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A halo engagement ring features a centre diamond surrounded by a "halo" of smaller accent stones. This arrangement creates the illusion of a larger central stone and adds extra sparkle and brilliance to the ring. Halo settings can be found in various shapes, such as round, cushion, oval, or emerald cut.
Known for its maximum brilliance and fire, the round brilliant cut is the most popular diamond shape. Its symmetrical shape and 58 facets are designed to reflect the most light.
The oval shape offers a similar brilliance to the round cut but with an elongated form that can make the diamond appear larger and the fingers look more slender.
Characterised by its rectangular shape with step-cut facets, the emerald cut emphasises clarity and colour over brilliance, creating an elegant and sophisticated look.
The princess cut features a square or rectangular shape with pointed corners and brilliant-style facets. It is renowned for its modern appearance and excellent light performance.
Similar to the emerald cut but square in shape, the Asscher cut has deeply trimmed corners and more facets, enhancing its brilliance while maintaining a vintage charm.
Combining the elegance of the emerald shape with the brilliance of the round cut, the radiant cut has trimmed corners and numerous facets for a unique sparkle.
Also known as a pillow cut, the cushion shape has rounded corners and larger facets, offering a blend of classic and contemporary looks with a soft, romantic appearance.
Resembling a teardrop, the pear shape combines the round and marquise shapes, featuring a single point and a rounded end, which can elongate the appearance of the finger.
The marquise cut has an elongated shape with pointed ends, maximising carat weight and creating the illusion of a larger diamond.
Each diamond shape has specific characteristics that appeal to different tastes and preferences. When selecting a diamond, it's important to consider how the shape aligns with personal style and the desired look of the jewellery piece.
When purchasing an engagement ring, understanding the 4 C's—Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat—is essential to making an informed decision about the diamond's quality and value.
The cut of a diamond refers to how well it has been shaped and faceted. This is the most critical factor in determining a diamond's brilliance and sparkle. A well-cut diamond reflects light internally from one facet to another and disperses it through the top, creating maximum brightness. The GIA grades cut on a scale from Excellent to Poor.
Diamond colour is evaluated based on the absence of colour. The GIA colour scale ranges from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Colourless diamonds (D-F) are the rarest and most expensive, while those with slight colour (G-J) offer a more affordable option without a significant impact on appearance.
Clarity measures the presence of internal inclusions or external blemishes. The clarity scale includes grades from Flawless (no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification) to Included (inclusions visible to the naked eye). Higher clarity grades are rarer and more valuable, but many inclusions are microscopic and do not affect a diamond's overall beauty.
Carat weight measures the size of the diamond. One carat equals 200 milligrams. While larger diamonds are rarer and more expensive, the carat weight should be balanced with the other C's to maximise the diamond's overall appearance and value.
By understanding and evaluating these four characteristics, you can choose an engagement ring that meets your aesthetic preferences and budget.