Flashmobs have been gaining popularity over the past few years and some of the best marriage proposals we’ve ever seen use this surprise performance as a way to pop the big question.

It’s a pleasant surprise when the unsuspecting girlfriend stumbles across what she thinks is a flashmob dance appearance and then as she begins to realize that the entire thing has been orchestrated just for her, well, she’s usually in tears by the time the man gets down to ask the question.

Here are some of the best flashmob proposals ever recorded, in no particular order.

A Surprise Live Lip-Dub Proposal You Can’t Stop Watching

We said this list is in no particular order…but this one is our favorite. And it’s not even a typical flashmob proposal – it’s all done with the help of some very well-coordinated friends and family.

The man enlists over 60 of his friends and family to orchestrate a fun, casual, but very intimate lip-dub for his marriage proposal. His girlfriend is invited out by his brother – who asks her to sit in the back of the car, put on headphones and listen to a song. The car begins to drive slowly and people begin to appear, dancing and following the car.

This is such a sweet proposal for all the effort that went into making it – both by the groom-to-be and all the family and friends who love the couple. You can tell everyone in the group is so happy for the couple, which makes this a better proposal than any professional dance team could.

Who Can Say “No” to a Breakdancing Flashmob?

A simple flashmob proposal during a day strolling and shopping around New York City – it’s the last thing she expected.

Love this proposal for the awesome dancers and the song selection.

Friends + a Fake Reporter = Surprise Proposal

This guy really planned. Well.

His unsuspecting girlfriend is on a walk with 2 of her friends when they bump into a reporter for “RoyaleTV” who casually asks them some questions and then asks the unsuspecting girlfriend to “stand over here” and rate the performance – at which point a troupe of dancers begin to dance.

The overall dance routine is a bit long, but the girlfriend has absolutely NO CLUE what is happening until the dancers form a big circle and her boyfriend comes rapping into the center.

The look of surprise on her face is priceless and she spends the rest of the time being rapped to trying to shyly hide her face behind the clipboard she’s given to rate the performance.

Very cute, really memorable marriage proposal. Love the special rapping touch added to the typical flashmob proposal.

A LSU College Student’s Surprise Flashmob Proposal

Absolutely love all the planning done by this guy to create the perfect proposal for his girlfriend. Instead of hiring a professional flashmob team, he has the ingenious idea to simply recruit a troupe of Freshmen for his proposal.

He trains them. He plans. He proposes.

The proposal is planned right in front of LSU’s spacious Memorial Tower and set so that his girlfriend just believes they’re taking a walk. Suddenly, a mass of people in matching school colors come marching in and surround the couple – they all freeze – and her boyfriend walks around lip syncing their favorite song.

Absolutely love the exciting vibe of the people who came together to make this happen, and that this was all done by regular folk – college freshies, at that :). Especially love how the boyfriend went through all the coordinating details himself. A for effort and execution!

Casual Fun Flashmob Beachside Proposal

This is the cutest proposal.

First of all – it’s on the beach. Second of all – it’s a complete surprise. But what we really love is how it’s the couple’s friends who perform the flashdance. The girlfriend is super excited pointing out members of the dancing group and exclaiming how she knows them. Really cute.

Also, the song selection is the perfect match for the whole scene – Colbie Caillat’s <em>I Do. </em>

Love the fun, casual vibe of the whole thing – and the scenery, of course, helps 🙂

A Proposal at 30,000 Feet Above Ground

This is a cute, creative flashmob proposal video. The song – Bruno Mars Marry You – is a much-done, popular pick but what makes this particular proposal stand out is the fact it’s all done 30,000 feet in the air.

Much props to this team of flashmob dancers who managed to maneuver – in style – in the much-too-narrow aisles of the plane.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhGsRF7X5NE

A very unique rendition of a much-done idea. Love it.

Super Sweet Flashmob Proposal

A man takes his girlfriend and his family to the St. Louis zoo. As they’re standing around, Madonna’s <em>Crazy for You</em> starts blasting and the group of people gathered there suddenly burst into dance.

The woman has an idea of what’s happening and the sweetest thing about this video is how they’re both watching the dancers and wiping tears from their eyes.

It’s a sweet proposal, but the best part is that you know they’re totally in love…and that it’s already a YES.

A Vibrant Flashmob Proposal with a Personal Touch

Flashmob proposals are exciting and fun, but the best marriage proposals are the ones that cater to you and your wife-to-be’s unique style and taste. Like the one below.

This wedding proposal is not the typical flashmob proposal. There is a mob of dancers, but the guy takes it to the next level with his lip syncing, the dancing, the matching T-shirts, and little extras like the unicyclist and the text banners.

A great use of a flashmob to orchestrate an entire performance, totally customized to suit him and his wife-to-be’s unique style and sense of humor.

Romantic Times Square Surprise Flashmob Proposal

This marriage proposal gets major props for being so well-planned.

He takes his girlfriend to New York City and as they’re walking through Times Square, they receive a “random” flyer for a performance happening. The girlfriend is pretty much oblivious to everything, which makes it even better. They, of course, go and the boyfriend suddenly starts dancing – break dancing! This is a fantastic marriage proposal – you can tell the guy went through a lot of effort to coordinate and practice the dance moves. He’s soon joined by a whole troupe of dancers – including a little boy – and the show continues.

This flash mob proposal sticks out – he has someone in the audience hand his girlfriend a ear piece during the dance so he can tell her exactly how much she means to him and the dance performance ends with the dancers holding up placards that spell out “Will You Marry Me?”

Very cute.

A Man Surprises His Girlfriend by Jumping Into a Flashmob Dance Routine

Love the absolute surprise factor in this video. The boyfriend sets it up perfectly – just a flashmob happening when his girlfriend and her friends are walking down the street.

The unsuspecting girlfriend is standing back, smiling and enjoying the show…until her boyfriend suddenly jumps in to dance in perfect unison with the flashmob dancers. He’s a great dancer – but what’s even greater is the look on the girlfriend’s face. Her hand flies to her mouth in surprise and stays there pretty much the entire time in utter surprise, only moving away for a moment to reveal a huge smile as she nods “Yes”.

Who’s gonna say no to that?

Beautiful Surprise Flashmob Proposal in Central Park

Love how well this guy planned the whole thing.

His girlfriend is brought out to Central Park – where they first met – by a few of her girlfriends under the pretense of spending a day in the park. She’s perching on the fountain for a picture when a guy starts playing guitar. She looks over in surprise and the guitar player is soon joined by a violinist and several pairs of dancing couples.

The girlfriend is casually watching when the boyfriend swoops in and asks her to dance.

They start dancing and then the boyfriend gets down on one knee…and we all know how the story ends 🙂

Dancers AND a Marching Band?

A dancing troupe. A surprise gathering of family and friends. And a marching band.

They were just supposed to meet for lunch.

This flashmob proposal is one of the most elaborate, best-planned ones out there.

