When searching for engagement rings, you will usually have a range of different shapes, sizes, and cuts of diamond to choose from. More common circular, ovular, or rectangular-shaped diamonds are certainly popular, and with good reason. But if you’re looking for something unique, pear shaped diamond engagement rings are a great option. They have a timeless elegance that will never go out of style.
This particular diamond cut, which is also sometimes called a teardrop engagement ring, brings its own unique charms to your engagement, wedding, or general style. Read on to learn more about these beautiful diamond rings, their pros and cons, and how you can find one for your own engagement.
1. Understand The Basics of Pear Shaped Engagement Rings
For those looking for such a trait, a pear shaped diamond comes in a unique shape that brings its own particular character to your engagement ring. As its name suggests, a pear shaped diamond comes in a “pear” or “teardrop” shape. One side is broad and rounded out, while the other narrows to a sharper point. This creates the effect of a falling raindrop, a teardrop, or a pear.
Though never the most popular cut of diamond, this particular shape has been around for some time. In fact, historical records of the diamond trade indicate that pear shaped diamonds have existed since at least the 1400s!
Of course, for most instances of its usage, pear shaped diamonds are more likely to be used in jewelry like necklaces, brooches, and bracelets, given the way that their pear-shape lends itself more towards a vertical effect. It is more rare to see pear shaped diamonds used in rings. However, in recent years, increasing numbers of young couples are choosing pear shaped diamonds for their engagement rings.
In fact, one of the benefits of pear shaped diamonds for engagement rings is that these cuts tend to come in a larger range of shapes and sizes than more traditional cuts. While other cuts tend to have very particular specifications that may limit their variation, pear shaped diamonds can come in many different shapes, symmetries, purities, and cuts. This means that you will have a much greater variety of pear shaped engagement rings to choose from if you decide to go this route.
However, it also means that the chances of getting an inferior-quality diamond are greater than those of more conventional cuts. Therefore, you should make sure that you have a good understanding of the pros and cons of pear shaped diamond rings before making your purchase, and take care that you are buying your ring from a reliable, experienced jeweler.
2. You Could Pay Less for More Diamond
For most people shopping for a pear shaped engagement ring, the most pressing consideration will be the cost. In the case of pear shaped engagement rings, diamonds of one carat or less will usually be within a moderate budget while not losing the sparkle and beauty that may have drawn you to pear shaped diamonds in the first place.
Pear shaped diamonds tend to be less expensive than other kinds of cuts. In fact, gem experts estimate that pear shaped diamond rings, on average, cost around 10% to 30% less than a round or rectangular diamond ring of the same quality!
What’s more, this cost does not come at the expense of the diamond itself. Thanks to its unique shape, a pear shaped diamond engagement ring seems larger than round or rectangular diamonds. In fact, a well-cut pear shaped diamond will usually have a top surface that is around 8% larger than a circular diamond of a similar size! So, if you end up buying a pear shaped engagement ring from a reputable jeweler, you will most likely end up paying less for more diamond!
And this is to say nothing of perhaps the main benefit of pear shaped engagement rings: style. As you’ve previously seen, the pear or teardrop shape does not appear in rings as often as it does in necklaces and other types of jewelry. Therefore, if you choose a pear shaped engagement ring for your fiancé, he or she will end up with a beautiful gem that also stands out from most other, similar types of engagement rings. Plus, you will get this benefit for less cost!
3. Consider the Drawbacks of Pear Shaped Diamond Rings
Of course, as with all diamonds of this kind, pear shaped engagement rings do come with some drawbacks. One of the biggest “cons” of pear shaped engagement rings is their fragility. The cut’s unique teardrop shape is certainly beautiful to look at, but unfortunately the sharper end also tends to be more fragile and easily chipped than the broader, firmer sides of circular or rectangular diamonds.
Of course, the proper setting of the diamond can do a lot to prevent chipping and potential damage. But setting quality can vary greatly between jewelers of different levels of care and experience, and even with well-set pear shaped diamonds, the risk of damage is always there.
