Diamond shapes explained — the 10 cuts and what they suit

Shape changes a diamond's character more than any other choice.

1. Round brilliant — maximum sparkle, the pricing benchmark.
2. Princess — square, sharp sparkle, modern.
3. Oval — elongates the finger, big face-up spread.
4. Emerald cut — step facets, hall-of-mirrors elegance; inclusions show more (clarity matters here).
5. Cushion — rounded corners, vintage warmth, chunky sparkle.
6. Pear — teardrop; watch the bow-tie effect.
7. Marquise — maximum spread per carat, dramatic.
8. Radiant — emerald silhouette with brilliant sparkle.
9. Asscher — square emerald, deco flavour.
10. Heart — exactly what it says; romantic or nothing.

Fancy-shape pricing usually runs below round — the same budget buys more carats in oval or cushion. Bow-tie darkness (oval, pear, marquise) is the inspect-before-buying item.

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Go deeper — free

Watch the free replays at the gem webinar library — the gem e-book is the written companion. When curiosity becomes commitment, the gemmology foundation course is the ladder's first rung (online entry: GT100e); dates on the calendar. Play Name That Gem to train the eye between sessions.

What students say

“There is a very wide range of jewellery design programmes. Tanja's an expert and she encourages the class and is also open for catch-ups later.”

— Cecilia O. (Singapore) · published student feedback

“If you want to understand about jewellery, come to JDMIS.”

— Darvina P. (Singapore) · published student feedback

Free ways to explore

No sign-up, no payment — start with any of these.

WWatch a free gem webinarFREE
Full recorded sessions — the best free starting point.JJDMIS on YouTubeFREE
Course previews, blended-learning explainers and school life.FFree jewellery webinar replaysFREE
Recorded sessions on design and the jewellery industry.DDownload the gem e-bookFREE
The school's free guide to gems — pairs with the replays.

Keep exploring

Jade explained — jadeite vs nephrite, the distinction that mattersJadeite versus nephrite — the two jades compared in toughness, colour and value, with the Emerald — the garden gemEmerald explained — the beryl family's green treasure, why gardens (inclusions) are expectJewellery Video — watch, learn and make with JDMIS video educationVideo-first jewellery education — recorded gemmology webinars, online course options and bWatch the gem webinars — the free replay libraryThe free gem webinar replay library explained — what the recorded sessions cover, how to w

See the online and blended options

Gemmology can be started fully online, and every classroom course at JDMIS has a video-supported path.

Visit jdmis.edu.sg