The marriage proposal is one of the most memorable events in a woman’s life. Maybe you’ve already planned an unforgettable proposal but you want to make sure it’s going to be surprise so you can really knock her off her feet.

But how are you going to find out her ring size without her knowing that you’re planning to propose?

Lucky for you – there are a few ways of going about it. Here are some tips to find out her ring size without giving your plans away.

The Smartest Solution: Measure Her

The easiest and most exact way to find out her ring size is to simply measure it with an actual ring sizer while she’s sleeping. Blue Nile offers FREE ring sizers, as well as a printable ring size guide. If you don’t mind waiting around for a week or so for the sizer to come, both the ring sizer and the shipping is totally free. If you just can’t wait, you can pay $ to get it within 2 days via FedEx.

– http://www.bluenile.com/find-ring-size

Make Like a Magpie

The magpie is infamous for its love of all things shiny – and its ability to seek them out. Emulate the klepto creature and get your hands on a ring(s) that she wears. Bonus awesomeness if she wears it on her fourth finger.

If you’re starved for time, just slip her ring on your own finger and mark where it stops. Take your finger to the jeweler.

If you have a few minutes and want something more exact, place the ring on a piece of paper and trace the inside and outside diameter. Take the paper to the jeweler.

Enlist Accomplices

Another brilliant tactic is to ask her family and friends for help. They’ll probably be thrilled for you guys (granted they like you) and willing to do their part to make sure things go perfect.

An accomplice could pretend they need to go get a ring re-sized and ask your girlfriend to come along, finding out her ring size measurements “just for fun” at a jewelry store. Or maybe the next time your wife-to-be is at her mom, sister, or friend’s house, the accomplice could bring up how they have a ring that doesn’t quite fit anymore (weight gain, not their style, etc). and ask her to try it on.

However you decide to go about it, it’ll be easier with inside help.

Stick With Averages

If all else fails, take comfort in the fact that the most common ring size is between a 5 or a 7 (US size) or an M or N (UK size) and size 6 is the most popular size. .

Another handy little trick is to pick up one of her shoes and check its size. Most women have the same ring size as their shoe size.

Marriage proposals are a big show now. A lot of men try to re-invent the wheel with an over-the-top, brand spankin’ new most creative marriage proposal idea that will set off a new trend in future proposals.

So, why not be unique and go the other route with a classic proposal – an oldie but a goodie – that is simple, romantic, and has worked since the beginning of marriage proposal history. It may surprise you, but most women actually prefer something classic, traditional, and timeless. You just can’t go wrong with that.

Here are the top 9 classic marriage proposal ideas:

Ring in the dessert

Ah, just like the movies. Take her for a night out at her favorite restaurant and when the waiter brings out her favorite dessert, just try to make sure she doesn’t end up swallowing the ring that’s hidden in it.

Incorporate family and friends

Being serenaded by a flashmob of strangers is fun, but nothing beats the company and support of loved ones in such a meaningful moment. Arrange a get-together and invite all her family and friends to a local restaurant or your home and then when everyone’s gathered and having a great time, get down on one knee and do your thing!

Weekend getaway

Weekend getaways are simple and fun. There’s no need for a lot of advance planning but still plenty of excitement at the prospect of leaving it all behind for a few days. Arrange a fun weekend getaway for just the two of you and at the end of the trip – find a scenic spot to pull over in and “take pictures.”

Pop the question once you’re standing face-to-face in a gorgeous location.

At-home proposal

Transform her house into a beautiful love den. Surprise her by lining a path from the door to her bed with tiny candles, sprinkle rose petals all over her bed (make sure her sheets aren’t white), and have music playing softly in the background. Once she makes her way over, get down on one knee and propose.

Public proposal

Take her to a favorite venue or a restaurant with a live band. Bonus points if you can arrange to have a live band play at your favorite restaurant. Have the live band play her favorite songs while you order and settle in. Once your bottle of wine arrives, have the band launch into a song that’s meaningful for the both of you.

Either ask her to dance or have the band ask the restaurant guests to dance. At some point, have the band’s lead singer address your girlfriend and tell her that this evening has been planned for her ’cause you have something to ask.

Get down and pop the question.

Write it in the skies

Take your girlfriend for a day at the park, complete with comfy blanket to lounge on. As you’re lying under the skies, identifying cloud shapes, have a skywriter zoom by and spell out your proposal on high.

Another option is to hire a plane to fly a banner with your “Will you marry me, (insert name here)” message written on it.

Surprise birthday party

Birthdays are already special – plus, it’ll seem natural to have all her friends and family present for the big surprise. Plan a sweet and simple surprise birthday party and end it with an even bigger surprise – the proposal.

Bathtime duckie

Run a bath for your girlfriend with all the works – bubbles, wine, candles – and once she’s in the tub, feeling wonderful, come in and float a rubber duck towards her.

Of course, the duck will have a ring tied around its neck and a message written in waterproof marker: “Marry Me.” Point out that “Me” means you, not the duck.

Message in a bottle

Write a note asking your significant other to marry you, place it inside a bottle. Take her to the beach and when she is in the water, slip the bottle in and ask them to open it to see what it says.

The typical diamond – the first image that comes to mind – is of the brilliantly sparkly, pure white stone we’ve all become accustomed to seeing. But this isn’t the only kind of diamond.

Actually, far from it – the majority of the world’s diamonds have slight hints of color, and the infamous colorless diamonds actually make up only about 8% of all the diamonds in the world.

The other 92% of diamonds have some color, but not all of them qualify as “fancy” diamonds. So what is a fancy diamond?

What are fancy diamonds?

In order to be a “fancy,” the diamond must have either a certain color or an intensity of color – be it gray, blue, yellow, orange, red, green, pink, purple, brown, or black. Such fancy diamonds are extremely rare – only one in every 10,000 diamonds!

Fancy diamonds range in color. In fact, they come in pretty much every color of the rainbow. The value of these diamonds depends on both the hue and the intensity of the coloration. Although colored diamonds are generally rarer and often more expensive, there are always exceptions and you might have the luck of finding a beautiful fancy color diamond for less than what you’d pay for a traditional white diamond.

How are colored diamonds created?

“At certain times of the day the sky is colored. At sunrise – you have what colors? Yellow, orange, and red. Suppose your diamonds take shape at these moments. They are reflecting the yellow or the red, and it becomes a part of them. Or if it is not sunrise or sunset, but the middle part of the day when the sky is blue, they reflect the blue. Just at the moment they (diamonds) turn hard they take on the color of the sky. If they are formed at night when there is no color for them, they become pure and colorless – what we call white. This is how it happens, I am sure.” – Mr. Briefel, diamond cutter.

The above quote, spoken in an interview of a diamond cutter in the early 1950s perfectly captures the mystery surrounding colored diamonds. Even now, for all our technological advances, we still don’t know the exact causes for certain colors of diamonds.

A popular – and quite meaningful – explanation is that the beautiful colors of fancy diamonds are actually caused by “inclusions” – or diamond “flaws” that are transformed into gorgeous colors. For example, orange diamonds are thought to get their color from nitrogen inclusions and green diamonds are believed to have derived their color from exposure to radiation.

