Diamonds have never really been out of fashion, and sales, in general, have risen throughout the decades. The cost per carat has also been rising steadily from 1960 through the next fifty years. The average price for a diamond rose ten-fold between the ’60s and 2015.
According to PR Newswire, the US diamond engagement ring market is expected to grow from 2022 to 2025. This sector has shown continued growth over recent times and shows zero signs of abating.
The most popular shape for diamond rings is the round cut which is responsible for more than two-thirds of sales. However, elongated diamond rings are starting to trend right now.
There are reasons for this, and if you are considering buying a diamond ring for yourself or a loved one, you might want to consider your options before purchasing a regular round-cut.
What are elongated diamond cuts?
Generally speaking, a diamond can be cut into any shape desired, but there are a number of more common cuts that are seen today.
There are around 10 or 12 commonly used shapes, with the round cut being the most common as previously mentioned. Other popular shapes include the heart shape and the oval.
Here are the most common diamond cuts available:
- Princess cut
- Oval cut
- Heart cut
- Marquise cut
- Baguette cut
- Pear cut
- Emerald cut
- Trilliant cut
- Cushion cut
- Radiant cut
- Asscher cut
- Round cut
Out of all of these shapes, some could be described as elongated. These designs can accentuate longer fingers and can look very elegant. These are the baguette, marquise, emerald, and oval cuts. The pear cut could also fit into this category.
Why are elongated diamonds popular?
Not all of the elongated cuts are the same, and some require higher levels of clarity as flaws can be more visible. However, it could be said that elongated cuts are classic and elegant, and they have one other advantage over different cuts; they work well with big diamonds.
Someone who wishes to have a big rock might want to consider an emerald or oval cut. The former has been highly popular with celebrities over the years, and a quick search of the internet will reveal many high-profile names sporting emerald cut diamond rings. More on this later.
Elongated rings can work well with larger diamonds, but they are also useful for making smaller diamonds look larger. They cover more area on the finger than round or radiant-shaped diamonds and can look more dramatic. Some cuts such as ovals have that sparkle factor that many individuals desire, while others such as the emerald create more of a flash effect.
Which ones are popular?
Below is a closer look at the popular elongated diamonds of the moment, and hopefully this will help to show that there are other options than the classic round cut.
The oval cut is popular now
An oval-shaped diamond ring is a desirable piece of jewelry and is also a classic. It is very suited to bigger gems, and a 7-carat oval diamond ring needn’t look overly unwieldy in this shape. Instead, the oval cut will produce a stunning piece of work that will look mind-blowing.
For those that want their diamond ring to be noticed, a 7-carat oval would definitely work. This ring would come in at something like 15.5mm long, and over 10mm wide if a 1.5 ratio was used. Smaller ratios will lead to rounder-looking ovals instead of the desired elongated effect.
Celebrities seem to love the emerald cut
Another very popular elongated cut is the diamond. There are numerous alternative gemstones for engagement rings, and emeralds are on-trend right now. Nevertheless, if you want to have the best of both options, then you can have a diamond shaped by using the emerald cut.
Celebrities seem to adore the emerald cut, and names such as Grace Kelly, Kim Kardashian, Elizabeth Taylor, Beyonce, and Paris Hilton, have all had emerald-cut diamonds on their fingers at some point.
The emerald cut is not as sparkling as the oval, and this means the color can be seen more. This may not be a bad thing, but it does mean that a big emerald-cut diamond will display inclusions – or flaws – easier than some other cuts.
The marquise cut is another option
The story goes that King Louis XV commissioned a jeweler to provide a uniquely shaped diamond that matched the shape of his mistress’s mouth. Whatever the whole truth, this cut certainly came from that era and is attributed to the King.
This isn’t the most popular diamond shape, but there are sound reasons for considering this cut. Marquise cut diamonds cost less than round cut ones due to there being less wastage. Not only this, but they can make a diamond look larger than it actually is by using a higher ratio.
How important is the cut, clarity, and color to a diamond?
The quality of the cut may have more importance than the actual shape. The shape of the diamond you choose should be what appeals to you, and what suits your hand.
The color and clarity are different matters altogether and can be affected by the carat. The GIA developed the chart to judge color, and there is another chart that measures clarity in diamonds.
The bigger the diamond, the more critical the clarity and color become. Once you start looking at diamonds over 1 carat it is more important that you seek gems with a higher level of clarity, although the price will also increase.
Summary
They say that diamonds are forever and so is love, and while trends and fashions may come and go, some designs always remain classics. The round-cut diamond is popular for a reason, it is a complete classic, and appeals to many people.
Yet, right now, elongated diamonds are having their time in the sun. Celebrities adorning emerald cut rings are certainly bringing these more unusual shapes back into the spotlight, and the oval and marquise are also selling more. Perhaps before you buy your loved one that round cut diamond, you might want to investigate all the other possibilities available.
