< Engagement Rings & Weddings / Guides
The Ultimate Guide to Elongated Diamond Cuts
Elongated diamond cuts flatter the finger, often appear larger than their carat weight, and offer endless design possibilities—here’s how to choose the right shape for your engagement ring.
Emerald Cut Diamond, Oval Cut Diamond, Marquise Cut Diamond (Only Natural Diamonds)
Consumers want engagement rings that feel personal, flattering, and visually impactful, which explains why elongated diamond cuts continue to dominate conversations around engagement rings. The term elongated diamond refers to any diamond shape that stretches lengthwise rather than forming a perfect square or circle. That includes classic shapes like the oval and marquise, as well as more niche designs like the moval. Today’s diamond-cutters can shape diamonds in nearly endless ways, which creates a broad family of elongated silhouettes. Yet several cuts consistently rise to the top.
Meet the Expert
- Grant Mobley is the Jewelry & Watch Editor of Only Natural Diamonds.
- He is a GIA Diamonds Graduate.
- He has over 17 years of jewelry industry experience, starting with growing up in his family’s retail jewelry stores.
People love elongated diamond cuts for two main reasons. First, elongated shapes often appear larger than other diamonds of the same carat weight because their length draws the eye along the finger. Second, elongated stones naturally flatter the hand, creating an elegant, lengthening effect. Whether someone wants a soft and romantic shape or a bold, architectural look, there is an elongated diamond cut to suit.
Below is a guide to the most popular elongated diamond cuts, what makes each one special, and why these shapes continue to define engagement rings.
Elongated Diamond Cuts: The Elongated Cushion Cut
The elongated cushion cut blends vintage romance with modern proportions. Traditional cushion cuts lean square, but the elongated version stretches the shape into a soft rectangle, creating a graceful profile. This shape offers the pillowy curves of a classic cushion with the finger-flattering proportions of an oval.
Elongated cushions stand out because they deliver a unique sparkle with its own character. Their facets glow in broader flashes rather than the tight brilliance seen in round cuts, giving the diamond a warm and expressive personality. Designers often favor elongated cushions for antique-inspired designs because the shape creates a luxurious look while maintaining a slightly vintage soul. For anyone who wants a diamond that feels both modern and timeless, the elongated cushion delivers an ideal balance.
Gabriel & Co Lou Ring, from $1,325, gabrielny.com
1st Dibs Elongated Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Ring, $248,000, 1stdibs.com
London Jewelers Pave Spiral Engagement Ring, $5,810, londonjewelers.com
Long’s Jeweler’s Cushion Cut Engagement Ring, $7,015, longsjewelers.com
Henri Daussi Floral Marquise Engagement Ring, price upon request, henridaussi.com
Greenwich St. Jewelers Baxter Hidden Halo Cushion Cut Engagement Ring, $32,600 greenwichjewelers.com
Ashley Zhang Collet Cushion Cut Diamond Engagement Ring, $11,150, ashleyzhangjewelry.com
Brent Neale One-of-a-Kind Ring with Cushion Cut Diamond, price upon request, brentneale.com
Elongated Diamond Cuts: The Marquise Cut
With its iconic pointed ends and slender silhouette, the marquise cut is one of the most dramatic elongated shapes ever created. Legend says King Louis XV commissioned the shape to mirror the lips of his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour, and the design has carried that sense of romance ever since.
The marquise cut creates one of the strongest optical illusions in diamonds. Its elongated outline makes it look significantly larger than other shapes of similar carat weight, and its sharp points draw the eye from end to end. This shape flatters the finger beautifully and offers a bold, fashion-forward look that stands out in a crowd. For someone who wants dramatic elegance and unmistakable style, a marquise-cut diamond makes a confident statement.
Vintage Bulgari Midcentury Marquise Engagement Ring, $67,500, erstwhilejewelry.com
KatKim Marquise Crescendo Ring, from $4,000, katkimfinejewelry.com
R.F. Moeller Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring Mounting, from $2,625, rfmoeller.com
Greenwich St. Jewelers Marquise-Cut Diamond Engagement Ring, $93,000, greenwichjewelers.com
London Collection Platinum and 18K Marquise Diamond Ring, $30,450, londonjewelers.com
Walters & Hogsett Marquise Diamond Ring, $7,650, waltersandhogsett.com
Ashley Zhang 1.67 Marquise Diamond Gypsy Ring, $18,550, ashleyzhangjewelry.com
Single Stone Camille 3 Marquise Ring, $13,000, singlestone.com
De Beers Aura Marquise-Shaped Diamond Ring, price upon request, debeers.com
Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Marquise Band Ring, $3,300, tiffany.com
Elongated Diamond Cuts: The Oval Cut
The oval diamond remains one of the most requested elongated shapes for engagement rings today. The appeal comes from its clean curves and its ability to balance brilliance with a soft, flowing silhouette. An oval cut diamond often appears larger than its carat weight suggests, thanks to its length and surface area. Brides gravitate toward this shape because it feels classic yet modern, elegant yet approachable.
Ovals offer a similar sparkle profile to round brilliant diamonds but with more individuality. Each oval can vary in width, length, and curvature, which gives the shape a degree of personalization not found in more standardized cuts. Whether set in a minimalist solitaire or a detailed vintage-inspired setting, oval diamonds create an effortlessly flattering and graceful look.