Are colored diamonds better than white diamonds?

This is a popular question about colored diamonds and the only answer is yes and no. Colored diamonds can be considered more valuable than colorless diamonds, but this depends on both on the intensity of the color as well as the actual color itself.

A good place to start answering this question is to first understand which diamonds qualify as “colored” diamonds. You already know that only 8% of all the world’s diamonds are colorless – this means that the other 92% must be colored diamonds – and yes, 92% are colored but not all of the 92% qualify as colored, fancy diamonds. This is because the majority of that 92% have color – but not enough of it.

You see, the majority of the world’s diamonds have hints of yellow and brown. These faint traces of color are the most common – and the least desired. As you may already know, diamonds are graded according to the 4 C’s – CUT, COLOR, CLARITY, and CARAT-WEIGHT – and this is the scale to measure a (colorless) diamond’s COLOR:

The closer a diamond is to “Colorless,” the more valuable it is. The majority of diamonds have traces of yellow and brown that give them a color grading somewhere between K and Z and decrease their value. But it’s only when a diamond has enough yellow or brown color (more than “Z”) that it falls outside of this color grading scale altogether and qualifies as a “fancy diamond.”

So, the value of a colored diamond depends partly on the intensity of the color. A light yellow tint is frowned on, but a deep yellow color qualifies as a “fancy diamond.”

But another aspect that matters more in the value of a colored diamond is the actual color of the diamond. The color of the diamond often matters more than the intensity of that color simply because certain colors are more rare and more desired by the public. For example, diamonds that are pink, blue, or red are extremely rare – and thus, more valuable.

What should I know about buying colored diamonds?

It’s good to keep in mind that white diamonds and fancy diamonds are not valued according to the same criteria. When it comes to fancy diamonds, COLOR is the most important of the 4 C’s, followed by CARAT-WEIGHT. A diamond that has a low intensity of rare colors is not measured according to the same color grading scale as colorless diamonds (see above), andincreases in value as the color intensity increases.

For fancy diamonds, the CUT proportions and CLARITY matter less than they do for white diamonds. That’s because white diamonds are CUT to maximize sparkle or brilliance so the precise CUT can make a big difference. Fancy color diamonds, on the other hand, are primarily CUT to emphasize their color.

CLARITY is also less important since the inclusions that a fancy diamond may have will usually be masked by its color.

Another useful tidbit about fancy colored diamonds is that they are usually cut into non-traditional SHAPES in order to enhance their natural color.

Remember that SHAPE differs from CUT. CUT describes a diamond’s light performance, SHAPE refers to the overall outline of the diamond. See diamond SHAPES here.

Because fancy color diamonds are so rare, it might be difficult to find a specific shape in a specific color at any given time.

What are the varieties of colored diamonds?

Fancy diamonds come in pretty much all the colors of the rainbow. Some colors are more rare than others and a few colors are more in demand – both factors that affect the value (and price) of those diamonds.

Here we list the fancy color diamonds so you can read more about each color in detail!

Champagne Diamonds

Champagne, aka brown, diamonds are by far the most abundant color of diamond and also the most affordable of the colored diamonds.

Champagne diamond engagement rings started gaining popularity around the mid-1980s and have been increasing in popularity ever since, showing up on the red carpet and attracting more public focus.

These lovely brown diamonds range from golden to a deep, brown, “cognac” color and are also known as brown diamonds, cognac diamonds or chocolate diamonds. The lighter brown shades are referred to as Champagne diamonds and the darker browns are called Cognac, or Chocolate, Diamonds.

These brown-hued diamonds happen to be the most common color and thanks to their relative abundance, are also the most affordable diamonds. The price range for a 1 carat brown diamond generally ranges between $2,500 and $6,000 but it is not difficult to find a gorgeous brown diamond ring for less than $1,000.

These brown color diamonds can be found with a single, pure color and one, two, or even three of the following secondary hues; Pure, Yellow, Yellowish, Pink, Pinkish, Orange, Orange-y, Greenish, Greenish Yellow, Purple, and Reddish.

Popularity of different shades of brown color diamonds is rapidly growing. They are found with Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Deep and Fancy Dark intensity grades depending on the secondary colors of the stone.

Black Diamonds

Mysterious, elegant, and dramatic, black diamonds also have the advantage of being one of the most affordable of the fancy color diamonds. Black diamonds can be found in only one color intensity level: fancy black.

Black diamond engagement rings are generally more affordable than the traditional white diamond engagement ring – plus, more chic and stylish. Black diamonds spiked in demand after the 2010’s Sex and the City scene when Big gave Carrie Bradshaw a stunning five-carat black diamond ring. Mysterious, elegant, and dramatic, black diamonds have a definite “awe” factor and is perfect for the woman who likes to draw stares.

Although black diamonds are opaque and don’t have the fire normally associated with diamonds, they have an intense shine and a unique charm that keeps them in strong demand. The price range for a 1 carat black diamond generally ranges between $2,500 and $6,000 but it is not too difficult to find a stunning black diamond ring for less than $1,500.

Yellow Diamonds

The majority of the world’s diamonds have slight traces of yellow, which actually lower their value. But once the yellow color is strong enough to fall outside the “colorless” grading scale, that diamond becomes a fancy yellow diamond.

Yellow, or canary, diamonds have been surging in popularity lately. They are currently the most in-demand color of the fancy diamonds. Their popularity can be attributed both to their bright, unique hue and the fact that yellow diamonds are among the more affordable color diamonds.

The price range for a 1 carat yellow diamond ranges greatly, depending on the shade and intensity, as well as carat-weight. Generally, a 1 carat yellow diamond will cost between $7,000 and $300,000. Unlike the brown or black diamonds, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a yellow diamond engagement ring below $1,500 but it should not be too hard to find a stunning yellow diamond engagement ring between $2,000 to $3,000.

The popularity of these yellow gems is also due to the highly publicized yellow diamond engagement rings of starlets like Rebecca Romjin and Kelly Clarkson.

Fun fact: Yellow diamonds are thought to be caused by the concentration of nitrogen combined with the carbon that forms the diamonds.

Orange Diamonds

Like with most fancy color diamonds – it is very rare to find a pure orange diamond. Larger orange diamonds with naturally vivid orange hues are a rarity and can make headlines with their high prices.

It is far more common to find orange diamonds with secondary colors, such as pink, yellow, or brown.

Pink Diamonds

Is there anything more feminine, more romantic than a pink diamond? Pink diamonds are second only to yellow diamonds in terms of market demand, but pink is far more rare – fewer than one percent of all diamonds – and thus, also more expensive.

The exact cause of pink-hued diamonds is still unknown, making this color as mysterious as it is gorgeous. One popular theory is that the lovely pink hue is the result of an tremendous amount of pressure placed on these diamonds which cause something known as “plastic deformation” – an interesting example of beauty formed through hardship.

