Which Fancy Shape Engagement Ring Works Best for Your Look?

Selecting the perfect engagement ring requires a lot of thought. Beyond evaluating beauty, brilliance, and budget, you have to think about your lifestyle, finger shape, and personal taste. These considerations lead many toward fancy-cut gemstones like emerald, oval, and pear-shaped diamonds. Let’s take a deeper look at why these cuts make stunning alternatives to traditional round brilliant diamond engagement rings. 

The Allure of Fancy-Shaped Diamond Rings

While round brilliant diamonds stand out as the most popular diamond cut engagement ring shapes, fancy cuts breathe distinct beauty into engagement rings with their signature looks. Gracefully elongated shapes like emerald and oval speak of quiet sophistication and understated glamor. Softly rounded cushions and pears exude delicate femininity and romantic charm. The crisp geometric lines of a princess cut or radiant cut feel pleasantly modern and cleanly contemporary.

Unlike a round diamond’s endless 360-degree radial symmetry, these fancy shapes showcase the diamond’s innate fire and brilliance in unique ways. With larger, broad faceted surfaces, fancy shapes seem to glow with alluring mystique that captures the imagination.

But with so many options, how do you thoughtfully narrow your choice? Let’s take a look at the most popular fancy-cut diamonds so you can get a better idea of which might match your style.

Diamond Shapes to Suit Your Lifestyle

Just as your multidimensional personality shines with many facets, there are several different exquisite diamond shapes beyond the traditional round brilliant cut. 

The Timeless Beauty and Versatility of the Oval Diamond

Among fancy-shaped diamonds, the oval cut reigns supreme, second only to rounds in popularity. Its elongated yet curvaceous form brilliantly flatters the contours of the finger, making hands appear more delicate and refined. As one of the most brilliant cuts, oval cut diamonds symbolize the infinity and enduring continuity of lifelong love. They also make inspired statement pieces for heirloom solitaire rings to pass down for generations. 

An oval diamond’s sleek rounded edges, full bodies, and large surfaces refract light from all angles. Pairing fluid, graceful curves with a contemporary edge, these cuts transition effortlessly from everyday adventures to special nights out. Durable and classic, oval diamond rings withstand active lifestyles while conveying thoughtful style.

The Glamorous Allure of the Marquise Diamond

Resembling the sleek hull of an elegant sailing ship, the dramatic elongated marquise diamond cut conjures images of European royalty and historic prestige. Popularized in the mid-1700s, the Marquise’s bold architectural shape gracefully drapes the finger with eye-catching brilliance. 

The shape’s signature silhouette features quarter-moon cutouts on the sides, creating a brighter center appearance. For the fashion-forward, the brilliant Marquise exudes luxury styling cues and confidently communicates personal flair with a hint of risk-taking swagger. 

With two delicate points requiring occasional repolishing, marquise cuts shine brightest when saved for special wear or lower-impact occasions. Their elongating optical effect makes fingers appear longer and more slender, which is a major selling point for many brides-to-be.

The Organic Sensuality of a Pear Shape Diamond

Combining round brilliance with a delicate tapered point, pear-cut diamonds feel organic yet refined. Their unique asymmetrical silhouette brings visual intrigue, resembling an iridescent polished teardrop frozen in time. 

Pairing fiery brilliance with femininity, pear shapes beautifully complement long, slender fingers while creating the softening illusion of fuller, shorter fingers. As one of the most brilliant fancy diamond cuts, pears overflow with potential, symbolizing new beginnings full of promise. This makes them a fitting centerpiece for pairing with modern minimalist ring mountings.

That said, to preserve their delicate original luster for generations, pear-shaped rings are more suited for less active lifestyles where low-impact environments reduce the risk of chipping.

What Diamond Shape Ring Works Best for My Look?

When selecting your diamond, it helps to visualize shapes and silhouettes as a daily part of your life – not just in the coming months. It also helps to consider your unique attributes, such as finger length and width, which can affect the look of your ring. 

Emerald Cut Diamonds for Long Slender Fingers

Featuring crisp linear architecture in an elegant rectangular shape, emerald-cut diamonds beautifully accentuate the contours of long, slender fingers. Their large, open table facets reflect and disperse light in eye-catching bursts for exceptional brilliance. This gorgeous diamond cut imparts quiet confidence with bold symmetry.

Combining geometric Art Deco elegance with contemporary chic minimalism, emerald cuts make striking statement rings. Their sleek, elongated form declares elegance for those drawn to clarity in design motifs.

Cushion Cut Diamonds for Wider Hands

Featuring soft undulating pillow-like outlines, cushion-cut diamonds lend balanced aesthetic weight and curvaceous beauty to shorter, wider fingers. Their gentle, rounded corners beautifully catch, scatter, and reflect light in shimmering ripples around the finger for exceptional brilliance. 

Exuding approachable sophistication in traditional and modern ring settings, cushion cuts bring a quiet warmth and confidence without overpowering the hand. Their fluid shape and fiery brilliance combine to symbolize steadfast strength of character and resilience.

What Diamond Shape Ring Will Last a Lifetime?

When selecting an heirloom-quality engagement ring, timelessness rightfully remains top of mind. Round brilliant diamonds may eternally reign for their enduring beauty, but fancy shapes rule the imagination with their uniquely dynamic brilliance and personality. Their intriguing silhouettes and placements of light mesmerizingly dance upon the finger.

In terms of durability, however, some fancy-cut diamonds are more prone to chipping due to their prominent corners and edges. This includes Marquise, emeralds, and baguettes. On the other hand, round, oval, and cushions are generally more durable, making them ideal for people who lead active lifestyles or work with their hands. 

With all that said, the right setting can help promote durability, even with fancy, unique shapes. That’s why it’s so important to shop with a designer like John Atencio, who has spent nearly 50 years designing creative, durable settings for diamonds of every shape and size.

Choosing the Perfect Shape for Your Love Story

While trends come and go, your engagement ring should never go out of style. When it comes to choosing the perfect cut, there are so many options. John Atencio’s thoughtful experts can take the guesswork out of the selection process, leading you to that one perfect ring based on your preferences and style.

While other designers merely set a stone without much thought, John creates his one-of-a-kind design around the diamonds, setting the stones and ring in a harmonious union that’s as beautiful as your one-of-a-kind love story.

While deciding on the right engagement ring can feel confusing, your experience never has to feel that way. At John Atencio, our consultants can show you how to choose the perfect stone cut and carat, along with the perfect setting and complementary precious metal, based on your unique preferences. Shop online, visit one of our locations, or make an appointment to meet with our attentive consultants, who can guide you toward a breathtaking jewelry selection.