Which Diamond Shape Sparkles the Most?

One of the most attractive aspects of a diamond is its sparkle. The way the gemstone reflects light, creating a disco ball-like display of brilliance is absolutely mesmerising. While it’s certainly true that all diamonds sparkle, did you know that some sparkle more than others?

The shape of the diamond plays a huge role in how much it sparkles. Generally, the more facets (sides) a diamond has, the more it sparkles. But this isn’t always the case. To help you make the right choice, here’s an overview of which diamond shapes sparkle the most.

Fire v sparkle

Before we dive into which diamond shape sparkles the most, you need to understand the difference between the fire and the sparkle of a diamond.

The fire of a diamond refers to the way white light scatters when it hits the facets, creating stunning rainbow-like colours. A diamond’s sparkle is the reflection of light that creates a dazzling, disco ball effect, giving the gem its classic twinkle.

The fire and sparkle work together to create the signature show that everyone looks for in a diamond.

Round-shaped diamond

The round-shaped diamond (also known as the brilliant diamond) has the best sparkle. It has 58 facets, which means that light can pass through it in an optimum way and reflect off the many sides, creating the perfect sparkle. If you’re looking for a gemstone with the most sparkle, choose a round-shaped diamond.

Princess-shaped diamond

A princess-shaped diamond typically has 50-58 facets, making it a strong competitor for which diamond sparkles the most. It may not create quite as spectacular a result as a round-shaped diamond, but it comes very close. If you want to avoid the traditional round-shaped diamond but still get a lot of sparkle, choose a princess-shaped diamond.

Cushion-shaped diamond

A cushion-shaped diamond is somewhere in between a round-shaped diamond and a princess-shaped diamond in terms of shape and sparkle. This shape produces an excellent fire with bright, striking colours. So while it may not be as sparkly as a round-shaped diamond, the effect is almost as impressive.

Emerald-shaped diamond

Emerald-shaped diamonds have a greater surface area than most other diamonds and are rectangular in shape. The step cuts and straight linear facets create a more subtle sparkle with delicate flashes of light, instead of the powerful sparkle offered by other shapes. An emerald-shaped diamond is a wonderful choice if you want something a little more nuanced than a round-shaped diamond.

Radiant-shaped diamond

A radiant-shaped diamond usually has 70 facets, giving it an excellent ability to reflect light and create an incredible sparkle. It was specifically designed to combine the very best aspects of the round-shaped diamond and emerald-shaped diamond. The sparkle isn’t as intense as you get from a round-shaped, but it reflects ample light and puts on a great show.

Oval-shaped diamond

Oval-shaped diamonds are oval in shape and have 56 facets, making them remarkably similar to round-shaped diamonds. The high number of facets means they have a fantastic brilliance and fire, while their shape means they often appear larger than round-shaped diamonds of the same carat weight.

Don’t forget the 4Cs

Shape is only one of the things that affects the way a diamond looks and sparkles. There are many more things to consider when shopping for diamond jewellery, too. If you’re feeling a little overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin, we’re here to help! Get in touch with us today and we’ll help you pick out the perfect diamond.