One thing you should keep in mind when buying pink diamonds is that these diamonds are very rare and usually fetch an average of 20 times the price of an equivalent white diamond. The value of a pink diamond explodes as its size and color intensity – the largest pink diamond ever just fetched a whopping $17 million last year.

So these pink beauties are popular…but expensive.

A one-carat, vivid or intense pink diamond of medium purity could have a price tag in the hundreds of thousands. Pink diamonds that are much smaller and/or with less vivid hue will of course be more affordable, but it is difficult to find pink diamonds for less than $3,000.

Blue Diamonds

The infamous Hope Diamond is probably the most well-know of the fancy blue color diamonds.

Blue diamonds can be found in all intensities: Faint, Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Intense, Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep, and Fancy Dark – with the value of the diamond increasing along with the color intensity.

The combination of boron and carbon is what causes different shades of blue colors in the stones.

Fancy blue diamonds have a royal, luxurious appearance and have fetched record prices at the world’s largest auction houses. Intense blue diamonds can cost a small fortune, even outside of an auction house. A one-carat Fancy Dark Blue diamond can average between $300,000 to $800,000! You can definitely find smaller carats at more affordable prices, but expect to pay at least $3,000 for a decently-sized blue diamond engagement ring.

Green Diamonds

Green diamonds range from lighter minty hues to a deep green, with prices increasing along with color intensity. Aqua colors – known as Chameleon colors – are also popular.

Unlike any of the other colored diamonds, the brilliant green color of these diamonds is caused by natural gamma radiation.

Red Diamonds

Red diamonds are the rarest of all the fancy color diamonds and pure red diamonds are the rarest and highest priced in the world. They’re so rare, in fact, that most jewelers have never seen one. Natural red beauties have fetched around a million dollars per carat.

Most red diamonds have slight overtones of purple, brown, or orange. There is only one intensity grade for red color diamonds: Fancy Red, with modifying hues.

Want to know all the ins and outs on how to buy a diamond ring? Makes sense, considering this will be one of the biggest purchases you make. So let’s dig into the first four crucial things you need to know in order to get the perfect diamond.

The price of a diamond is mostly based on its 4 C’s, which is just an easy-to-remember way of classifying diamonds. The 4 C’s are simply the diamond’s Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat-Weight. Let’s go through the individual C’s in a little more detail.

A Diamond’s CUT

The cut of the diamond is possibly the most important quality and it has a little more to do with human craftsmanship than it does with nature.

A raw diamond is just that – an unpolished stone – and it takes a real artiste to cut and polish that diamond so that its angles are perfectly aligned to capture every ray of light.

A diamond that has been cut correctly will have angles that reflect the light that enters the diamond back up toward the top of the diamond. You can see this in the example below. See how the light is reflected back toward the surface? That results in that brilliant sparkle factor we all associate with diamonds.

If a diamond is not cut well, it loses the advantage of light – resulting in a lackluster diamond. In example #2, you can see what happens when a diamond is cut too shallow: the light that enters escapes out the side of the diamond. No reflection, less sparkle. The same thing happens in example #3, when a diamond is cut too deep: the light simply leaves without reflecting back toward the top, which also results in less sparkle.

The way a diamond is cut is the difference between a brilliantly sparkly diamond and a lackluster one. It determines the diamond’s brightness, the flash of rainbow colors that it throws out, and the intense glitters it shows when it moves.

As such, it can even be thought of as the most important of the 4 C’s. Watch closely for each individual diamond’s cut as you’re browsing selections. It makes a huge difference.

Note: The CUT of the diamond is often confused with SHAPE, which is what terms like ‘princess cut’ or ’emerald cut’ refer to.

This is important when it comes to choosing the perfect engagement ring but it is a topic for another post.

The second C in buying a diamond: COLOR

Did you know that diamonds actually come is all the colors of the rainbow? The majority of diamonds are not pure, colorless white. In fact, most have small traces of yellow and brown – which typically reduce their value. Some diamonds come in fancier colors such as pink or blue and are thus called “Fancies” in the industry. The “Fancies” tend to be prized for their unusual hue and that’s reflected in their higher prices.

The most valuable diamonds are the ones we typically think of when we think of diamonds: pure white, colorless, translucent stones. These colorless stones are rare – only about 8% of all the diamonds in the world – and are considered the best because their lack of color allows light to pass easily through the diamond.

The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) rates the color of these white diamonds from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). The grades are based on the amount of yellow-ness that is visible when the diamond is viewed facedown through the pavilion on a white diamond color card using a daylight-equivalent flourescent light.

As you can see from the color grade chart below, each color grade is barely distinguishable from the next.

There is a very subtle, hard-to-spot difference between one grade to another, but that slight difference is not-so-slight when it comes to the price – a difference of a grade or two can translate to a few thousand dollars.

The third C in buying a diamond: CLARITY

Although not visible to the naked eye, when seen under magnification – most diamonds have tiny blemishes. Most diamonds have these flaws – known as “inclusions” simply because of the way diamonds are made.

As you might know, diamonds are the result of massive heat and pressure being placed on carbon crystals below the earth’s surface. At the time the diamonds are being formed, there might also be other minerals and crystals around and little bits of those can get trapped inside the diamond. Those tiny “inclusions” are kind of like diamond birthmarks, making each diamond unique and also determining the diamond’s CLARITY.

The clarity of a diamond is simply the number, location, size, and type of “inclusions” that a diamond has (or doesn’t have). The GIA rates clarity from Flawless to Internally Flawless to Imperfect 1, 2, & 3 (3 being the worst).

As a rule: the less inclusions a diamond has (i.e. flawless), the less interference with the light passing through the diamond.

Needless to say, flawless diamonds are the most valuable. They are the also the most rare…so the priciest as well.

The fourth C in buying a diamond: CARAT-WEIGHT

Carats simply refers to the weight of a diamond. And although size isn’t everything (the other C’s matter a lot too) – all things being equal, yes, bigger is better.

If two diamonds have similar cut, color, and clarity – the one with the higher CARAT-WEIGHT will be more valuable, and thus, more expensive. However, a huge diamond with average cut, color, and clarity will be worth less than a smaller diamond with an excellent cut, no color, and flawless clarity.

The popular notion is that there is rarely a woman who does not like diamonds. But maybe your wife-to-be has certain qualms against diamonds, or perhaps you just want something even more brilliant than a diamond – for a fraction of the price.

Truth is, a huge part of the appeal to the diamond is its sparkle factor, but there are some gemstones that have even more sparkle than diamonds while still having a near-comparable hardness, making it difficult for them to be scratched or damaged.

If you’re not set on having an actual diamond, here are some alternatives that you might want to check out!

Diamond Alternative #1. Moissanite

Moissanite is more brilliant than a diamond and has the added cool factor of being found in meteorites! The stone is composed of a hexgonal crystal system which gives it is unique brilliance and ranks at 9.25 on the mineral hardness scale (diamonds are ranked at 10) so they’re resistance to scratches and other forms of destruction are comparable to diamonds.

