Pear shaped diamonds are elegant, stunning, and utterly unique. This diamond shape is ideal for those who want something beautiful, yet a bit unexpected. But how do you know which pear-shaped diamond is the best for you?
In this post, we’re covering everything you need to know before buying a pear-shaped diamond to help you pick the one you’ll adore. We’ll talk about what a pear-shaped diamond is, the anatomy of the pear-shaped diamond, the 4Cs of pear-shaped diamonds, special considerations to keep in mind for pear-shaped diamonds, and how to wear your pear-shaped diamond.
Know Your Cut: What is a Pear Shaped Diamond?
Before you buy any diamond, you should know what you’re buying. So, with that said, let’s take a closer look at what a pear-shaped diamond is.
Pear shaped diamonds are named for their shape. When viewed from above, they look like a pear. For this same reason, pear-shaped diamonds are also sometimes called teardrop diamonds.
Pear-shaped diamonds have a modified version of the brilliant cut, which is a cut designed to maximize brilliance (meaning, sparkle). On the wider, rounded end of a pear-shaped diamond, it’s cut like a round brilliant diamond. And on its narrowed, pointed end, pear-shaped diamonds are cut like marquise diamonds.
The Anatomy of Pear Shaped Diamonds
There are five regions of a pear-shaped diamond. From the rounded edge to the pointed tip, they are:
The Head: The pear-shaped diamond’s round end.
The Shoulder: The rounded, curving section that leads from the head to the belly.
The Belly: The center of a pear-shaped diamond, where it begins to narrow.
The Wing: The area that comes closely together to meet the tip.
The Point: The pear-shaped diamond’s pointed tip.
How to Buy a Pear-Shaped Diamond?
Now that you know all about what a pear-shaped diamond is, let’s talk about what to look for when buying a pear-shaped diamond. First, we’ll briefly go over the 4Cs of pear-shaped diamonds, then we’ll talk about special considerations to keep in mind when buying a pear-shaped diamond.
Considering the 4Cs
It’s important to understand the 4Cs (color, cut, clarity, and carat) when buying any diamond, including a pear-shaped diamond.
Color: A grading of how white a diamond is.
Cut: A grading of how well a diamond was cut.
Clarity: A grading of how flawless a diamond is.
Carat: A weight measurement that can give you an indication of a diamond’s size.
For the carat and cut of a pear-shaped diamond, you’ll want to think of these the same way you would with any shape. Cut is always extremely important and carat is a matter of personal preference (or budget). For color, know that pear-shaped diamonds tend to show a bit more color than other diamond shapes so you may want to go with a higher color grading (such as a G or higher). For clarity, know that the brilliant cut of pear-shaped diamonds tends to hide flaws better than other shapes, so you can often get away with choosing a slightly lower clarity grading (as low as VS2 for pears under a carat or VVS2 for pears over one carat) and still have no flaws visible to the naked eye.
Special Considerations for Pear Shaped Diamonds
Symmetry
Symmetry is incredibly important for pear-shaped diamonds. To determine the symmetry of a pear-shaped diamond, picture the top of the diamond, then picture an imaginary vertical line going down its center. If it’s perfectly symmetrical, the shapes on each side of the line will perfectly mirror one another.
A lack of symmetry in a pear-shaped diamond is very noticeable. If a pear-shaped diamond isn’t symmetrical, it will look wonky or “off.”
For pear-shaped diamonds, always prioritize symmetry and select a pear-shaped diamond with Excellent or Very Good symmetry.
Proportions: Length to Width Ratio
Next up, let’s talk about pear-shaped diamond proportions. Unlike with symmetry, there’s really no one best length to width ratio, which is what determines a pear-shaped diamond’s proportions. This aspect of a pear-shaped diamond is more a matter of personal taste.
Pear-shaped diamonds can be longer and more thin, or shorter and wider. The higher the length to width ratio, the longer and slimmer it will be. Most people prefer pear-shaped diamonds with the “classic” pear-shaped silhouette, which comes from having a ratio between 1.5 and 1.75. However, the ratio you want for your pear-shaped diamond is completely up to you.
The “Bow-Tie” Effect
Pear-shaped diamonds always have something called the “bow-tie” effect, which is a darkened area in the center of the diamond that has a bow-tie shape. However, how well this bow tie can be seen is highly variable. Sometimes it’s almost invisible and sometimes it’s very obvious.
Generally, people don’t like a prominent bow-tie on a pear-shaped diamond and most people try to avoid them. But, luckily, bow-ties are very easy to spot. To avoid a bow-tie, just look for an expertly cut pear-shaped diamond that has a minimal bow-tie effect (which is easily seen just from looking at a diamond).
How to Wear a Pear: Choosing Jewelry and Settings for Pear Shaped Diamonds
Finally, let’s talk about how to wear a pear!
First, let’s cover a commonly asked question for pear-shaped diamond engagement rings: which way should the point face in a pear-shaped engagement ring? The most traditional way to wear a pear-shaped diamond engagement ring is to position it with its point facing outward toward the fingertips. However, this tradition doesn’t have to be followed. If you like the look of having your pear-shaped diamond point in toward your wrist, you can wear it that way too.
As far as pear-shaped jewelry, pear diamonds look beautiful in so many different kinds of jewelry. They add a unique look to the most simple of designs and can create incredible intricacy in more detailed designs. Pear-shaped diamonds look gorgeous in earrings, necklaces, engagement rings, and bracelets.
When selecting a setting for your pear-shaped diamond, remember that pear-shaped diamonds do have a delicate, pointed tip, which you will want to protect (you’ll also want to protect your clothing— an exposed diamond tip can snag threads). There are many different types of settings that can protect a pear shape. When you look at a piece’s setting, look to see if it has a V-shaped prong for your diamond’s tip or any other type of prongs that would cradle your pear-shaped diamond’s tip and keep it protected. Many types of settings work for this, including halo settings and bezel settings, which will fully surround your diamond.