Which Diamond Shapes Look Bigger?

Discover How to Make Your Diamond Ring Look Even Larger!

Exciting news: certain diamond shapes create the illusion of a larger size. The trick is to find the right shape and design that makes the size of the diamond ring look bigger than its carat size! Join us as we reveal the secrets to transforming a popular 1.5 or 2.0 carat diamond ring into a jaw-dropping celebrity-worthy statement piece! 

First thing you should know is that carat size is a measurement of the stone’s weight, not physical size. Diamond prices are determined by carat weight, and by selecting one of the diamond shapes below, you can make your diamond engagement ring appear larger than its actual size!

Of course, the choice of diamond shape is crucial in expressing your unique style, but it also plays a significant role if size matters to you. Depending on the diamond shape you opt for, the millimeter measurements will vary, resulting in some shapes appearing larger. The diamond shapes featured below may lack depth, but they compensate with a larger table (the top, flat surface area of a diamond), creating the illusion of a bigger stone to the naked eye.

For instance, a Princess Cut (Square Shape) 3.0 carat diamond measures 8.25x8.25mm, featuring a small table yet a deeper diamond. On the other hand, a Marquise 3.0 carat diamond measures 14x7mm, boasting a much larger table but less depth, despite having the same carat weight.

Depth vs. Surface Area

The marquise diamond shape has the largest appearance of any shape. It has a similar elongated look as the oval and pear shapes, but both ends form tapered points. The marquise shape will always look the largest because those tapered points create the largest surface area of all the shapes. As with the pear shape, make sure an expert jeweler helps you evaluate the best settings to compliment and protect the tapered ends.

Summary: Marquise cut diamond shape will always look the biggest, even with the same carat weight as another diamond shape.

Pear-shaped diamond engagement rings are gorgeous and unique, with one side rounded and the other forming a tapered point. The tapered point gives this shape even more surface area than the oval. Get ready to shock people when they find out the actual size of your pear-shaped diamond engagement ring: they’ll think it’s way more carats than it looks!

Summary: Pear cut diamond is the second largest shape and it can be complementary with a pointed manicure.

Summary: The Brilliant Round cut diamond, even though the most popular shape, will look smaller on your hand compared to a fancy shape diamond.

The third largest appearing shape is an oval diamond. Its length and larger surface area makes the diamond appear bigger, and an added bonus is that the elongated shape gives the wearer the appearance of long, slender fingers.

Summary: Oval cut diamonds appear larger and they are a very flattering shape to your fingers.

An emerald-shaped diamond is a rectangular shape with blocked (i.e. cut-off) corners. This shape can make the diamond appear bigger because of its large table. In addition, the step cut of an emerald-shaped diamond gives it a mesmerizing “hall of mirrors” look that will also make it appear bigger.

Summary: Emerald cut diamonds look larger and they have a unique dimensional look to them.

Summary: A Pear Cut Diamond is the second largest shape and it can be complementary with a pointed manicure.

With clean, square lines and beautiful sparkle, the shape of the Princess Cut is recognizable by its sharp right-angle corners and ranks as our second most popular shape, after the round brilliant cut. Despite its popularity, it is tied for the smallest surface area along with the Asscher and Cushion shapes.

Summary: Carat-for-carat, The Princess Cut always looks smaller.

Whether one of these shapes speaks to your personal style or not, there’s one other thing you can do to maximize your diamond size:

Ideal diamond settings are often overlooked because so much attention is given to the center stone. However, a great setting can really emphasize the diamond and take it from gorgeous to breaktaking. For example, halo settings are gorgeous, but the wrong halo can drown out a center stone. The ring itself is bigger with a halo, but if not done well, the center stone gets lost and looks smaller.

To remedy this, A classic solitaire will perfectly highlight your diamond. With anything north of a 1.25 carat diamond, a solitaire setting is a great choice. The simplicity of the solitaire lets your diamond shine, with no competition.

Lastly, the thinner the band on your setting, the larger the look for your diamond, as well!

Our favorite solitaire settings that highlight the center stone and offer a thin but solid band (so you can wear your gorgeous ring everyday, stress-free!) include the Millie Hidden Halo Engagement Ring features a hidden halo of 0.06ctw lab grown diamonds with a delicate high polish band that measures only 1.5mm, and the Maggie Solitaire Engagement Ring features the solitaire center stone with a delicate, thin metal band measuring only 1.5mm.

Even if the classic Round diamond didn't win for looking the biggest, there is one huge reason why people keep coming back to it. Brilliant round cut diamond shapes maximize the brilliance, scintillation, and fire of a stone. That is, you’ll get the most sparkle from a round-shaped diamond. Along with a great cut, the round shape is optimal for light to enter, refract, and dazzle us with flashes of radiance.

Maybe an oval, pear, or marquise shape isn’t for you, but you still want that bigger diamond. The truth is, you can get literally double the diamond when you choose a lab grown diamond versus earth-mined. So, if a simple solitaire with a round diamond is your dream, MiaDonna can make it happen. Even better, when you choose to buy a truly ethically sourced and certified Lab Grown Diamond engagement ring with us, you are making the most environmentally-friendly, socially-conscious, and fiscally responsible choice because your purchase gives back 10% to The Greener Diamond Foundation.

In Conclusion: Elongated fancy shaped diamonds tend to have a larger table while being shallower, giving the appearance of a larger diamond on your hand.

Ready to find your dream diamond? Discover MiaDonna’s loose Lab Created Diamond collection and search by shape. To speak to a fine jewelry and diamond expert who can help you decide on a size, shape, setting (and everything else), book a virtual appointment or come visit us at our Portland store!