The pear shape diamond ring complements a hand with small or average length fingers. For a pear shaped diamond that is pleasing to the eye, consider these factors.
- A length-to-width ratio between 1.50 and 1.75, with even shoulders is optimum.
- High shoulders will decrease the value of the pear shaped diamond because instead of the diamond having a nice pleasing curve at the rounded end, it may be cut more like a triangle, thus creating what is called high shoulders.
- The relative position of the culet (the very bottom facet) should be centered under the widest part of the table.
- The angles on the rounded end should be maintained as closely as possible to the ideal 41 degrees, producing a shape that is largely circular on one end to provide the most brilliance.
The cut of the pear shaped diamond is based upon the traditional configuration of the round brilliant diamond and will usually contain the standard 58 facets. If the proportions creating brilliance are not cut precisely, an area in the center of the cut may appear darker. In the diamond trade, this defect is called a bow tie and can be seen with the unaided eye. A diamond cutter can remove a bow tie by adjusting the facets.
To learn more about determining the quality of a diamond, please read The Four C's of Diamonds.
One of the most famous diamonds in the world is the pear shaped, 69.42-carat, Cartier diamond. When Richard Burton purchased the stone for Elizabeth Taylor, he renamed the stone Taylor-Burton. In 1979, Taylor sold the pendant for 3 million, using the proceeds of the sale to build a hospital in Botswana.
A pear shaped diamond is beautiful as a solitaire or set with other stones in a creative setting. An example would be a large pear shape diamond flanked by two smaller pear shapes set horizontally. This setting creates a butterfly look with the stones mounted this way.
Choose a pear shaped diamond engagement ring that you feel you will love just as much on your 50th anniversary as you do on your wedding day.