On the hunt for the very best pear shaped engagement ring? We got you. So, how do you get the best Pear cut? By knowing what to look for! And definitely by knowing what mistakes to avoid. And most of them aren’t on the GIA report. Read on to learn how to spot problems in Pears to make sure you get the best and only the best!

What is a pear cut diamond?

A pear cut diamond is shaped like a raindrop! Pear cut diamonds have a rounded bottom and a pointy tip. Some Pear cuts are soft and plump, whereas other Pear cuts are long and pointy! Being a “fancy” cut diamond, there is a large variety in cut style when comparing Pears.

Fun fact: Feeling French? You can call your Pear shaped diamond engagement ring a Pendaloque cut!

Pear diamond in infinity engagement ring

Do pear diamonds have a cut grade?

GIA does NOT provide cut grades for fancy shapes like Pears, so, Pear cuts can be kind of tricky. However, there are certain parameters that most of the jewelry industry agrees upon. These guidelines include a depth of no more than 62%, a table of no more than 62%, and no culet.

Are pear shaped diamonds good?

Pear shaped diamonds sparkle a lot – and they’re rare! About only 4% of diamonds on the market today are Pear shaped. This makes choosing a Pear cut a unique choice! A cross between a Round and a Marquise, the Pear is the best of both worlds. You get the max brilliance of a Round, while getting the bigger look and elegance of the Marquise!

Do pear diamonds sparkle?

Yes! Pear diamonds are “brilliant” cut diamonds, meaning they have triangular and kite shaped facets all over the place. That means they sparkle like crazy! Because the bottom of a Pear is designed like a Round (the shape with the most sparkle) Pears get a huge boost of brilliance sparkle.

Rose gold pear ring with custom band

How do I choose a pear shaped diamond?

Choosing the best pear shaped engagement ring means finding a diamond with even brilliance/contrast, even color, no dark bowtie, no odd reflections, and a soft and pleasing shape! To do this, you’ll want to avoid some very common mistakes. Pear cut diamonds are not graded for cut by GIA, so it’s important to learn some tips and tricks before you go shopping! Here are the most frequent issues we see with pear shaped diamonds, so you can avoid them!

Mistake #1: Washed Out Stones

In order for your pear shaped engagement ring to have sparkle, it needs to have some contrast! What is “contrast”? Contrast is the dark background you need for your white and rainbow sparkle to pop! Yes, you read that correctly, you actually want some dark areas in your diamond. The easiest way to think about contrast is by thinking about photography. Let’s say you want to take a picture of a white flower. If you put the white flower on a white background, do you get to see the beautiful bright detail of the white petals? Not in the slightest. However, if you put the white flower against a dark backdrop – all the beautiful shades of white stand out brilliantly.

In a diamond, you want to have evenly spaced contrast (dark areas) and brilliance (white areas) throughout the whole stone. Diamonds without enough contrast look washed out (sometimes called “dead”). On the other hand, stones with too much contrast look too dark. So, striking that perfect balance between dark and light is what you’re going for. Check it out:

Washed out pear cut vs sparkly pear diamond side by side

(Left) washed out pear vs evenly spaced contrast (right)

Mistake #2: Bowties in Pear Shaped Engagement Rings

But you don’t want concentrated, ugly dark globs of contrast out there looking like a “bowtie”. Likewise, you don’t want watery areas without sparkle! So, be out on the lookout for bowties. Bowties occur when the angles of a diamond are pitched in a way that make large triangular shadows appear and block out sparkle. That’s not pretty. And, unfortunately, bowties are not listed on GIA reports. Luckily! Bowties are pretty easy to spot, when you know what you’re looking for. Here’s how:

Pear diamond bowtie examples side by side

Mistake #3: Colored Tips

Diamond color can be concentrated in pear shaped engagement rings – make sure your stone doesn’t have an oddly colored tip. Because of the way a pear shaped diamond’s faceting changes towards its tip, you can sometimes see more yellow/brown. That’s not a great look. So, when looking at a diamond’s color, make sure to take it in as a whole and compare! Is the center the same color as its tip? Or, does the tip look yellowy? Make sure to avoid dark tips.

Pear diamond color concentration examples side by side

Mistake #4: Odd Reflections in Pear Shaped Engagement Rings

Pears with improper angles can show “fisheyes” or other odd reflections – these lower a diamond’s value and beauty. And, you want your diamond’s sparkle to be the main show – not confusing reflections. So, when looking for your perfect pear, beware of add shattered glass looking inclusions or weird halo looking inclusions. These kinds of reflections mean a diamond was not cut well and will not sparkle as much. Check it out:

Pear diamond fisheye and reflections examples side by side

Mistake #5: Blocky Outlines

Pear shaped diamonds are meant to be soft and rounded at their base, however, some cutters try to retain weight by making bases blocky. Blocky pears do not retain the grace – nor the sparkle – that softer pears do. This is because a blocky bottom does not reflect light as well as a rounded one. So, make sure that you consider the outline of your pear before choosing! The bottom of your pear should be soft and rounded. And, the point of you pear should be gradual. Look for odd angles or extra weight – and reject those stones!

Soft pear diamond vs blocky pear diamond side by side comparison

Mistake #6: Not Considering Length-Width Ratio

Finally, when looking for the best pear shaped engagement ring, make sure you know if she wants a plump pear or an elongated pear! A diamond’s length to width ratio means how wide or skinny it is. Some people prefer a nice long skinny pear (very elegant!), whereas others love a nice plump pear! There is no “right” length-to-width ratio. It’s personal preference. But these ratios give a very different look! So, make sure to find out what style of pear she’s going for.

Pear diamond length to width ratio side by side

Should I get a pear cut diamond?

If you want an elegant shape that’s a bit more unique than the rest, a pear shaped engagement ring is perfect for you! Pears give great sparkle, look larger than rounds of the same size, and are more rare than many other shapes. They’re a beautiful engagement ring choice!

What does a pear shaped diamond symbolize?

Pear shaped diamonds are romantic and symbolize tears of joy. As a result, they make the perfect choice for brides who love rom coms and feeling all the feelings. I’ve also set pear shaped diamonds into rings for nature lovers as a result of the pear cut’s similar shape to leaves!

Are pear shaped engagement rings popular?

Yes! Pear cuts have seen a surge in popularity over the past several years. However, they still remain a fairly rare shape to choose. Some famous pear shaped engagement wearers include Anna Kournikova, Victoria Beckham, Katherine Heigl, and Khloe Kardashian.

Is a pear shaped diamond cheaper?

Yes! Pear cuts are less expensive than rounds of similar quality. This means you get more bang for your buck!  Together with the fact that pear shapes look larger than rounds of similar weight, this means max value.

Which direction do you wear a pear shaped ring?

You can wear your pear shape any direction you choose, however, the most popular direction is as a raindrop. However, newer avant garde styles have seen them flipped on their points, or even set askew. Pears give you a great opportunity to show off your unique personality!

Ring with an askew pear cut and princess cut

Can you help me choose a pear shaped engagement ring?

Of course! I love pear cuts – I find them romantic and unexpected! Drop us a line here, or send me (Corinne, the gemologist) an email at care@doamore.com! I’d be happy to run a custom diamond search for you to get you the best pear shaped diamond ever!