Quick answer
The main diamond cuts are round brilliant, princess, emerald, oval, cushion, marquise, pear and heart. Round brilliant gives the strongest sparkle thanks to 58 facets, princess and emerald suit modern tastes, while pear, marquise and heart cuts are chosen for personality. At Silver Oak Jewellers in Nairobi, every diamond is set in 925 sterling silver and crafted in our in-house atelier.
The Sparkle That Defines Every Diamond
A diamond’s beauty is not only in its clarity or size, it’s in the way it captures and reflects light. This magic is created through its cut, a delicate art that determines how much brilliance, fire, and sparkle the diamond gives off.
Key takeaways
- Round brilliant cut has 58 facets and gives the strongest light return.
- Princess cut offers modern square geometry with strong corner-to-corner sparkle.
- Emerald cut shows clarity and depth through long, parallel step facets.
- Oval, pear and marquise cuts make the finger look longer and slimmer.
- Cushion cut suits vintage tastes; heart cut is chosen for sentiment.
- Silver Oak sets every diamond in 925 sterling silver crafted in-house in Nairobi.
At Silver Oak Jewellers,our master craftsmen and gem experts understand that every cut tells a story of precision, passion, and personality. Whether you’re selecting an engagement ring, a pendant, or a pair of timeless earrings, knowing the different types of diamond cuts will help you choose a piece that truly reflects who you are.
Round Brilliant Cut, The Icon of Timeless Beauty
The round brilliant cut is the most classic and popular diamond shape worldwide. Designed with 58 precisely angled facets, it maximizes light reflection for exceptional brilliance.
This is the diamond cut for the romantic traditionalist, someone who values elegance that never goes out of style. It’s perfect for engagement rings and solitaire pendants, offering a sparkle that symbolizes everlasting love.
At Silver Oak Jewellers, our round brilliant diamonds are hand-selected for symmetry and polish, ensuring each one delivers unmatched fire and scintillation.

Princess Cut, Modern and Bold
If the round cut is classic, the princess cutis its contemporary counterpart. With sharp, square edges and a stunning sparkle, this cut is both modern and daring.
Favored by trendsetters and confident personalities, the princess cut balances brilliance with a geometric edge. It pairs beautifully with white gold or platinum rings, creating a look that’s sleek yet timeless.

Emerald Cut, The Statement of Sophistication
The emerald cut stands out for its elongated rectangular shape and hall-of-mirrors effect. Unlike brilliant cuts that maximize sparkle, emerald cuts emphasize clarity and depth.
This style appeals to individuals who appreciate understated luxury, where refinement speaks louder than flashiness. The long, clean lines make it ideal for showcasing the natural purity of a diamond.
Silver Oak Jewellers Kenya offers emerald-cut diamonds that embody grace and confidence, perfect for those who want their jewellery to whisper elegance rather than shout.
Oval Cut, Graceful and Flattering
The oval diamond cut is a brilliant blend of the round cut’s sparkle and the marquise cut’s elongated shape. It creates the illusion of longer, slender fingers, one reason why it’s become a modern favorite.
An oval-cut diamond exudes grace and femininity, making it ideal for engagement rings or delicate pendants. It’s even brilliance and soft symmetry make it a symbol of harmony and balance traits that resonate with many of Silver Oak’s discerning clients.

