Whether you're a sparkle enthusiast searching for the perfect pear shaped diamond jewelry, a soon-to-be engaged couple looking for a pear engagement ring, or both, you've come to the right place. In the dazzling world of diamonds — where the possibilities are as endless as the sparkle in your eyes — pear shaped diamonds are truly in a class of their own. This alluring diamond shape is both a historical wonder and a modern marvel, but not for the faint of heart when it comes to standing out in style.
One of the most unique diamond shapes on the market, there's no mistaking a pear diamond for any other diamond in the shape shop. And once on your finger (or your neck, or your ears...), a pear ring makes a major statement. But if you're not quite sure what to look for when you purchase a pear shaped diamond, or you just need a little more insider knowledge to convince you the pear shape is right for you, consider this your go-to companion on the journey to the perfect pear.
The Sparkling History of Pear Shape Diamonds
First things first, let's take a trip down memory lane. The pear shaped diamond, also known as the teardrop shape, has been turning heads for centuries. Originating in the 15th century, pear shaped diamonds were first crafted by a Flemish diamond polisher named Lodewyk van Bercken. Because of their elongated, asymmetrical shape, pear shaped diamonds have been a lasting favorite for pendants and earrings and, in a pear cut engagement ring, they are said to give the illusion of elongating the finger. No matter how they are worn, today pear shaped diamonds remain a timeless and elegant choice for those who appreciate a touch of vintage charm with a modern twist.
Show off the clean lines of your Pear shaped diamond with a chic bezel setting
What Does a Pear Shape Look Like? Spoiler: Curves Ahead
We all know the classic round brilliant cut diamond, which doesn't need much explanation. And then we have a marquise diamond, which looks like a football or little boat with two pointed ends. Picture this: a perfect combination of the classic round brilliant and the romantic marquise cut. The result? A unique and eye-catching teardrop shaped diamond, or pear shaped diamond, that exudes sophistication. The ultimate best of both worlds. Like the teardrop shape they are known for, pear shaped diamonds feature a rounded bottom and a pointed top, creating a silhouette that's as distinctive as it is captivating. It's the kind of diamond that steals the show without even trying
.Craving more minimalism than a standard bezel setting for your pear shaped diamond ring? Explore our Half Bezel collection
Pear-fect Proportions
Now that you understand this unique shape and its outline, we need to cover proportions, which is a bit trickier. See, for centuries folks have been disagreeing on what exactly the ideal proportions are for a pear shaped diamond. Cutting a stone in this shape is a wide open canvas for any diamond polisher, which yields a wide array of length-to-width ratios as well as differences in the curves and symmetry of the overall shape.
Most of the market will agree on the range of 1.40-1.70 length-to-width ratio as "ideal," but this still leaves quite a spectrum for personal preference. The smaller the ratio, the squatter and the more round the pear shape will be, while a larger ratio means you'll have a more elongated shape for your engagement ring. Since, like all fancy shaped diamonds, pear shaped diamonds do not have industry standard cut grades, you'll need to decide what you like. Hint, hint: you want the highest polish and symmetry grades you can find. Why? Well, you want the curves of your pear cut diamond to be nice and even, the base to be perfectly round, and the facets to all look aligned. This will give you a gorgeous diamond engagement ring with lots of sparkle and shine.
The Dreaded Bow Tie
Perhaps you've heard rumor of the infamous diamond bow tie. It may sound like a snazzy accessory, but in the world of diamonds, it's a term that refers to a specific optical phenomenon wherein a dark, bow tie-shaped shadow can appear through the horizontal center of certain diamond shapes (particularly elongated shapes like the pear, marquise, and oval).
No need to imagine a tiny bow tie on your diamond; it's all about the way light interacts with the stone. The effect occurs when light that enters the diamond reflects off the pavilion facets and escapes through the crown facets, creating a dark area resembling, you guessed it, a bow tie.
Now, while a faint bow tie might not be the end of the world, an overly prominent one can impact the overall brilliance and beauty of the diamond. When shopping for a diamond, especially in shapes prone to the bow tie effect, like pears, it's crucial to inspect the stone from various angles and lighting conditions to ensure that any bow tie is minimal and doesn't overshadow the diamond's sparkle.
