If you're looking for a luxurious-looking gemstone that's affordable and sustainable at the same time, lab made diamonds are the best option for you! Lab made diamonds are diamonds grown in laboratory environments that are extremely controlled using hi-tech processes that replicate the natural conditions that diamonds develop in.
Over the years, lab made diamonds have grown in enormous popularity because they offer the same level of beauty and luxury as natural diamonds, excluding the high prices and environmental risks. Moreover, lab made diamonds come in various shapes and styles, so you have many options to choose from. In this article, we enumerate the most stylish shapes of lab made diamonds that are sure to make you look more elegant.
Round diamonds are a classic and timeless choice for engagement rings. Round is by far the most famous diamond shape for multiple reasons. For one, the round cut features 57 or 58 facets intended to generate maximum sparkle and brightness in an otherwise colourless diamond.
Keep in mind that how your round diamond is cut matters a lot – a well-cut round diamond tends to have superior sparkle and lighter performance compared to a poorly cut diamond of the same colour, weight, and carat.
Moreover, it’s important to choose right depth and table since they play a huge role in determining the appearance, brilliance, and value of a diamond. For round cut diamonds, the ideal table percentage is 55% - 58%, while the ideal depth percentage is 59% to 62.6%.
As its name suggests, this dazzling shape of diamond was initially made for emerald gemstones. The emerald cut is also popularly known as the step cut, whose faceting provides the diamond with a hall of mirrors effect. This effect means that the emerald shape is perfect for showing off the clarity and colour of a diamond.
Furthermore, emerald diamonds give off dramatic and distinctive flashes of light. The ideal table percentage for emerald cut diamonds is 60% to 68%, and their ideal depth percentage is 61% to 68%.
If you’re into complex cuts, marquise diamonds might very well interest you. A marquise-cut diamond usually features an elongated shape that’s often referred to as a “football” or an “eye” shape. The name of this diamond cut is actually derived from the Marquise of Pompadour whose perfectly shaped mouth was allegedly the inspiration for the shape of the stone.
Due to being narrow and long, marquise-cut diamonds can create the illusion of larger size per carat. They also have one of the biggest crown surface areas of a diamond shape, thereby making them an incredible choice when trying to maximise a diamond’s perceived size.
However, it’s worth noting that marquise diamonds often have some degree of bow tie, which varies from severe to near invisible. If you’re interested in purchasing a marquise diamond but are concerned about the visibility of a bow tie effect, it’s advisable to conduct visual inspection first. When it comes to table and depth, the ideal percentages for a marquise cut are 53% to 63% and 58% to 62%, respectively.
Oval cut is one of the most popular shapes for lab made diamonds. Oval-cut diamonds ordinarily provide a unique and graceful style to any ring, with plenty of sparkle and fire from the dazzling cut faceting pattern. With its greater surface area, oval is a famous choice for a diamond shape because it can make a diamond look larger than other cuts of diamonds of the same carat weight.
Like marquise diamonds, oval diamonds are also known for displaying a bow tie or a shadow that passes over the width of the diamonds. With that said, such a bow tie effect is usually just minimal to non-existent, especially in a well-cut oval diamond. For this diamond shape, the ideal table percentage is 53% to 63%, while the recommended depth percentage is less than 68%.
A pear-shaped diamond is considered to have the combination of a round cut and a marquise cut since it has all the glitter of a round diamond and the finger-flattering cut of a marquise. Due to their broad base and elongated characteristic, pear diamonds are deemed to have the most significant spread among all the diamond shapes.
Hence, they also look the largest on the finger. If you're into large glamorous diamonds, pear-shaped ones are a great choice. You should specifically pick those with a table percentage of 53% to 65% and a depth percentage of less than 68%.
However, keep in mind that like oval diamonds and other elongated shapes, pear diamonds tend to possess an inevitable bow tie effect. The bow tie effect is considered an imperfection in a diamond that arises due to cutting. It typically appears in the middle of the diamond when its facets aren’t reflecting the light properly.
What many people don’t like about the bow tie effect is that it tends to seclude a large part of the diamond and make a diamond with amazing characteristics less attractive. In some cases, it can even affect the value of a diamond. However, on the flip side, the bow tie effect can also give a diamond a unique spin and enhance its sparkle. Plus, it can highlight the diamond’s shape and make it even more appealing to the eyes.
A cushion cut is considered a romantic shape that beautifully combines diamonds' round and square shapes. Cushion diamonds are also sometimes called "pillow diamonds" because they resemble the shape or appearance of a pillow. They feature round edges that give them a unique and easily recognisable appearance.
Like round diamonds, cushion diamonds come with 58 facets and plenty of brilliant sparkles. A cushion cut is ideal if you want a diamond shape that'll give your engagement ring an antique or vintage feel. Cushion diamonds often come with a classy look that makes you look and feel more sophisticated. The most recommended table percentage for cushion cut diamonds is less than 68%, whereas the best depth percentage is 61% to 68%.
Ultimately, lots of shapes can be made with lab made diamonds. Choosing the right shape of diamond for your engagement ring is essential, as your choice will reflect your unique style and enhance your overall glamour. If you want a highly in-demand yet still incredibly stylish diamond, consider the round, emerald, pear, and cushion shapes!
For the most stunning jewelry pieces you can for your choice of the occasion, LeCaine Gems is the merchant you can trust! LeCaine Gems is among the best of Singapore's online jewelry shops that offer a wide range of exquisite jewelry, from getting your bespoke piece to lab made engagement rings. Our jewelry comes in various shapes and designs, with plenty of stones you can choose from.
As our in-house artisans from premium materials specially craft all our jewelry pieces, you can guarantee that we can meet your expectations. Feel free to book an appointment or send us a WhatsApp message at +65 8020 0353 to learn more about our elegant jewelry pieces.