L.B. Green Oval Diamond Engagement Ring, price upon request, lbgreen.com
Greenwich St. Jewelers Baxter Solitaire Oval Diamond Engagement Ring, $4,900, greenwichjewelers.com
Gabriel & Co. Larissa Horizontal Oval Solitaire Engagement Ring, from $1,300, londonjewelers.com
KatKim Oval Diamond Trace Ring, from $7,900, katkimfinejewelry.com
Brent Neale One-of-a-Kind BNS Ring with Oval Diamond and Pear Sides, price upon request, brentneale.com
Ashley Zhang Antique-Style Oval Iris Engagement Ring, $14,450, ashleyzhangjewelry.com
Jade Trau Scarlett Oval Solitaire Ring, from $6,950, waltersandhogsett.com
Hamilton Jewelers Private Reserve Three-Stone Diamond Engagement Ring, $142,750, hamiltonjewelers.com
Jessica McCormack Oval Wave Diamond Ring, $50,315, jessicamccormack.com
Tiffany & Co. Tiffany Soleste Oval Halo Engagement Ring with a Diamond Platinum Band, price upon request, tiffany.com
Elongated Diamond Cuts: The Moval Cut
The moval cut combines the best attributes of the marquise and the oval. The shape stretches into a gentle, rounded point at each end, with an outline like the marquise. This creates a silhouette that feels sculptural and romantic without the sharp tips found in traditional marquise cuts.
Moval diamonds often appeal to collectors and couples who want an unusual but wearable elongated shape. The cut tends to emphasize length while maintaining a soft, luminous presence that reads beautifully on the finger. Because the moval is less common than other elongated cuts, it naturally stands out as a choice for buyers who want something very distinct. Its hybrid design also lends itself well to both modern and vintage-inspired settings, making it one of the most versatile elongated shapes.
Mociun Equalize Ring, $10,950, mociun.com
Moyer Rahaminov 4 Carat Bezel Set Ring, Price On Request, moyerfinejewelers.com
Ashley Zhang 3.67 Carat French Moval Ring, Price On Request, ashleyzhangjewelry.com
Polacheck’s East/West Diamond Bracelet, $42,000, polacheks.com
Levy’s 4.24 Carat Antique Moval Engagement Ring, Price On Request, levysfinejewelry.com
Hancocks London 2.21 carat Golconda Moval Diamond Ring, Price Upon Request, hancockslondon.com
Simon Teakle Diamond Ring, $24,000, simonteakle.com
Artemer Solitaire Ring, $10,500, artemerstudio.com
Beladora Diamond Ring in Platinum, $67,500, beladora.com.
Elongated Diamond Cuts: The Emerald Cut
The emerald cut stands apart in the world of elongated diamonds because it showcases clarity and structure rather than sparkle. Its step-cut facets form a hall-of-mirrors effect inside the stone, creating long flashes of light instead of the brilliant sparkle found in cuts like the oval or cushion. This architectural look feels refined and elegant.
Because emerald cuts reveal so much of the diamond’s interior, buyers often seek stones with high clarity and excellent symmetry. The elongated shape creates a sleek, lengthening effect on the finger, and the broad, linear facets give engagement rings a confident presence. Emerald cuts pair beautifully with solitaire settings, three-stone designs, and Art Deco–inspired styles. For someone who loves clean lines and old-world glamour, the elongated emerald cut offers unmatched visual drama.
Kwiat Engagement Ring with an Emerald Cut Diamond and Channel Set Band in Platinum, price upon request, kwiat.com
Razny Emerald Cut in the Modern Pavé with Hidden Halo, $55,650, razny.com
Ashley Zhang Antique Emerald Cut Diamond Rooney Engagement Ring, price upon request, ashleyzhangjewelry.com
Eva Fehren The Emerald Muse with Emerald Cut Fancy Diamonds, $9,250, evafehren.com
Material Good Emerald Cut Solitaire Engagement Ring, price upon request, materialgood.com
Single Stone Rae Engagement Ring, $23,300, greenwichjewelers.com
Tiffany & Co. Soleste Emerald Cut Halo Engagement Ring with a Diamond Platinum Band, price upon request, tiffany.com
Jennifer Dawes Balance Champagne Diamond Ring, $6,850, waltersandhogsett.com
Brent Neale Flush Mount Ring with Single Emerald Cut Diamond, price upon request, brentneale.com
London Collection 18K Emerald and Tapered Diamond Engagement Ring, $57,800, londonjewelers.com
Elongated Diamond Cuts: The Radiant Cut
For those who want an elongated shape with extra fire, the radiant cut delivers. It blends the outline of an emerald cut with the faceting style of a brilliant cut, creating a rectangular silhouette that sparkles intensely from every angle. Radiant cuts eliminate the step-cut look of emeralds and instead emphasize shimmer.
Designers love radiant cuts for modern engagement rings because the shape accommodates a wide range of styles. Radiants work beautifully in solitaires, halo settings, and more intricate metalwork. For buyers who want a head-turning, elongated stone with maximum brilliance, the radiant cut stands at the top of the list.
Kwiat East-West Radiant Cut Diamond Engagement Ring, price upon request, kwiat.com
Material Good Radiant Cut Solitaire Engagement Ring, $90,300, materialgood.com
Fancy Pink Diamond Achieved $1.2 Million at Bonhams New York Jewels Sale, bonhams.com
Brent Neale One-of-a-Kind BNS Ring with Radiant Diamond and Diamond Trapezoid Sides, Explore Custom, brentneale.com
KatKim Radiant Diamond Peak Ring, Price Upon Request, katkimfinejewelry.com
Stephanie Gottlieb 4.01CT Radiant Cut With Epaulette Side Stones Engagement Ring, $120,000, stephaniegottlieb.comhead
Choosing the Right Elongated Diamond Cut
Elongated diamond cuts offer more diversity than more calibrated shapes. Whether someone wants a shape with soft curves, sharp lines, vintage character, or bold sparkle, elongated diamonds cover every aesthetic. Because these stones often look larger than their carat weight and flatter the finger beautifully, they remain one of the most practical and visually appealing choices for engagement rings.
