Oval Cut
An elongated brilliant. Nearly the sparkle of a round, and it looks larger for the same weight.
An oval brilliant uses the same facet logic as a round, stretched along one axis.
Because weight spreads across a wider face, an oval reads about 10% larger than a round of the same carat.
It shares the round's forgiveness towards colour and inclusions, unlike the step cuts.
When you are buying
The best-value classic cut. You get most of a round brilliant's performance, more apparent size, and a lower price per carat.
Round Brilliant
The standard round cut with 57 or 58 facets, engineered to return the maximum light. The most common cut there is.
Marquise Cut
A long pointed oval, tapering to a point at both ends. Looks larger than its weight and elongates the finger.
Pear Cut
A teardrop outline, round at one end and pointed at the other. The classic pendant and drop-earring shape.
Cut
How a stone is shaped and faceted. The one thing that most affects how it looks, and the one buyers examine least.