Another notable drawback of pear shaped diamond rings is that well-cut pear shaped diamonds can be somewhat hard to find. This is because most gem laboratories don’t actually assign quality grades to “fancy” diamond cuts like the pear shape. Therefore, if you do wish to purchase a pear shaped engagement ring, you will likely need to do more work on your end inspecting the diamond’s shape and sparkle to ensure that you are buying a high-quality pear shaped engagement ring.
Finally, the unique shape of a pear cut diamond that makes it such an interesting conversation piece can also be a drawback as well.
Depending upon the cut and how it is worn, pear shaped diamond rings can sometimes appear asymmetrical or lopsided. While the diamond will of course still be beautiful and still possess a vibrant sparkle, the wearer might have to take greater care to hold the diamond up at the correct angle in order to maximize its visual effect.
4. Look Closely at the 4C’s Before You Buy
When shopping for pear shaped engagement rings, as with any other gemstone, it’s a good idea to look closely at the four “4Cs”: carat, color, clarity, and cut.
You’ve already seen that diamonds of one carat or less will usually be less expensive, but still visually dazzling. That said, if you have the budget, a pear shaped diamond ring of a larger carat mass may stand out even further.
In relation to color, one of the additional benefits of pear shaped engagement rings is that they tend to showcase it more fully than diamond rings of different cuts. However, this does mean that you should look for pear shaped diamond rings of a higher color grade to ensure that you are getting the best coloration for your money. You should also think about what kind of metal will be making up the ring itself, as the color of the metal can enhance or diminish the color of the diamond itself, depending upon the contrast.
When looking at the clarity of your pear shaped diamond, you will usually be okay with buying a ring of a lower clarity level. This is because pear shaped diamonds tend to be better at hiding inclusions than diamonds of other shapes. Still, it’s a good idea to get a full read of the clarity level of a pear shaped engagement ring before buying it.
Finally, when looking at the cut of a pear shaped diamond ring, you should make sure to examine characteristics like the symmetry of the cut, the number of facets, and the proportions between the broad end and the pointy end. You should also look for the diamond’s “bow-tie effect,” or the darker area at the center of the diamond that resembles the shape of a bow tie.
Well-cut pear shaped diamonds should have a lessened bow-tie effect than diamonds of other shapes, so be sure that all pear shaped engagement rings that you look at don’t display a bow tie too obviously.
5. Symmetry Matters—Know What to Look For
Another thing that you should look out for is the symmetry of the particular cut of a pear shaped diamond in a ring setting.
A well-cut pear shaped diamond should be symmetrical down one side, running from the tip of its pointed end through the middle, and to the end of its rounded side. Many jewelers will display pear shaped diamond rings at an angle that may slightly obscure their symmetry. Therefore, before making a final purchase, be sure to look at any pear shaped diamond ring from all possible angles.
This will help you ensure that you will be getting the necessary symmetry that will really make your diamond ring stand out.
Finally, it’s a good idea to think about how you want to wear a pear shaped engagement ring, and how this may affect the symmetry of its appearance. Since pear shaped diamonds, unlike many circular or square-shaped diamonds, are only symmetrical down one side, how you or your partner will wear the ring may affect how symmetrical it appears to most casual observers.
Therefore, it’s a good idea to make sure that the diamond’s symmetry holds up from the angle you would like to wear it.
6. Understand the Length-to-Width Ratios
Pear shaped diamond engagement rings can come in a variety of different length-to-width ratios, depending upon the particular shape and the diamond’s carat mass. A pear shaped diamond ring with a small carat mass of around 0.13 might only measure around 3 by 2 mm. At the other end of the spectrum, a pear shaped diamond with a relatively large carat mass of 3.00 will probably measure around 12 by 8 mm. On average, a moderately-sized (and priced) pear shaped diamond ring of around 1 carat will likely have a length to width ratio of around 7.7 by 5.7 mm.
7. Pear Shaped Engagement Rings Can Come in A Variety of Colors
Pear shaped engagement rings tend to highlight whichever color they come in, so you are unlikely to go wrong regardless of the color you choose. That said, gem experts do believe that some colors are better than others for pear shaped diamonds, especially when taking the band itself into consideration.