What is certainly not comparable to diamonds, though, is Moissanite’s price. These are really affordable stones – you can get a half-carat for around $250.00, compared to around $1,000 for a half-carat diamond.

Diamond Alternative #2. White Sapphire

Sapphires are mostly known for their brilliant blue hues, but they actually come in a range of colors, of which white is one. White sapphires are a great diamond alternative as they are generally crystal clear and rank at a 9 on the mineral hardness scale, making them quite destruction-resistant and good for everyday wear.

The only drawback to white sapphires as compared to diamonds is the brilliance factor. Diamonds are prized for their ability to reflect light, giving off that dazzling sparkle and flashes of fire. White sapphires are shiny, but they don’t have the high refractive index that diamonds do.What they do have, though, is a very sweet price tag – you can score one of these gems for anywhere between $300 to $1,500 (depending on the size of them gemstone).

Diamond Alternative #3. Cubic Zirconia

Cubic zirconia is probably the best known diamond alternative. Like diamonds, cubic zirconia stones are pretty damn hard (ranking at an 8 – 8.5 on the mineral hardness scale), clear, and highly refractive (almost as much as a diamond).

How close to a diamond is cubic zirconia? Well, to the untrained eye, a CZ can easily pass for a diamond. The main difference between the two gemstones lie in weight – a CZ stone can weigh almost twice as much as a comparably sized diamond.

Also, the lower refractive index gives the CZ a different type of sparkle than a diamond. If the sparkle factor is a concern, you’ll be able to find cubic zirconia covered with a thin coat of powered diamond. Covered stones will have a more diamond-like appearance (as well as a more diamond-like price).

Diamond Alternative #4. White Topaz

White topaz, much like the sapphire above, is naturally found in several different colors. Also like the sapphire, the topaz is not as brilliant as a diamond – its refractive index is only about half that of a diamond.

However, it ranks at 8 on the mineral hardness scale, making it quite durable. The white topaz is also surprisingly affordable, costing a few hundred dollars for a one-carat stone.

Diamond Alternative #5. Goshenite (White Beryl)

What’s a “beryl,” you ask? Well, it’s a mineral composed of beryllium aluminium cyclosilicat – it’s usually colorless (white, colorless beryl is named “Goshenite”) but they can also be green (what you know as an “Emerald”), pink, red, and gold.

Goshenite has the same refractive index (1.6) and the same hardness as topaz (8). These stones can easily be purchased loose and custom set in a ring setting of your choice, just like diamonds.

The best thing about Goshenite? Its price – a stone won’t cost you more than $100.

Diamond Alternative #6. Titania

Titania has been used as a diamond alternative since the ’50s and is composed of titanium dioxide. The best thing about Titania is that it has the highest light refraction of any gemstone. If brilliance is a big factor in your gemstone choice – Titania is for you.

The two drawbacks to this gemstone is that it has a much lower hardness (ranking at 6 on the mineral hardness scale) and is not as resistant to damage as the above diamond alternatives. Also, it’s rare to find pure, clear Titania gemstones, which isn’t necessarily a drawback, especially if you like a hint of red or yellow.

You’ve finally found your soul mate and you’re ready to pop the big question – the only problem is that you don’t want the big price tag.

Don’t worry – you’re not alone in wanting to save money on such a big purchase. Actually, it’s the smartest thing to do, both for yourself and your wife-to-be. Remember that after the engagement comes the wedding and after that, the honeymoon. Both are major expenses. Not to mention that afterwards, you’ll be starting a new life together. Wouldn’t it be nice to start that new life without a hefty engagement-ring-debt on your hands?

There are so many options when it comes to buying an engagement ring that you really don’t have to pay more than your budget. In fact, the engagement ring can be a lot cheaper than you’d expect – just don’t ever use that particular word (cheap) and “engagement ring” in the same sentence around your wife. It’s better to say that you got the best ring in your budget 🙂

Here are some tips for buying an engagement ring on a budget:

The Basics

The first and foremost tip is do not hesitate to negotiate. Most of us aren’t used to haggling for our purchases, so it may feel a bit awkward, but there is always room for negotiation. You don’t have to be aggressive, just ask for a discount and never buy a ring for the sticker price until you’ve done your research, shopped around and know it’s a good price.

If you’re not into haggling – or just want cheaper prices in general – shop online for an engagement ring. You’ll find the best deals on the Internet. Online retailers have far less expenses and overhead than brick-and-mortar shops (rent, utilities, etc.) and can afford to offer cheaper prices for equal quality.

Another basic option to buying an engagement ring on a budget is to simply set a low budget and opt for a less expensive ring for now. You can promise her an upgrade on your 1st or 5th wedding anniversary – which makes for a nice event to look forward to for her as well as a chance to throw another mini-celebration (she’ll probably like that just as much as the new ring)!

But if you’d prefer to get a mind-blowing ring the first time around…

Go Vintage

Hey, vintage is IN and by shopping around, you’ll be able to score a beautiful vintage ring that is both more affordable and more unique than many of the typical engagement rings on the market.

This is an especially great option if your wife-to-be is into vintage items to begin with. Watch her clothing and accessory choices – does she seem to have a fondness for some past era? Does she love the uniqueness of thrift store finds? If so, vintage engagement rings will allow you to buy an awesome ring – for much less than you’d expect!

Buy Pre-Owned

Even if it’s not “vintage,” you can find some very high-quality, even branded engagement rings on pre-owned sites like Portero. Jewelery is not like clothing or cars – precious stones don’t lose their value just ’cause someone owned them before. Browse around on Portero and check out their huge collection of rings. They offer savings of around 50% per item!

Take Advantage of Not-Quite-Whole Numbers

Did you know that there’s a big price difference between small weight differences? For example, you can often save more than $1,000 by buying a 0.90 carat diamond than buying a 1.0 carat diamond and as much as $5,000 when you buy a 1.90 carat diamond rather than a 2.0 carat diamond. The Carat-Weight difference is minimal (and honestly the other C’s might matter more) but the price difference is huge.

The 0.90 carat diamond won’t look different from the 1.0 carat – the difference is about 0.2 millimeters, equivalent to a sheet of paper – and you’ll save a lot. Shop around for diamonds that are just under certain weight thresholds!

A diamond may be forever but so is the Internet.

As many people have found out the hard way – through various social media blunders – once it’s online, it’s online for good.

The good news is you can always use that to your advantage to plan a marriage proposal that will be commemorated in Internet history. Here are some examples of the best 6 Internet marriage proposals EVER, in no particular order.

Best Internet Proposal #1. The Meme Proposal

Timothy Tiam sneaked up on his girlfriend Audrey Ling at Neroteca, a restaurant in Malaysia where she was having dinner with friends.

The reason for the interruption? He’d made several poster-sized printed memes all commemorating his love for her and his intent to marry. He started it off with the Socially Awkward Penguin and illustrated the rest of his proposal with classic Internet memes like Improssibru and the Y U NO Guy simply stating, “IF YOU LIKE IT, Y U NO PUT RING ON IT”

Watch the whole meme proposal here:

Best Internet Proposal #2. The Mashable Infographic Proposal

We always say the best marriage proposals are the ones custom-designed to fit the couple’s unique dynamic – and this one fits the bill perfectly.

