Engagement Ring Shapes: A Guide to All Nine Moissanite Shapes
The shape of the center stone sets the character of an engagement ring before anything else: the setting, the band and the metal all follow from it. Below are the nine shapes we cut in moissanite, what each one looks like on the hand, and who tends to love it.
Every shape here is available in 925 sterling silver with 18K white, yellow or rose gold plating, and every Carissie moissanite comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Brilliant cuts and step cuts
Most shapes are brilliant cuts. Their facets radiate out from the center like the spokes of a wheel, which breaks light into many small, lively sparkles. Round, oval, pear, cushion, princess, marquise, radiant and heart stones are all brilliant cuts.
The emerald cut is a step cut. Its facets are long, flat and parallel, like steps on a staircase, so it shows fewer, broader flashes across a clear, open surface. Moissanite has a dispersion of 0.104, more than twice that of diamond at 0.044, so both styles show plenty of rainbow fire. Read more in Why Moissanite.
Round
The round brilliant is the classic engagement ring shape and the one cut for the most sparkle. It suits every setting, from a plain solitaire to a halo or three stone ring, and it is the easiest shape to match with wedding bands. If you are buying a ring as a surprise, round is the safest choice.
Oval
An oval keeps the sparkle of a round brilliant in a longer outline. It shows more top surface than a round stone of similar weight and draws the eye along the finger, which makes the hand look longer and slimmer. Turned sideways in an east-west setting, it reads modern and understated.
Emerald cut
The emerald cut is a rectangle with cut corners and long step facets. It trades scattered sparkle for calm, mirror-like flashes, and its clean lines give it a tailored, Art Deco feel. It is a favorite for people who like architecture, vintage style or simply a ring that looks different from the crowd.
Shop emerald cut moissanite rings
Pear
A pear, or teardrop, is round at one end and pointed at the other. Most people wear it with the point toward the fingertip, which lengthens the finger. It feels romantic and a little unexpected, and it pairs beautifully with a curved or open band that follows its outline.
Cushion cut
A cushion is a square or slightly rectangular stone with rounded corners, named for its pillow shape. It is one of the oldest shapes still in use, so it carries a soft, vintage character. It looks especially full inside a halo, which repeats its rounded outline.
Shop cushion cut moissanite rings
Princess cut
The princess cut is a square brilliant with sharp corners. It sparkles almost as brightly as a round stone but has a crisp, geometric outline that feels modern. Princess stones also line up neatly side by side, so they make clean, even eternity bands.
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Marquise
A marquise is long and narrow with a point at each end. It has the most length of any classic shape for its weight, so it looks large on the hand and slims the finger. Set upright it is dramatic and vintage. Turned east-west it is quietly modern.
Shop marquise moissanite rings
Radiant cut
The radiant cut shares the cut-corner rectangle of the emerald cut but is faceted like a brilliant. The result is the clean outline of a rectangle with lively, scattered sparkle. If you love the emerald cut's shape but want more glitter, start here.
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Heart
A heart shaped stone is a brilliant cut with a cleft at the top and a point at the bottom. It is the most openly romantic shape, chosen for engagement rings as well as promise and anniversary rings.
How to choose
- Start with what they already wear. Someone with classic taste usually loves a round or oval. Someone who wears vintage pieces often reaches for a cushion, emerald or marquise.
- Think about the hand. Long shapes such as oval, pear, marquise and elongated emerald cuts make fingers look longer.
- Consider daily life. Pointed shapes such as pear, marquise, princess and heart can chip at the tips from a hard knock, even though moissanite scores 9.25 on the Mohs scale. Anyone who works with their hands may prefer a round, oval, cushion or radiant.
- Plan for the band. Round and oval stones sit easily beside a straight band. Pear and marquise stones often look best with a curved or open band, or as part of a bridal set.
Still deciding? Browse all moissanite engagement rings, or read our guide to engagement ring settings.
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