The Art of Diamond Proportions
Every diamond shape has its own unique character, and its beauty is defined by shape-specific quality factors. Select your preferred shape below to discover what makes a truly exceptional diamond.
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The princess cut is the most popular non-round diamond, admired for its exceptional brilliance and distinctive style—making it a top choice for engagement rings. Defined by sharp, pointed corners, this cut is traditionally square in shape.
When selecting a color grade, keep in mind that while a J-color princess-cut diamond offers excellent value, slight color may be visible at the corners. Princess diamonds also vary in proportion, appearing either perfectly square or slightly rectangular. To achieve your preferred look, check the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond’s detail page. This ratio determines how the diamond appears when viewed from above.
Below are the length-to-width ratios for princess-cut diamonds that are considered most visually appealing.
For a perfectly square princess-cut diamond, we recommend a length-to-width ratio between 1.00 and 1.05. If you’re drawn to a more elongated, rectangular look, choose a ratio of 1.10 or above. For those seeking exceptional brilliance and superior light performance, a GD-selected princess-cut diamond offers outstanding sparkle and beauty.
Begin your bespoke creation with the brilliance of a Princess-cut diamond.
The emerald cut is distinguished by its step-cut pavilion and elongated rectangular facets, creating a sophisticated “hall-of-mirrors” effect. Its large, open table places greater emphasis on a diamond’s clarity, making transparency and quality especially important. When selecting an emerald-cut diamond with a lower clarity grade, such as SI, we recommend carefully reviewing the clarity plot on the diamond certificate.
Emerald-cut diamonds vary in outline, ranging from more elongated rectangles to softer, squared proportions. If you prefer a more square appearance, an Asscher-cut diamond is an excellent alternative. To achieve your ideal shape, refer to the length-to-width ratio in our interactive diamond search and on each diamond’s detail page. This ratio defines the diamond’s overall outline when viewed from above.
For a timeless, classic emerald-cut look, a length-to-width ratio between 1.40 and 1.50 is considered most visually pleasing.
Your jewelry design begins with an Emerald diamond
The Asscher cut is a beautifully distinctive shape, closely related to the emerald cut but defined by its perfectly square outline. Featuring a step-cut pavilion with rectangular facets, it delivers a striking, symmetrical brilliance and a refined optical effect.
Because this cut emphasizes a diamond’s clarity, we recommend carefully reviewing the clarity plot on the diamond certificate when selecting SI-clarity stones. When choosing a color grade, keep in mind that while J-color non-round diamonds offer exceptional value, slight color may be visible at the corners.
At GD, all Asscher-cut diamonds are selected to maintain a balanced, square appearance, with length-to-width ratios between 1.00 and 1.05, ensuring timeless elegance and visual harmony.