When Drake Martinet decided to propose to the love of his life, Stacy Green – who also happens to be Mashable’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, he decided to do it through the means that best displayed his personality and through a medium that she was familiar with – a Mashable Infographic.

Martinet created a unique Infographic that statistically analyzed how him and Stacy were indeed soulmates – with statistical figures embedded throughout.

Truly geeky, truly unique and – the perfect proposal for this couple.

Best Internet Proposal #3. The First Live “Lip-Dub” Marriage Proposal Ever

This is not necessarily an Internet proposal, but since it’s been uploaded on YouTube, it’s gone viral getting over 3 million views in 3 days.

The man, Isaac Lamb, enlists over 60 of his friends and family to orchestrate a fun, casual, but very intimate lip-dub for his marriage proposal. His girlfriend is invited out by his brother – who asks her to sit in the back of the car, put on headphones and listen to a song. The car begins to drive slowly and people begin to appear, dancing and following the car.

This is such a sweet proposal for all the effort that went into making it – both by the groom-to-be and all the family and friends who love the couple.

Best Internet Proposal #4. Surprise Marriage Proposal by a Cracked.com Columnist

In case you don’t know what Cracked.com is, it’s a fantastic humor site with several regular columnists writing in their various unique tones on a variety of topics.

The site is hilarious – but the articles also have substance and you can usually learn a thing or two while laughing. As such, it’s one of our go-to humor sites for a quick pick-me-up so imagine our surprise when at the end of one of the articles…the columnist John Cheese asks his girlfriend to marry him.

It’s an awesome marriage proposal since throughout the whole article – 5 Ways You Know It’s Time to Get Married – is chronicling the writer’s past bad dating experiences while also highlighting what he loves about his then-girlfriend. He does quite a clever job of illustrating how much he loves his girlfriend while making it all just fit into the overall content of the article.

The article ends with:

She made me realize that there exists a commitment so deep that some people are willing to bind themselves to its vows even without a piece of paper and a preacher to walk you through them. And I feel the same way she does. I mean, when you boil it right down to the basics, I’m committed to never cheating on her. I already love her, and I always will — true, honest love isn’t something that just dries up one day. I will always take care of her, no matter what the circumstance. I’m prepared to spend the rest of my life with her …

… Oh. Well, I guess when I put it that way, I’m actually kind of surprised we aren’t already married by now. I can be kind of a dumbass from time to time.

Emily Clark, will you marry me?

Best Internet Proposal #5. The Lolcatz Proposal

Whatever you may think about a lolcatz proposal – you have to admit itz purty kyoot.

The best part is that the recipient’s answer also arrived via lolcatz….this couple is truly meant for each other…

Best Internet Proposal #6. Juliewillyoumarry.me

To propose to his girlfriend Julie, a man named Jim created a website (yes, its url is http://juliewillyoumarry.me) and had an awesome illustrator create images for the whole history of their relationship together.

As you scroll down, you see how they met, how happy he’s been, all the quirks and happenings that’re unique to their relationship, everything he’s learned from being with her…and at the bottom of the page, there lies a marriage proposal in flashing colors.

By this time, you’re already convinced they’re going to be together no matter what.

Very cute, very unique marriage proposal.

See the site here.

You’ve met your soul mate. You’ve brainstormed the best way to propose. You’re positive she’ll say “Yes.” Now all you need is the ring.

Lucky for you, there are plenty of options nowadays and many of the best options are from online retailers. Because online jewelers don’t have the overhead costs that brick-and-mortar stores do (high rents, utilities, etc.), they can afford to sell at better prices – meaning you get more bling for your buck.

Want to know more about why you should buy the engagement ring online?

Here’s how to buy an awesome engagement ring online:

Set a Budget

Engagement rings typically start from around $500 and can go as high as…well, add several more zeroes to the $500…

So the first step in buying an engagement ring is to set a budget. Shopping without one can be overwhelming (there are soooo many rings to choose from) and there’s a very good chance you’ll end up overspending.

Set a ballpark range that you’re comfortable with and make sure you know the highest price you can afford to pay. Set your own standards first and then go looking. It’s so much easier that way.

Do Your Research

Engagement rings are a big purchase, and like any big purchase – they do warrant some research. I mean, you wouldn’t just buy a car because it looks good, right?

An engagement ring is forever (hopefully) so it pays to take some time to get to know about what you’re looking for. It’ll help streamline your search, help you get the best bling at the best price, and she’ll be pretty impressed that you know the difference between a carat vs. karat vs. carrot.

Start at the Store

Yes, you’re planning on buying the ring online, but it helps to see things in person first. You’ll also have the advantage of a jewelry specialist or two to answer any questions you might have in real time.

You’ll also get a chance to test your precious stone knowledge in action by examining how a ring’s cut influences the sparkle factor (see the 4 C’s) and testing if you can spot the difference in the subtle shades of a diamond’s coloring (see the guide to diamonds so you actually have this know how).

Not to mention – you’ll feel great when you finally get online and see that you can buy the same rings that you saw at the store for around 50% cheaper.

Scope Out the Online Stores

There are several online jewelers that offer a range of engagement rings at affordable prices. We only recommend well-known, reputable jewelers – with searchable customer reviews – that provide at least a 30-day money-back, full refund guarantee as well as diamond certifications.

See tips for buying a diamond safely online.

Of these, there are quite a few options depending on what you’re looking for.

James Allen is our favorite online diamond retailer as all their purchases come with free shipping, a 60-day no-questions-asked money-back guarantee, plus return shipping to boot.

They are also the only online store that provides the same experience as seeing the diamonds in person – all of James Allen’s loose diamonds and ring settings can be viewed with their high-resolution 360-degree Diamond Display Technology so you can see the exact diamond you’re going to buy in the comfort of your own, at reduced prices.

Tip: It’s recommended that you choose the loose diamond stone before it is placed in a setting, since this allows you to inspect the quality of the entire diamond.

On the hunt for the perfect diamond engagement ring? Well, there may be a lot of talk about the 4 C’s but one of the most important factors to consider fall outside of the cut, color, clarity and carat weight. Yup, we’re talking about diamond shapes.

Here’s everything you need to know to choose the perfect shape for your perfect bride!

What are Diamond Shapes?

Even if you’re a diamond newbie, you probably know a little more about diamond shapes than you know. Some of the more commonly-referred to diamond shapes include the “Princess Cut” or the “Asscher Cut.” All of these descriptions refer simply to the shape that a particular diamond has been cut to.

When we refer to diamond cuts (i.e. Princess Cut, Oval Cut) in this article, we’re actually referring to the particular shape the diamond is cut in, not how well its angles have been cut to reflect light and brilliance (which is the CUT mentioned in the 4 C’s).

