Buying Guides
How to Choose a Loose Stone Shape for Your Setting
If you are buying a stone before choosing a setting, the shape you pick constrains everything that follows.
Start with the setting you want
A four-prong solitaire suits round, oval, cushion and radiant. A bezel works with anything but adds visual weight, so a smaller stone can look larger. A three-stone setting usually wants a centre that is roughly twice the width of the sides.
Match shape to hand
- Short fingers: oval, pear, marquise — all elongate
- Long fingers: round, cushion, princess — balanced and not elongated
- Wide bands: round or square shapes hold their visual weight better
Consider carat efficiency
Shapes that waste less rough cost less per carat. Oval, emerald and pear typically give the best face-up size for the money; round costs the most per carat but delivers the most brilliance.
Order a stone first if you are undecided
Loose stones let you hold the actual size against your hand before committing to a setting. A 0.5ct and a 1ct stone look far more different in person than on a chart.
Written By
Holycome Team
Gemologists and setters at our own workshop. We have been cutting moissanite and lab grown stones since 2013.
