Diamond Shapes - How to Choose the Perfect Shape

If yo've decided to give your wife diamond jewelry for her anniversary, you're a wise man. Nothing makes a woman feel quite as beautiful and special as the dazzle and sparkle of diamonds; and diamond jewelry is, after all, forever. There are beautiful diamonds of excellent quality in all diamond shapes and sizes, and a wide range of prices.

When you think diamonds, open your mind to earrings, brooches, bracelets and pendants. All make wonderful anniversary gift ideas . If you are looking at diamonds for an anniversary ring, the diamonds in a three stone diamond ring symbolize your past, present and future together. For a very signficant anniversary worthy of making a big spalsh, consider the new 5 stone diamond ring . A pair of 3 stone diamond earrings or diamond solitaire earrings will surely add sparkle to the woman who is the light of your life. But the diamonds don't necessarily have to be round. There are many diamond shapes - and combinations of diamond shapes - to consider. The most popular diamond shapes are:

Remember that you can buy a loose diamond and have it set in any number of ring settings the jeweler offers, or you can look into custom designed jewelry.

Of the diamonds shapes shown above, the most popular by far is the round diamond , which takes center stage in the classic engagement ring. Diamond shapes other than round are called fancy shapes. There are many different round brilliant diamond cuts from the Ideal cut - which has 58 facets --- to the patented, 66-facet Leo Diamond cut that boasts superior fire, sparkle, and brilliance as compared to other round brilliant diamonds of comparable color and clarity.

Choosing diamond shapes is a matter of personal taste

While a round diamond may appeal to a more traditional woman, a heart shape has greater appeal to the hopelessly romantic. But there are other considerations to take into account before making your final selection.

First, how will the shape of the diamond look on your hand? A woman with a small hand may prefer a round or princess shape diamond ; whereas, a woman with long, slender fingers can wear a marquise, pear or oval shape diamond without having it cover too much of her finger to look elegant. The setting - or mounting -- for a diamond also plays a role in how the diamond looks on a woman's hand. A heavier, more elaborate setting, for instance, would not appear graceful on a smaller hand. Certain settings also enhance the beauty of some diamond shapes better than others.

Second, how important is size ? Diamonds are measured in carat weight, but shape contributes to the appearance of size. A one-carat emerald cut diamond with a larger surface area (table), but less depth, may appear larger than a two-carat round diamond with a smaller table, but greater depth in the bottom portion of the stone (pavilion).

Finally, what shape catches the eye? If you're after a fancy shaped diamond that will attract a lot of attention, there are branded diamonds of particular brilliance and beauty. If you're looking for a fancy shaped diamond like a princess cut or emerald cut diamond, take a look at the stunning, perfectly proportioned Elexese Diamond.

Beautiful diamonds, like beautiful women, come in all shapes and sizes. It's truly a matter of personal taste which shape holds the greatest appeal.

See stunning anniversary jewelry.