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here’s what we mean when we refer to diamond shapes (the shape a diamond is cut in):

As opposed to a diamond’s cut (how well a diamond has been cut to reflect light):

Shape and cut are related, however, since the cut (shape) of these individual shapes is influenced by how well it has been cut (angles set to reflect light) to that particular design.

You’ll find out a lot more about this as you read about each type of diamond shape. But first, here’s two terms you’ll want to be familiar with…

Brilliant Cut vs. Step Cut Diamonds

When it comes to diamonds, CUT matters. Of all the 4 C’s of buying diamonds, the CUT of the diamond is the most important factor for determining a diamond’s brilliance – you know, those blindingly intense flashes of light we associate diamonds with.

And all of the diamond shapes below can be classified according to two general types of cuts: Brilliant Cut and Step Cut.

Here’s what you need to know about each type of cut!

Brilliant Cut

Brilliant Cut is a term you’ll hear again and again and this simply refers to diamonds of any shape with facets that are mostly triangular or kite-shaped and that radiate from the center.

Like the name suggests, Brilliant Cut diamonds give off the most brilliance – which is simply the brightness of a diamond that is created by all the white light reflections from both the surface and the insides of a diamond. It’s this reflection of white light that results in that “crushed-ice,” BLING look that diamonds are so well-know for.

The most popular of the brilliant cut diamonds are Round Cuts, Oval Cuts, Marquise Cuts, Cushion Cuts, Pear Cuts, and Heart Cuts.

An alternative to Brilliant Cuts are the…

Step Cut

The Step Cut is another cutting style with long, narrow facets in rows that run parallel to the girdle on both the crown and pavilion.

Step Cut diamonds produce a “hall-of-mirror” effect, rather than the “crushed ice” bling-iness of Brilliant Cut diamonds. As a result, Step Cut diamonds are less fiery than Brilliant Cuts but produce an entrancing optical effect of long lines and contrasting light and dark planes for dramatic flashes of light.

The most popular of the Step Cut diamonds are the Emerald Cut and the Asscher Cut.

So how do they stack up?

Each of these two cuts have their unique advantages and disadvantages. A Brilliant Cut diamond reflects more light and stronger contrast, giving it a brilliance that a Step Cut diamond lacks.

Still, the Step Cut has its own dramatic, elegant charm that’s reminiscent of a sort of old-world glamor. This cut is best-known as the preferred cut by style icons such as Jackie Kennedy and Grace Kelly and may be the perfect choice depending on the style preference of your wife-to-be.

Step Cuts also tend to be far less pricey than Brilliant Cut stones and have been gaining popularity with the 3-stone engagement ring setting.

Ultimately, which one you go with depend on you and your fiance’s style and preferences but it’s good to keep it in mind as you shop for the perfect diamond shape, which brings us to…

Most Popular Diamond Shapes

To get you acquainted with the range of diamond shapes out there – as well as their pros and cons – here’s a simple list of everything you need to know about shapes!

Round Cut Diamonds

The classic round cut diamond is the most popular diamond shape. In fact, about 75% of all diamonds sold are round cuts!

There is good reason for its popularity, since the round cut is considered to be the most superior shape for bringing out the most brilliance. Brilliance is simply the brightness of a diamond that is created by all the white light reflections from both the surface and the interior angles of a diamond. It is this reflection of white light that results in the “crushed-ice,” sparkly look that diamonds are famous for.

A well-cut round diamond consists of angles that perfectly reflect light back toward the top for maximum brightness, the flashes of light that dazzle when a diamond moves, and the fire of rainbow colors that are reflected off a diamond.

Thanks to their superiority in brilliance, round diamonds tend to cost more on a per carat basis than other shapes because the demand is so high and also because more of a rough diamond stone is lost in the cutting of a round diamond.

Recommended setting styles: Round cut diamonds are very flexible and can fit to pretty much any style of ring.

Princess Cut Diamonds

The princess cut is relatively new to the diamond shapes world but is already a very popular diamond cut for engagement rings, possibly since princess cut diamonds have a high sparkle factor that’s comparable to the brilliance of round cut diamonds – but with a lower price tag.

This cut is also popular among diamond cutters since of all the cuts, it wastes the least of the original crystal. Because the 4-sided pyramid shape of a princess cut diamond is similar to a half of a octahedron rough diamond stone , two equally-sized princess cut diamonds can be cut from the same rough diamond stone with relatively little waste.

This is why princess cut diamonds typically cost less per carat than round cut diamonds. Also, the corner-to-corner measure of a princess cut is about 15% greater than the diameter of a same-weight round diamond, so it creates the illusion of greater size.

Tip: Of all the square cut diamonds, the “Brilliant-Cut or Radiant-Cut Princess” are the sparkliest. The amount of sparkle can hide low clarity, to some degree, but it will not hide low color – useful to remember when you’re assessing a Princess Cut diamond’s 4 C’s.

Recommended setting styles: Flexible and can work with most styles, but a Princess Cut diamond should always be set so that its four corners are protected.

Oval Cut Diamonds

The oval cut is a unique take on the classic round cut and since the two shapes possess similar fire and brilliance, the oval cut is an ideal choice if you like the look of a round diamond but want something a bit more unique.

Oval-shaped diamond rings are a unique take on the classic round cut diamond and a great choice if you like the look of a round diamond but want something a bit more unique.

Oval diamonds are brilliant cuts, which mean they’re shaped to maximize brilliance and fire – the rainbow range of colors that diamonds flash.

Oval cut diamonds also have the benefit of appearing bigger, thanks to the elongated shape.

Tip: Oval Cuts are ideal for women with bigger, thicker fingers since the slender shape helps make the fingers appear longer and slimmer.

Recommended setting styles: Oval Cuts are pretty much as flexible as Round Cuts and can suit a variety of ring setting styles. A slightly thinner Oval Cut may be most flattering in a setting where the diamond is flanked by smaller side stones.

Tips on buying an oval-shaped diamond engagement ring: Oval-shaped diamond engagement rings are not that common and tend to be pricier than many of the other diamond shapes. When shopping for a ring, expect to pay at the very least $2,000 for an oval-shaped diamond ring. Prices only go up from there.

A more affordable option would be to purchase a loose oval-shaped diamond and have it set separately. The best online store for buying loose diamonds is James Allen – they have their entire loose diamond inventory visible online for 360 degree viewing, with drag-and-click options so you can every angle and sparkle in the diamond.

Marquise Cut Diamonds

The Marquise cut is simply an oval with pointed ends, shaped slightly like a football.

Marquise diamonds are brilliant cuts, which simply means that they’ve been cut at an angle that reflects white light to maximize the diamond’s brilliance. The result? Awesome sparkle and light reflection.

A particular advantage of the Marquise Cut is that it’s long and narrow, creating the illusion of greater size. Carat for carat, these cuts produce one of the largest crown surface areas of any diamond shape – perfect if you want a large diamond without the big price tag.

Tip: Like the oval diamond, the marquise cut diamond’s elongated shape helps make the finger appear longer and slimmer.