The 4Cs of Pear Shaped Diamonds
Now, let's get down to the nitty-gritty — the 4Cs. This is really what you came for, right? Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight are the pillars that determine the quality and value of any diamond, including the illustrious pear shape. But there can be differences in what to prioritize based on the diamond shape you shop. So let's break it down:
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Cut:
When it comes to pear diamonds or any other diamond shape, the cut is absolutely crucial. This is because how well a diamond is cut makes the most impact on a diamond's sparkle. So much so, in fact, that an excellent cut can help make a diamond appear larger than another poorly cut diamond of the same size. It can also help hide the appearance of lower body color or clarity inclusions. This means if you go high on cut grade, you might be able to save a bit of money on color and clarity.This applies specifically to brilliant cut diamonds, which a pear shape is. Ultimately, excellent polish, symmetry, and proportions will maximize your pear shaped diamond's brilliance. You want to aim for a cut that maximizes the stone's brilliance and minimizes any potential bow-tie effect. A well-cut pear diamond should shine from every angle, just like your love story.
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Color:
If your dream pear cut engagement ring is crystal clear and bright white, you'll want to shop in the D-F color grades for sure. But some people prefer a bit warmer diamond, so go as low as the I-J color grade (or lower in the champagne hues). It's really all about personal preference. One thing to keep in mind for the pear shape is that diamonds above 1 carat tend to hold a bit more visible color in their pointed end, so the larger the diamond you shop, the higher you might want to go in color if you don't want to see any. -
Clarity:
Some folks want a completely flawless pear cut diamond, while others want to save a little cash on something they'll never see. Flawless diamonds, with absolutely no inclusions, are exceedingly rare and priced to match (i.e. very expensive). But as with most other brilliant cut diamonds, we recommend purchasing something that is simply "eye clean", which means there might be inclusions but they are not noticeable to the untrained, unaided eye.Inclusions are not inherently bad, and brilliant facets help to disguise them by breaking up the light into all that beautiful sparkle. Embracing the uniqueness of a diamond's imperfections will be more budget-friendly and still give you a gorgeous pear shaped diamond engagement ring that shines bright on your big day (and every day)!
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Carat Weight:
Size matters to some, and that's ok. But it's good to remember that carat weight is simply a measurement of a diamond's physical weight, not its actual visual size. A poorly cut diamond that is too deep or too shallow may appear bigger or smaller in size and less brilliant — like a big dull rock on your ring finger. On the other hand, paying for a well cut pear shaped diamond in a slightly lower carat weight will give you unmatched brilliance that can make your diamond look larger than its weight.While carat weight is a factor, don't let it overshadow the other Cs. Plus, a pear diamond with a slightly smaller carat weight can appear larger due to its elongated shape. It's all about finding that perfect balance between size and sparkle for your dream engagement ring.
The Style Factor: Pear Cut Engagement Rings
With all of that pear shaped diamond knowledge in your pocket, it's finally time to talk about the perfect showcase for your pear-shaped beauty — an engagement ring. Teardrop engagement rings should always make the most of showing off this unique shape, whether your perfect ring is a standalone solitaire, features other gemstones and diamonds, or rocks unique textures and metal details. From vintage to classic to contemporary, there's a style for every taste.
One thing to keep in mind is the security of your pear shaped engagement ring, as this diamond shape does have unique features. Because of the pear diamond's asymmetrical shape and pointed end, you want to ensure that it has adequate and well-placed metal coverage in your setting. A pear shaped engagement ring should always have evenly spaced prongs. One placed over the point adds extra security to avoid chipping during normal wear.
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Solitaire Elegance
Keep it timeless with a solitaire pear shaped engagement ring setting that lets your pear diamond take center stage. This minimalist approach ensures that all eyes are on the main attraction – your dazzling rock. A thin band and dainty, but secure, prongs ensure that your pear shaped diamond stands out.
