in terms of balancing cut, color, and clarity grades while still getting the fire—or sparkle—and brilliance you want. To maximize brilliance with traditional round diamonds, select a higher cut grade.

Cushion-Cut Diamonds Cushion-cut diamonds—also known as Pillow-cut diamonds—have rounded corners and larger facets to increase their brilliance. A Cushion cut is a square or rectangular cut with rounded corners and 58 brilliant-style facets that resemble a pillow shape. Cushions disperse more light which results in sparkle and brilliance. The sparkle and brilliance of the Cushion has more to do with the skill of the cutter in fashioning the facets than it does with the choice of facet patterns. Many Cushion-cut diamonds have a culet (small facet at the bottom of the pavilion) which can become a factor if it is visible to the eye. Where other pavilion facets reflect light back, the culet acts as a window through the diamond. Cushion-cut diamonds look nice in every style of engagement ring from the antique settings to the contemporary pave settings, so they are a great choice for a diamond shape if you want something a little different but still like brilliance and sparkle.

Princess-Cut Diamonds The Princess is traditionally the most popular non-round diamond. The beautiful brilliance and unique cut of this diamond make the Princess cut one of the most popular choices for engagement rings. The Princess cut, with pointed corners and traditionally square in shape, is a relatively new cut, having been around since the late 1970s. What makes Princess-cut diamond engagement rings unique is their distinctive look. They have a square top compared to the round top found in the more popular Brilliant cut. Some people even describe Princess-cut diamonds as looking like inverted pyramids. Princess-cut diamonds can vary greatly in how square or rectangular they are.

Emerald-Cut Diamonds The Emerald-cut diamond's shape is different because of its pavilion, which is composed of rectangular shaped cuts—or facets—to create a unique optical appearance. Due to its larger, open table, this shape highlights the clarity of a diamond. Emerald cuts reflect less light and therefore the clarity of an Emerald cut is important when buying a diamond. Also, Emerald-cut diamonds can vary greatly in how rectangular they are. Emerald-cut diamonds are often paired with other side stones. If you prefer an Emerald cut with a squared outline, look for an Asscher-cut diamond. The VS1-2 range is recommended as a minimum.

Asscher-Cut Diamonds The Asscher's unique shape is similar to the Emerald cut, except that it is square. Also, this shape has a pavilion that is cut with rectangular facets in the same style as the Emerald cut. The Asscher cut engagement ring, often referred to as the "Square Emerald Cut", has cropped corners. This diamond engagement ring is designed to draw the beholder's eye deep into the diamond.

Radiant-Cut Diamonds The Radiant cut is the name used to describe the cut-cornered, rectangular, or square modified brilliant. While some Radiant-cut diamonds have 70 facets (25 on the crown, 8 on the girdle, and 37 on the pavilion), the most common facet pattern has 62 facets (25 on crown, 8 on the girdle, and 29 on the pavilion). The Radiant-cut diamond is the first rectangular cut to have a complete brilliant facet pattern applied to both the crown and pavilion and as such presents a much more dazzling and brilliant diamond than the simple Emerald cut. Trimmed corners are the signature of this diamond, and they help make the Radiant cut a popular and versatile choice for jewelry. A Radiant cut looks equally beautiful set with either baguette or round side-diamonds.

Oval-Cut Diamonds An Oval-cut diamond has beautiful brilliance that's similar to a Round diamond. Oval diamonds are also very popular as their length can accentuate long, slender fingers. The Oval is seen most frequently cut in the standard 58 facet brilliant pattern, but can have a varying number of pavilion main facets ranging from 4, 6, or 8. In the Oval brilliant, there is an increased likelihood of having a bow tie effect—a dark area in the shape of a man's bow tie that occurs as a result of improperly cut angles. This can detract from the brilliance. Ovals are popular as center diamonds for engagement rings.

Marquise-Cut Diamonds The shape of a Marquise diamond can maximize carat weight, giving you a much larger-looking diamond. This brilliant-cut diamond looks beautiful set with Round or Pear-shaped side stones, and the length of the Marquise makes fingers appear long and slender.

Pear-Shape Diamonds The Pear-shape diamond is also called a "teardrop" for its single point and rounded end. This shape has set the standard for all other diamond shapes and accounts for more than 75% of diamonds sold today. Its 58-facet cut, divided among its crown (top), girdle (widest part), and pavilion (base), is calibrated through a precise formula to achieve maximum fire and brilliance. The unique look of the Pear shape helps make it a popular choice for a variety of diamond jewelry. If you choose an elongated pear shape, the length of the diamond creates a subtle slimming effect on the fingers.