Recommended setting styles: Marquise Cuts are pretty much as flexible as Round Cuts and can suit a variety of ring setting styles, but should always be set so that the two pointed ends are protected.

Pear Shape Diamonds

Also known as the “Teardrop,” the Pear Cut is a brilliant-cut diamond that combines the Round and the Marquise Cuts for a unique, highly feminine shape.

The pear shaped diamond’s claim to fame began when a beautiful pear diamond was given to Elizabeth Taylor by her husband Richard Burton.

The length-to-width ratios of pear shaped diamonds range from 1.40 to 1.70.

As you can see, the diamond tends to taper down, becoming narrower as you go up toward 1.70. Whether you get a wide or narrow pear diamond doesn’t affect its quality – it’s more a matter of personal choice – but generally, a wider shape looks nicer in an engagement ring, especially if it’ll be a solitaire ring.

Tip: Like both the marquise and oval cuts, the Pear Cut has the advantage of making fingers look longer and slimmer. Avoid Pear Cut diamonds in which the rounded end is not symmetrical.

Recommended setting styles: The pear cut looks great in a variety of ring settings. Check out the glossary of engagement ring settings for suggestions!

Radiant Cut Diamonds

The Radiant Cut is the most brilliant of all the square diamond shapes, perfectly combining an elegant square (or rectangular) shape with the brilliance of the round cut diamond. The corners are slightly trimmed, giving it a tidy elegance.

The Radiant Cut is a square or rectangular shapes stone that combines the brilliance of the round cut diamond with the trendy twist of the princess cut. The corners are slightly trimmed, giving it a tidy elegance.

The radiant cut diamond is the first square cut diamond to use a complete brilliance-cut facet pattern, making this cut the most brilliant of all the square diamond shapes. It’s an ideal choice for someone who wants a trendy, unique square shape without sacrificing brilliance.

Recommended setting styles: The radiant cut’s cropped corners make it a nice in-between of the cushion and princess cuts and because of that, the radiant cut looks great set with both rounded or square diamonds.

Cushion Cut Diamonds

A cushion cut diamond combines a square cut with rounded corners, resulting in a soft, cushion-like shape. This is a classic shape and has been around for nearly 200 years. And not only has it been around, but it was the most popular diamond shape ’til around the early 20th century.

It’s not hard to understand why the cushion cut was so popular – it has the sophistication and elegance that square cuts provide, plus the rounded softness and brilliance of a round cut.

Because cushion cuts were the de facto design up until the 20th century, if you decide to buy an antique diamond engagement ring, you might find quite a few cushion cuts available. However, it’s good to keep in mind that there have been a few modern refinements to cushion cuts, giving the more recently-cut diamonds increased brilliance over traditional ones.

If there’s a drawback to cushion cut diamonds, it’s that they tend to have less brilliance than round cuts. But what they lack in brilliance, they make up with better fire – the light that reflects out of a diamond in a prism of rainbow color.

Tip: The standards for cushion cut diamonds vary more than other shapes, giving rise to a variety of Cushion Cut stones. Still, the modern cushion cuts usually have one of three basic facet patterns:

Of these, the “modified” Cushion Cut (far right) has an extra row of facets on the pavilion, which gives this variety of stones the “crushed ice” brilliance most similar to the Round Cuts – perfect if you like the shape of Cushion Cuts but also want the BLING factor.

Recommended setting styles: The cushion cut looks great in a variety of ring settings. Check out the range of engagement ring settings for suggestions!

Emerald Cut Diamonds

The emerald cut is modeled after the cut of emerald stones and is the most popular of the step cuts. It’s a unique, simple design of a large, open table surrounded by long, stair-step facets.

The elegant emerald cut, with its old world glamor, was the preferred style of legendary fashionistas such as Jackie Kennedy and Grace Kelly. Recently, emerald cuts have been in vogue – being preferred for their uniqueness and beauty. For a woman with a sophisticated, vintage style – this would be the perfect diamond shape.

Like all step cuts, the emerald cut produces a “hall of mirror” effect, rather than the “crushed ice” effect of brilliant buts. These cuts are less fiery, but have the elegant appeal of long lines and dramatic flashes of light.

Tip: The open table of these cuts showcases the diamond’s COLOR and CLARITY – be sure to not skimp on these 2 C’s in mind when you shop for Emerald Cuts!

Recommended setting styles: Emerald cut stones look great in a variety of settings. They can be set with prongs in a solitaire setting or showcased alongside other stones in a three-stone setting.

Tips on buying an emerald cut diamond: Emerald cut diamond engagement rings tend to be pricier than the other cuts (think in the $3,000 and up price range). If you specifically want an emerald cut diamond ring, consider buying the diamonds loose and having the ring set separately. The best online store to shop for loose diamonds is James Allen – they feature 360 degree views of all their loose diamonds and you can click-and-drag to see every aspect of the stone.

Asscher Cut Diamonds

The Asscher Cut is similar to an emerald cut, but square, combining the timeless elegance of the emerald cut with the Art-Deco chic of its octagonal design.

You’ll find a lot of antique asscher cuts diamonds if you decide to go vintage, since these diamonds peaked in popularity in the 1920s before making a comeback again around the early 2000s.

The more modern asscher cuts have been modified to give the shape more brilliance and increase the prismatic “hall-of-mirrors” effect that all step cut diamonds are famous for. The modern asscher cut diamond is still very similar to the emerald cut, but with larger step facets, a higher crown, and a smaller table. This combination gives the asscher cut more brilliance than the emerald cut. Specifically, the more recently-developed Royal Asscher cut has 16 additional facets, increasing brilliance and the making the hall-of-mirrors effect more dramatic.

Tip: You can spot a well-cut asscher diamond by looking down through its table and spotting what looks like concentric squares going down. Also keep in mind that like emerald cuts, the asscher cut also showcases a diamond’s COLOR and CLARITY – these are the 2 most important C’s to consider when shopping for asscher diamonds.

Recommended setting styles: Asscher cuts work well with pretty much every setting style, but if you want to get smaller asscher cut stones set into a multi-stone ring, keep in mind that square cuts tend to be pricier to set than round stones.

Heart Cut Diamonds

A heart-shaped diamond combines the unmistakable shape of love with the stone that represents forever.

These are Brilliant Cut diamonds, with all the fire and brilliance that these cuts offer.

When choosing a heart, symmetry is super important – make sure that the cleft (cleavage of the heart) is sharp and distinct and that the wings of the heart have a very slightly rounded shape.

Tip: If you opt for a Heart cut diamond, keep in mind that it’ll have to be bigger than .50 carats in order to have a clearly visible shape.

Recommended setting styles:

Heart Cut diamonds are beautiful in a simple solitaire setting (one single diamond). For those settings, a slightly wide cut diamond is the most appealing. A bezel of three-prong setting is also beautiful for smaller hearts.

Once you know the diamond shape you want, you can move on to the fun part – choosing the perfect setting to showcase that stone!