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Modern Chic
You can also opt for a bezel set diamond solitaire engagement ring, which surrounds your pear shaped diamond with a thin edge of metal all the way around. This style of setting is very secure and gives your ring a clean, contemporary look. Meanwhile, a half-bezel pear engagement ring marries the two styles, with a v-shaped prong at the pointed end and a semi-bezel at the rounded base. This gives you the best of both security and style, with a light, airy appeal.
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Halo Glamour
If you're looking for pear shaped engagement rings with a bit more drama, a halo diamond setting can give you just that. A halo setting encircles your pear shaped diamond with a ring of tiny (usually round) diamonds, adding brilliance and visual size to your engagement ring setting. A hidden halo, on the other hand, encircles the base of the basket setting with diamonds that are seen only from the sides, like a little bit of secret sparkle for your pear shaped diamond rings.
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Three Stone Stunners
Why settle for one pear shaped diamond when you can have three? A three-stone engagement ring setting that features graduated-size pear diamonds will seriously make a statement. If you prefer a more classic three-stone style engagement ring, we've got that too. This one features a pear shaped diamond center flanked by two smaller, horizontally set pear diamonds, one on either shoulder of the band. This is a timeless look that you truly can't go wrong with.
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Vintage Vibes
Some folks say pear cut engagement rings are outdated, but we dare to disagree. The pear shaped diamond is making modern statements for everyday folks as well as celebrities aplenty. But if you want to channel your inner romantic with a vintage-inspired setting, there are lots of options. Try intricate details and floral influence for something that works perfectly well with the timeless charm of a pear shaped diamond.
A Two Tone Thin & Simple engagement ring with a 2 carat pear shape diamond
Feeling bold? Consider a Three Stone Pear shaped engagement ring like the GOODSTONE Triad Three Stone engagement ring
Pear Shaped Diamond Bands
Creating a perfect fit between your engagement ring and wedding band, or shopping for a standalone or stacking pear shaped diamond ring is another way to wear the pear. For instance, you can shop for a pear shaped ring with diamonds set simply along the top, an excellent choice for wearing with your engagement ring in a perfect ring stack. Or go for an eternity band style with diamonds that encircle your entire finger.
We also love an on-trend chunky gold ring set with a pear shaped diamond in its surface. Stones set low like this offer a low-profile look that doesn't catch or snag on your favorite sweater. And a pear shaped diamond offers a unique look. Not a big fan of gold? No problem. We can create this, or any, ring style and ring size in any metal you prefer, whether that's yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, or even platinum. The pear will be an excellent choice for any!
Teardrop diamonds aren't just for engagement rings - they look fabulous as alternative wedding bands too like the GOODSTONE Midi Bezel Set Eternity band with Pear Cuts or Claw Set Eternity Band With Pear Diamonds
Pear Shaped Diamond Jewelry
As we said up top, there are also plenty of other ways to wear a beautiful pear shaped diamond besides in a pear engagement ring. This brilliant elongated shape offers so much beauty in both stunning pear shaped diamond earrings and pear shaped diamond necklaces as well. A classic pair of pear cut diamond stud earrings make a stunning choice for any earlobe. Or go all out with a pear shaped diamond choker necklace. This eternity style surrounds your entire neck with brilliance.
Not for the faint of heart - our choker necklace features enough teardrop shape diamonds to fill any jewelry box to the brim
The Price Tag: Pear-fection on a Budget
Last but certainly not least, we have to address the million-dollar question, or should I say, the engagement-ring-budget question. Fear not, frugal friends, for pear shaped diamonds can be surprisingly budget-friendly. Their elongated shape often gives the illusion of a larger diamond, allowing you to shine bright without breaking the bank.
In conclusion, whether you're the proposer or the proposee, finding your perfect pear shaped diamond is like a sign you've found the missing piece to your love story puzzle. It's unique, it's timeless, and it's a symbol of your extraordinary journey together.
Armed with the knowledge to choose the pear-fect ring that speaks to your heart, search our pear shaped diamond collections to explore this popular engagement ring choice and celebrate a lifetime of sparkle.
A pear shaped engagement ring with double claw prongs
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