10 Bold and Bodacious Pear-Shaped Engagement Rings
Although the pear shaped diamond dates back to the 15th century, it is still as stylish as ever today. Lodewyk van Berquem, a Flemish diamond cutter, invented this fancy-shaped diamond in 1475, and it’s changed little since. It still has 58 facets and its signature teardrop shape. But, designers play with proportions, settings, and designs to create both modern and traditional pear shaped diamond engagement rings.
Meet the Expert
- Kristen Shirley is a New York-based luxury expert, writer, editor, and stylist who specializes in travel, fashion, fine watches, jewelry, wine and spirits.
- She is the founder of La Patiala, the luxury encyclopedia
- Her work has appeared in Bloomberg Businessweek, Departures, Business Insider, Robb Report, and Editorialist, among others
Pear shaped diamonds have long been a favorite for engagement rings, gracing the hands of icons like Elizabeth Taylor, Victoria Beckham, Paris Hilton, Sophie Turner, and Cardi B. Their elongated silhouette offers a distinctive look and often appears larger than a round brilliant diamond of comparable carat weight, making them especially appealing to modern brides.
What is a Pear Shaped Diamond
All pear shaped diamonds have a rounded head, arched sides, and a tapered point. However, this fancy-shaped diamond can vary in proportions. Some are thinner and longer, while others are wider and shorter. This is known as the length-to-width ratio. The classic ratio is 1.50-1.75 to 1, but today many brides select different proportions based on their fingers and their personal preferences.
Tips for Buying a Pear Shaped Diamond
No matter your proportion preferences, be sure your pear shaped diamond is perfectly symmetrical. This means the sides of the diamond should be equal on both sides, and both the table on the top of the stone and the culet on the bottom are centered. Another thing to look out for is that pear-shaped diamonds can sometimes have a bow-tie effect. True to its name, the bow-tie effect is a dark section in the middle of the diamond that is shaped like a bow tie. Well-cut stones can avoid this dark marking.
When evaluating a pear shaped diamond using the 4Cs, it’s important to understand how this shape interacts with color. Pear shaped diamonds show more color than a round brilliant diamond. What does this mean? Pears tend to look whiter if they are colorless (D-F) or near-colorless (G-H) on the color scale. They’re also a great candidate for fancy-colored diamonds and can achieve a very saturated color.
How to Wear a Pear Shaped Diamond
Today, you can wear your pear-shaped diamond any way you like. The tip can face toward you or away from you, and designers might even set a stone on a diagonal or in an East-West setting. The traditional way was to wear it with the tip pointing away from you, but do what feels best for you.
Shop Pear Shaped Diamond Rings
Here, we’ve rounded up 10 stunning pear shaped engagement rings from some of our favorite designers to suit every style.
Milamore
Milamore’s engagement rings are as unique as each bride, and it is quickly becoming the go-to brand for New York’s downtown set. The Duo Heart Diamond Ring features two pear-shaped diamonds, one white and one yellow, set in the shape of a heart. It’s the most romantic way to craft a Toi et Moi ring. The yellow gold band is a sleek knife edge, giving this sentimental two-stone some contemporary edge (literally).
Jemma Wynne
Jemma Wynne adds a modern twist to this classic diamond shape by setting the pear-shaped diamond on the diagonal in this bespoke Yasmin ring. This unique way of placing the diamond makes it feel contemporary and fresh, while a traditional 18K yellow gold bezel setting adds a little bit of a retro feel.
Rahaminov Diamonds
Pear-shaped diamonds are even more gorgeous in a fancy color. Rahaminov Diamonds is known for its exceptional diamonds, and this ring is a perfect example. It features a 2.01-carat fancy brown-pink pear-shaped diamond surrounded by a halo of fancy pink diamonds, and there are more on the band for a total of 1.21 carats. It’s set in rose gold to highlight the pink hue of the diamonds.
Graff
This show-stopping Promise ring from Graff highlights the singular beauty of pear-shaped diamonds. It features a variety of carat weights set in a traditional three-prong setting. The gorgeous natural diamond center stone is flanked by two side stones and set in 18K white gold.
Reza
Reza is known for its stunning natural diamonds and unique, modern settings, so it’s no surprise that the maison’s engagement rings are anything but traditional. The A ring places a 2.15-carat pear-shaped diamond in a sculptural, asymmetrical setting. The 18K white gold ring snakes around the finger, curling around the diamond at the top and bottom, keeping the sides free from metal to capture more light.
Kwiat
If you love an east-west setting, this fabulous ring from Kwiat is for you. It features a pear shaped diamond set horizontally in a sleek east-west bezel, offering a modern twist on a classic silhouette. Crafted in radiant 18k yellow gold, the design highlights the diamond’s brilliance while ensuring a secure, streamlined fit. Part of the Kwiat Setting collection, it’s designed to sit low on the finger and pair seamlessly with a wedding band.
Wempe
This sweet ring from Wempe features a central pear-cut diamond weighing .80 carats. To make the diamond appear larger, the One Halo ring is set with 93 brilliant-cut diamonds on the halo and the band. It sparkles from every angle.
Natasha Schweitzer
A playful way to set pear-shaped diamonds is to have them “float” above the band. Australian jewelry brand Natasha Schweitzer created the contemporary and chic Harley engagement ring by hovering a 1-carat pear shaped diamond above a micro-pavé band. Each ring is bespoke.
Jenna Blake
Non-traditional brides will love this 18K yellow gold ring from Jenna Blake. It features a 2-carat pear shaped natural diamond in the center of a thick gold ring. The inset design makes the diamond a little more subtle, but it still has plenty of sparkle.
Dana Rebecca Designs
This charming ring from Dana Rebecca Designs is simple, but anything but boring. A pavé yellow gold band adds extra sparkle to a centrally mounted 2.01-carat pear-shaped natural diamond. The combination of the 14K yellow gold band with the glittering white diamond is beautiful.