Cushion Cut, Romantic Vintage Allure
Known as the “pillow cut”, the cushion-cut diamond combines a square or rectangular shape with soft, rounded corners. This vintage-inspired design dates back to the 19th century, offering a romantic glow rather than a sharp sparkle.
Cushion cuts are ideal for those drawn to old-world charm and timeless glamour. When set in yellow or rose gold, this cut creates a warm, romantic glow perfect for heirloom pieces or anniversary gifts.
Marquise Cut, Regal and Eye-Catching
With its elongated shape and pointed ends, the marquise cutcreates maximum surface area and a bold visual impression. Its origin traces back to 18th-century France, designed for royalty.
This cut is for those who love to stand out confident, stylish, and unafraid to make a statement. A marquise-cut diamond ring from Silver Oak Jewellers will command attention in every room.
Pear Cut, The Perfect Balance of Classic and Creative
Also called the teardrop diamond, the pear cut merges the brilliance of a round cut with the uniqueness of a marquise. It’s a symbol of individuality and elegance making it ideal for women who appreciate both tradition and creativity.
A pear-shaped diamond pendant or engagement ring reflects emotion, grace, and sophistication. Its one-of-a-kind silhouette ensures that no two pieces feel the same.
Heart Cut, The Ultimate Symbol of Love
Few designs capture emotion like the heart-shaped diamond.This romantic cut requires expert precision to achieve perfect symmetry, making it one of the most technically demanding cuts.
Perfect for anniversaries, Valentine’s gifts, or engagement rings, the heart cut is the ultimate expression of love. Each one crafted at Silver Oak Jewellers is a masterpiece of passion and artistry the kind of piece that becomes an heirloom for generations.
Choosing the Right Diamond Cut for You
When selecting a diamond, consider more than just the sparkle think about what it says about you. Do you value timeless elegance, modern sophistication, or vintage charm? The cut of your diamond should reflect your story, your personality, and your vision of beauty.
At Silver Oak Jewellers, we believe jewellery is more than an accessory it’s a reflection of life’s most meaningful moments. From engagement rings to signature collections, each diamond is ethically sourced and expertly crafted to ensure brilliance that lasts a lifetime.
Conclusion
Experience the Art of Diamond Perfection at Silver Oak. Whether you’re shopping for a symbol of love or a statement of style, Silver Oak Jewellers offers a curated selection of diamond rings, earrings, pendants, and braceletseach crafted to perfection.
Visit our store or explore our online collection at Silver Oak Jewellers to discover diamonds that capture your story cut to brilliance, designed for eternity.
Frequently asked questions
Which diamond cut sparkles the most?
The round brilliant cut sparkles the most. Its 58 precisely angled facets are engineered to bounce the maximum amount of light back to the eye, which is why round brilliants account for the majority of engagement rings worldwide. If raw sparkle is your priority over shape or personality, the round brilliant is the safest choice. At Silver Oak in Nairobi, we hand-pick round brilliants for symmetry, polish and proportion before they reach the showroom.
What is the difference between a diamond cut and a diamond shape?
Shape describes the outline of the stone, such as round, oval, pear or heart. Cut describes the quality of the faceting, the angles, the proportions and the polish that decide how much light the stone returns. Two diamonds can share the same shape but look very different because one is well cut and the other is not. When you visit Silver Oak, our gem consultants walk you through both, using a loupe at the counter.
Which diamond cut is best for an engagement ring in Kenya?
Round brilliant and oval cuts are the most popular engagement-ring choices among our Nairobi clients, followed by princess and cushion. Round brilliant suits classic tastes, oval flatters the finger and feels modern, princess pairs well with bezel and channel settings, and cushion gives a softer vintage feel. Visit our Imaara, Capital Centre, Diamond Plaza or The Nord stores to try each shape on before deciding.
Are emerald cut diamonds a good investment?
Emerald cuts hold value well because the long step facets demand a clean stone, so jewellers source higher clarity grades for this shape. You are essentially paying for purity instead of brilliance. They suit buyers who prefer understated elegance over flash. At Silver Oak, every emerald cut piece is invoiced with the gram weight, the 925 stamp on the setting and the diamond grading details, so the value is documented from day one.
How do I choose a diamond cut that suits my hand?
If your fingers are shorter or wider, elongated cuts like oval, pear and marquise visually lengthen the hand. If your fingers are long and slim, round brilliant, princess and cushion sit beautifully without overpowering. Larger hands carry bolder cuts like emerald and radiant; petite hands suit hearts and smaller rounds. Our consultants in Nairobi will sit with you, try multiple shapes on, and recommend the cut that flatters your hand and your daily style.
Does Silver Oak set diamonds in 925 sterling silver?
Yes. Silver Oak is Nairobi's premium silver house, and every diamond we set goes into 925 sterling silver crafted in our in-house atelier. Each piece carries the 925 stamp and the gram weight is recorded on your invoice. You can view our diamond rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets at Imaara, Capital Centre, Diamond Plaza, The Nord or online. Custom diamond settings in 925 sterling silver are also available on request.