Pear Shaped Diamond
Quick answer
A pear shaped diamond, sometimes called a teardrop diamond, has one rounded end and one pointed tip. The key checks are length-to-width ratio (most buyers prefer between 1.50 and 1.70), point alignment, the bow tie effect through the centre and prongs that protect the tip. Choose pear if you want an elongated shape with more softness than a marquise.
Shape at a glance
| Detail | Typical detail | Buying note |
|---|---|---|
| Facet pattern | Modified brilliant with one rounded end and one point. | The shape blends oval softness with marquise length. |
| Typical ratio | Around 1.45 to 1.75, with 1.50 to 1.70 reading balanced to many buyers. | Fuller pears feel softer. Longer pears feel more dramatic. |
| Sparkle | Bright when well cut, with possible bow tie and colour near the point. | Inspect the exact stone because pears vary widely in balance. |
| Best for | Solitaire rings, halos, pendants, drop earrings and asymmetric designs. | Choose pear when you want a distinctive shape that still feels graceful. |
What is a Pear Shaped Diamond?
A pear shaped diamond is a teardrop-shaped brilliant cut with one rounded end and one pointed end. It can be worn point-up or point-down in a ring, though point facing the fingertip is the more familiar orientation.
The shape needs balance. The point should line up with the centre of the rounded end, and the shoulders should curve smoothly without looking flat or uneven.
What to check before choosing
Check the bow tie on a pear diamond
Most pear shaped diamonds show some shadow through the centre, known as a bow tie. Look for a soft, balanced bow tie that moves with the stone rather than a dark band that dominates the middle.
Best length-to-width ratio for a pear diamond
Most buyers prefer a ratio between 1.50 and 1.70, where the teardrop reads graceful without feeling too long. Fuller ratios closer to 1.45 feel softer and rounder, while higher ratios above 1.70 feel more dramatic and slender.
Protect the point with the right setting
The pointed tip is the most vulnerable part of the shape. A V-prong, bezel or chevron-style head protects it for daily wear, which is especially important on engagement rings.
Settings that suit this shape
- A solitaire keeps the teardrop outline clear.
- A halo can make the pear look larger and soften the point visually.
- Three-stone rings with round or tapered side stones can balance the asymmetry.
Who does pear suit?
Pear shaped diamonds suit buyers who want an elongated stone with a graceful, less common outline. They also work beautifully when the design leans romantic or asymmetric.
Watch for
- The point can show colour more than the rounded end.
- A strong bow tie can distract from the shape.
- Poor shoulder shape is easier to see once the stone is set.
Other diamond shapes
- #01
Round
A round brilliant diamond is the safest shape if you want maximum sparkle and easier comparison between stones. It is the only common diamond shape with a formal GIA cut grade, so prioritise cut quality first, then choose colour and clarity grades that still look clean and bright once set.
- #02
Oval
An oval diamond gives a larger, lengthening look than a round diamond of similar weight, while keeping a brilliant-cut sparkle pattern. The main buying checks are bow tie, length-to-width ratio, shoulder shape and symmetry, because there is no single cut grade that tells you whether an oval is beautiful.
- #03
Emerald Cut
An emerald cut diamond is a step cut with long, open facets and clipped corners, giving a rectangular outline with broad flashes of light rather than fast brilliant-cut sparkle. Clarity, colour and ratio show more clearly than in other shapes, so most buyers start at VS1 or VS2 clarity, G colour or better, and a length-to-width ratio between 1.40 and 1.55 for a balanced classic look.
- #04
Cushion Cut
A cushion cut diamond has a square or rectangular outline with softened corners. It can look antique, modern, chunky or crushed ice depending on the facet pattern, and many buyers choose between a true square cushion at a ratio close to 1.00 or an elongated cushion around 1.15 to 1.30. Decide the sparkle style and outline first, then compare colour, depth and setting.
- #05
Marquise
A marquise diamond is a long brilliant-cut shape with pointed tips. It gives one of the largest face-up looks for its carat weight and makes a strong design statement, but it needs excellent symmetry, a manageable bow tie and protected tips. Choose it if you want length, drama and presence.
- #06
Princess Cut
A princess cut diamond is a square brilliant cut with sharp, uncut corners and strong sparkle. Often called a square diamond, it is a popular modern alternative to round, usually costing a little less per carat. The corners need protection from chipping, so check for V-prongs or a bezel, and watch face-up size, symmetry and colour near the edges.
- #07
Radiant Cut
A radiant cut diamond combines a square or rectangular outline with cropped corners and brilliant-style facets. It gives more sparkle than an emerald cut and softer corners than a princess cut, so it suits buyers who want geometry without giving up brightness. Choose between a square radiant at a ratio close to 1.00 or an elongated radiant at 1.15 to 1.35, then check centre brightness and facet pattern.
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View pear ringsFrequently asked questions
- What is a pear shaped diamond?
- A pear shaped diamond is a brilliant-cut diamond with one rounded end and one pointed tip, giving a teardrop outline. It blends the softness of an oval with the length of a marquise.
- What is the ideal ratio for a pear shaped diamond?
- Most buyers prefer a length-to-width ratio between 1.50 and 1.70. Lower ratios near 1.45 feel softer and fuller, while ratios above 1.70 feel more elongated and dramatic.
- What is the bow tie effect on a pear shaped diamond?
- The bow tie is a shadow that runs across the centre of brilliant-cut diamonds with elongated shapes. A soft bow tie that flickers as the stone moves is normal, but avoid stones where a dark band stays visible from any angle.
- Which way should a pear shaped diamond face on a ring?
- Most pear engagement rings are worn with the point toward the fingertip, which lengthens the finger. Point-up and east-west orientations also work in toi et moi and asymmetric designs.
- What is the difference between a pear and a marquise diamond?
- A pear shape has one rounded end and one point. A marquise has two pointed ends and a more symmetrical, elongated outline. Pear reads softer and more graceful, marquise reads sharper and more dramatic.
- Are pear shaped diamonds good for engagement rings?
- Yes. Pear shaped diamonds are durable enough for daily wear when the point is protected with a V-prong, bezel or halo, and they sit beautifully across solitaire, halo and three-stone engagement rings.
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