Most pear shaped engagement rings are set in a gold or platinum band, which will come with a gold, silver, or white coloration.
For these kinds of bands, gem experts recommend buying a pear shaped diamond with an H coloration. Rose or yellow gold bands, on the other hand, tend to go better with pear shaped diamonds of a J coloration. G coloration also goes well with light yellow or silver ring bands. Finally, if you are buying a pear shaped diamond ring that is set with additional gemstones to the sides, make sure that the color of the pear shaped diamond goes well with the colors of the additional gems.
8. Know The Best Settings for Pear Shaped Diamonds
Pear shaped diamonds tend to work well in a number of different settings when used in rings. However, due to the diamond’s unique shape, the orientation will matter a bit more in terms of maximizing its visual beauty.
In general, pear shaped engagement rings traditionally come in a north-south or east-west orientation. However, some jewelers like to set pear shaped diamonds somewhat off-angle using more experimental and daring bezel settings.
9. There is Proper Care Needed for Pear Shaped Diamond Rings
In many respects, care for pear shaped engagement rings is similar to proper care for any other diamond. However, given this diamond’s unique shape, you should take a few extra precautions. As previously mentioned, pear shaped diamond rings are more susceptible to damage and chipping, especially at their pointier end.
You should therefore take more ensure that this more fragile end is kept away from potential hazards. You should, for example, always remove the ring when exercising or engaging in strenuous activity (such as lifting heavy objects or rearranging furniture).
Gem experts recommend cleaning your pear shaped engagement ring with a soft toothbrush and using a mixture of baking soda and apple cider vinegar as a cleaning solution. Or stop into your jeweler for a professional cleaning. This will help keep your pear shaped diamond ring free of blemishes, and ensure that its famous sparkle does not get diminished by dirt and dust.
Finally, you should also regularly check the security of the setting of the diamond in the actual ring. As with other types of diamond rings, the setting of the diamond can become loose over time, potentially leading to the diamond falling out and getting lost. Therefore, it’s a good idea to occasionally check that your pear shaped diamond’s setting is secure.
10. A Quality Jeweler Can Help You Find the Right Ring
Given their recent increase in popularity, pear shaped engagement rings should be available from most reputable jewelers and diamond sellers. When shopping for pear shaped engagement rings, you will likely have a greater variety of shapes and specific sizes than you would when shopping for more traditional cuts of diamond.
Your jeweler should be able to show you pear shaped engagement rings of many different cuts, carat masses, colors, and clarity levels. They should also display the diamond at different angles, so that you can see what it will look like when worn in different orientations.
Quality jewelers should offer pear shaped engagement rings with several different settings and types of precious metals for the ring itself. This will allow you to see the different types of contrasts between the colors of the diamond itself and the colors of the ring that it is set in.
At Brinker’s Jewelers, you will get upfront information about the total cost of your preferred pear shaped diamond ring, including how the carat mass, the cutting technique, and the ring itself factor into it. Additionally, with any ring purchase at Brinker’s, you receive a free “Spa Day” once a year, to have your ring professionally cleaned, boughed, and to have the stones checked.
Get in Touch with Brinker’s Jewelers to Find the Best Pear shaped Engagement Ring for You!
Pear shaped engagement rings come with many advantages over more traditional diamond cuts. For most people that are shopping for engagement rings on a budget, the best benefit of a pear shaped engagement ring is the cost. Going through the right jeweler can ensure that you’re looking into all the possible considerations and making the right decisions for your purchase.
Brinker’s Jewelers is an internationally-renowned source for the world’s best jewelry, gemstones, and watches. Since 1972, Brinker’s has served as an authoritative and trusted source for some of the highest quality jewelry in the world.
Today, Brinker’s boasts a dedicated team of jewelry experts, experienced buyers, appraisers, watchmakers, gemologists, repair specialists, and designers, all of whom can assist you through every aspect of the buying process. If you think that a pear shaped diamond engagement ring is the best choice for you, get in touch with Brinker’s Jewelers and find the best pear shaped diamond ring today!
