diamond_princess_cutDiamonds have always been a popular choice when it comes to adding a stunning centerpiece for a piece of jewelry. Whether it’s a ring for your wedding or a necklace for a birthday gift, it’s hard to deny the thrill of receiving diamonds. In fact, some companies such as Mervis Diamond have built their businesses around the success of the diamond. No matter where you get your diamonds, however, you’ll have to make the difficult choice of which diamond cut to get. Before you visit a jewelry store like Mervis, check out these popular diamond cuts.

Round

The round diamond is, by far, one of the most popular cuts on the market. Studies show that the round cut makes up nearly 75 percent of all diamonds sold. This cut is often considered superior to other fancier diamond shapes. Round diamonds reflect the light, which helps maximize its overall brightness. No matter what piece of jewelry you’re buying, you can’t go wrong with a round cut.

Princess

First created in 1980, the princess diamond cut has become a popular choice for engagement rings because of its fancy appearance. While not as commonplace as the round diamond, the princess cut is loved for its flexibility and ability to be worked into nearly any piece of jewelry. Although this cut doesn’t reflect light as well as a round cut, it’s still sure to catch someone’s eye.

Oval

Both the oval and round cuts are modified versions of a brilliant cut. The oval cut, while not as popular as its round cousin, has been gaining popularity since the 2000s. Due to its elongated shape, the oval diamond works better in some pieces of jewelry than others. It’s perfect for individuals who want a large diamond without having to wear a thick piece of jewelry or who want a diamond pendent.

Marquise

The marquise diamond cut, like the oval cut, has only recently become popular. While not completely oval, the marquise is best described as a diamond cut into the shape of a football. One reason why people love the marquise diamond cut is because the illusion that it plays with the light makes it look larger than reality. It’s great for someone who wants a large-looking diamond on a budget. Although this illusion works best from far away, it’s still beautiful to view up close.

Emerald

The emerald diamond cut, not to be confused with the green emerald birthstone, takes a different approach than the brilliant-cut round and oval stones to attract attention. It uses a step cut that creates a hall-of-mirrors-like effect. By playing off dark and light planes, it seems to be deep and beautiful. Unfortunately, since these diamonds aren’t really that deep, they are notorious for showing body color through them because of their large smooth surface.

While these are the most popular diamond cuts, they aren’t the only ones on the market. Some other popular cuts include heart, radiant and cushion. Every cut has benefits and features that make it unique. In the end, it’s not about choosing which cut is the most popular but which cut you or your significant other likes the best.