Once you discover the fascinating world of gemstones, it’s hard not to become addicted!
The incredible variety of gemstones, facets, shades and shapes set the imagination on fire and give rise to new and gorgeous designs. If you are designing a ring for a special occasion, there are several choices you’ll need to make — including the gemstones, metal and gem shapes we include in your ring. To make the decision a little easier, we’ve created a guide to our 9 different gemstone shapes and how they’re used to the greatest effect.
Round
Of all the most well-known gem shapes available, rounds are definitely the most common — simply because they’re by far the most versatile.
A large, round-cut gemstone provides a classic aesthetic for solitaire rings. Small, round-cut gemstones can be used to create a wide variety of patterns and pictures. For example, small, round gemstones can be set with tiny prongs as part of an iconic pavé or milgrain design. They can also be placed in a bezel setting to create the appearance of a flower or heart.
Oval
After rounds, oval-cut gemstones are the next most popular — especially when it comes to the gemstone centerpiece.
Compared to the other gem shapes, oval-cut gems are especially popular in halo designs as well as solitaires. In smaller sizes, oval-cut gems can be placed either in north-south or east-west bezel setting to create a solitaire ring with modern aesthetic. This is a great choice for a promise or everyday ring that requires a less formal aesthetic.
Pear
Pear-shaped gemstones are exactly what you would imagine — a rounded bottom with a point at the top that’s horizontally symmetrical. While this cut is not as well-known as gem shapes like round and oval, pear-cut gems provide a unique alternative for customers who want something a little different. Just like the previous cuts, pear-shaped gems can be used as the centerpiece of a solitaire ring. However, their potential really shines in smaller carats where they can be set decoratively as the leaves of a flower or accent stones with a difference.
Marquise
Like the pear cut, marquise-shaped gemstones are basically ovals. The difference is that a marquise-shaped gemstone is pointed at both ends.
At AZEERA, we use marquise gem shapes more frequently than pears as they offer wonderful versatility. In addition to simulating a petal or leaf, you can use marquise gemstones to create multiple geometric figures, as a standalone centerpiece, or in a woven design. Try this cut with your favorite gems. We’re sure you’ll love the result!
Cushion
The cushion gem shape imitates the idea of a throw-cushion — offering something of a hybrid between a square and a circle. This gem shape is usually used as the centerpiece for a halo or solitaire design and is especially popular in engagement ring styles. If a halo design is something you’re considering, it might help to know cushion gem shapes tend to be cheaper than their round counterparts for the same weight (known as carat). The reason for this is that less raw material is removed during the shaping process.
Princess
“Princess” sounds rather fancy, but this term actually refers to a gemstone cut in the shape of a square.
Fortunately, this shape is one of the most versatile for geometric as well as classic designs. Large princess-shaped gems look stunning as the centerpiece of a solitaire design. Smaller princess gemstones can be used in a channel setting to create eternity designs that shimmer with vibrance. If you like to use gem shapes more creatively, consider a geometric pattern — we love princess gemstones alternating with rounds.
Emerald Cut/Octagon
The emerald cut/octagon gemstone shape was named after the popularity of this shape as the one that best brings out the glow of emerald. It’s similar to a rectangle, with cropped corners to soften the effect.
In our custom rings, we often use emerald-shaped gems to create bar-set eternity bands that offer a continuous circle of color. You can also alternate emerald-shaped gemstones with rounds to create a geometric pattern. If you’d like to combine gem shapes with gemstones, consider trying this shape with peridot. As peridot is known as “evening emerald,” this cut is sure to bring out its glow!
Trillion
If you like your jewelry to be unique, a trillion shape is the way to go. This shape is similar to a triangle with three edges and three points, but the edges are curved rather than straight.
Of all the gem shapes we offer at AZEERA, trillion is one of the rarest and also one of the most beautiful.
If you would like to create jewelry with a trillion-shaped gem, we recommend placing this gemstone as the centerpiece, either in a solitaire design or surrounded by a decadent halo. The other way we tend to use trillions is as accent stones on either side of a round centerpiece. Experiment to find your favorite result!
Heart
What could be more romantic than a heart-shaped stone? We only rarely create heart-shaped gemstones because they are more intricate and require more material to make than any of the other shapes. However, on occasion, we have a client who has their heart set on a heart-shaped gemstone, and the result is always worth the effort.
If you decide on a heart-shaped gemstone for your ring, we suggest using this gem as the centerpiece in a solitaire or halo design. The result is a decadent ring that’s sure to become a family heirloom.
Customize with Gem Shapes at AZEERA
When we created AZEERA back in 2014, we wanted to bring our passion for gemstone shapes into every facet of the business. We and our extended families are involved in every step of the cutting process — from selecting the finest raw material — to cutting, faceting, polishing, and matching the finished gemstones into sets.
When you view one of our computer-modeled designs online, what you’re looking at is simply a suggestion of the gem shapes that we would recommend from experience. However, most of our rings can also be made with other shapes. Get in touch or request a quote under the product image to get started on your unique design!
