The first step is to choose a stone. The stone is what costs the most—usually around 90 percent of the total engagement ring cost—and it is really what the entire ring is showcasing. But the second step of deciding on an engagement ring can either make or break the entire look of the ring. This step is choosing a setting. A setting is really what puts the stone in the best light and defines the entire look of the ring. There is no sure-fire setting. They all have their advantages and disadvantages. It really depends on the bride-to-be and her taste and style. Celebrities are often a great tool for comparison. Here is a list of some of the most popular settings and the celebrities that wear them.
1. Radiant
Pros:
- Displays high level of fire and brilliance
- Trimmed and truncated corners reduce the risk of chipping and breaking
- Versatile cut that looks good in different styles
- Forgiving cut that reduces the appearance of color tints, blemishes, and inclusions
- Wide range of price options
Cons:
- Deeper cut reduces the appearance, making the stone look smaller
- Low availability
The celebrities who have worn a radiant-cut engagement ring include Drew Barrymore, Khloe Kardashian, and Jennifer Anniston.
2. Asscher
Pros:
- Very unique
- High quality stones will look even better in this cut
- High level of flash
- Works with a variety of different stones
- No delicate edges are exposed to possible damage
Cons:
- High quality stone is needed for this cut to look good
- Defects in clarity and color are highlighted
- Complicated cut requiring precision and expertise
- Higher cost
- Bottom-heavy weight makes the stone appear smaller rather than larger
Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Alba are among the Hollywood starlets who have shown off Asscher-cut engagement rings.
3. Pear
Pros:
- Very high degree of fire and brilliance
- Looks good in various styles and stones
- Can look different depending on if the wearer points the stone out or in
Cons:
- Slight tints of color can easily be seen in this cut
- Bow-tie effect can be a major problem
- Tend to be more expensive because higher quality is necessary
A pear-cut engagement ring has been worn by some of Hollywood’s finest, including Elisha Cuthbert, Victoria Beckham, and Katherine Heigl.
4. Marquis
Pros:
- Flatters hands of all sizes and shapes
- Smaller diamonds look larger due to the weight of this cut being top-heavy
- High amount of brilliance and fire
- Excellent at hiding minor inclusions and other blemishes
Cons:
- Higher likelihood of getting the bow-tie or shadow effect with this cut
Christina Milian, Ashlee Simpson, and Portia de Rossi are just a few of the big stars who are fans of the marquis-cut engagement ring.
5. Princess
Pros:
- Very forgiving cut allowing small blemishes to go unseen
- Wide range of price options for every budget
- Looks good in every size, style and stone
Cons:
- Extremely delicate corners are prone to chipping
- High quality princess-cuts can be difficult to find
The princess-cut is a favorite of many ladies on the big and small screen, including Snooki, Hilary Duff, and Kate Bosworth.
6. Heart
Pros:
- Unique style
- Looks good in every size
- Easy to find cut in any price range
- Value of the ring increases over time
Cons:
- Not widely available
- Easily catches on clothing and hair, especially if not set right
- Difficult to find in large carat sizes
- Difficult to find a good quality in this cut
- Magnifies flaws and blemishes
- Difficult to find a stone in this cut without shadows or the bow-tie effect
Both Nicki Minaj and Lady Gaga have flaunted heart-cut diamond rings from their leading men.
7. Cushion
Pros:
- Rounded edges are not prone to catching on objects
- Edges decrease chipping potential
- Widely available
- Disperses light to create kaleidoscope effect
Cons:
- Less brilliance and shine than other stone cuts
- Large facets highlight blemishes, inclusions, and tints of color
The cushion-cut sparkler has recently been growing in popularity with Hollywood wives and brides-to-be, including Sofia Vergara, Bar Refaeli, and Kim Kardashian.
8. Emerald
Pros:
- A very versatile cut because it can be used with a variety of stones
- Tapered edges provide security against chipping
- Looks especially flattering on long, slender fingers
- Lower cost
- Can be used on extremely large carat sizes
- The shallow cut depth makes the stone look larger
Cons:
- To create the facets, the cut sacrifices some of the stone’s brilliance
- Will not sparkle and shine as much as other cuts
- The slightest imperfections will be highlighted
- Not complimentary on short, petite, or plump hands
While the emerald-cut has long been a favorite of women inside and outside of Hollywood, it doesn’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Amal Alamuddin, Mariah Carey, and Beyoncé have all toted this type of engagement ring.
9. Oval
Pros:
- Preserves original characteristics of an oval diamond
- Stable shape with little damage vulnerability
- Lower cost than most other cuts
- Allows for enhanced shine and sparkle in even the smaller carat sizes
Cons:
- Bad cutting can easily cause noticeable shadows
- Highlights blemishes, tints of color, and inclusions
The oval-cut engagement ring is proving to be a popular choice for some of the biggest celebrities, including Kate Middleton, Julianne Hough, and Blake Lively.
10. Round
Pros:
- One of the most versatile styles
- Easily available in different carat sizes and in multiples
- Due to high availability, price is low
- Stable shape with little damage vulnerability
- Lack of sharp edges keep it from getting tangled or caught
- Hides small flaws like blemishes, inclusions, and color tints
Cons:
- Pricier than some cuts, such as oval
- Major flaws will be visible
The straight-forward simplicity of the round-cut engagement ring has been seen on the hands of celebrities like Mila Kunis, Miley Cyrus, and Alison Brie.