In 1926, a chambermaid bit into an apple and found a stolen 9.01-carat pink diamond. A century later, the Grand Condé is finally back in the spotlight.
A mixed assortment of elongated diamond cuts (Photographed by Mark Lim for The Diamond Collective)
Elongated Diamonds Go the Distance
From soft cushions to razor-sharp marquise cuts, these stretched-out shapes bring more presence, more personality, and plenty of sparkle.
Why do some diamonds just seem to go on forever? Elongated diamond cuts stretch lengthwise rather than forming a perfect square or circle, creating silhouettes that can make a stone look larger, lengthen and flatter the hand, and give jewelry a less expected, more distinctive point of view.
The category includes familiar favorites like the oval and marquise, along with less common shapes like the moval. And while these cuts are a perennial presence in engagement rings, they’re far too good to save for proposals. An elongated diamond can make a cocktail ring sing, bring elegance to an everyday band, or add serious attitude to a pair of earrings or a pendant.
The Elongated Cushion Cut Has Soft Power
The elongated cushion cut blends vintage romance with modern proportions. Traditional cushion cuts lean square, but the elongated version stretches the shape into a soft rectangle, keeping the pillowy curves while giving the stone a little more edge. Think classic cushion, just stretched into a completely different mood.
The vibe: Romantic. Lush. A little nostalgic.
The sparkle: Big, broad flashes.
The pairing: Let those soft proportions contrast with a sleek, minimal setting.
Elongated cushions stand out because their sparkle has its own rhythm. Their facets glow in broader flashes rather than the tight brilliance seen in round cuts, giving the diamond a warm and expressive personality. This is often described as a “chunky, vintage glow,” where larger facets create bold, romantic flashes of light instead of pinfire sparkle.
That combination of old-school sparkle and stretched-out proportions is exactly the appeal. Designers often favor elongated cushions for antique-inspired designs because the shape creates a luxurious look while maintaining a slightly vintage soul (as any Taylor Swift fan can tell you). If you want a diamond that feels both modern and timeless, the elongated cushion delivers an ideal balance.
The Marquise Cut Maxes Out on Drama
With its iconic pointed ends and slender silhouette, the marquise cut is one of the most dramatic elongated shapes ever created. Legend says King Louis XV commissioned the shape to mirror the lips of his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour, and the design has carried that sense of romance ever since.
With its pointed ends and slender silhouette, the [marquise cut] was never going to be the quiet one. Legend says King Louis XV commissioned the shape to mirror the lips of his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour, which tracks for a diamond this dramatic.
The marquise also knows how to work an optical illusion. Its elongated outline creates significant visual spread for its carat weight, while those pointed ends pull the eye along the entire length of the stone. The result is sharp, glamorous, and impossible to mistake for anything else.
The vibe: Dramatic. Fashion-forward. A little rebellious.
The sparkle: Bright flashes that travel tip to tip.
The pairing: Change the orientation.
A marquise set east-west is an instant style statement.
The Oval Cut Is the Effortless Icon
The oval diamond remains one of the most requested elongated shapes for engagement rings, and it’s easy to see why. Its clean curves combine the brilliance associated with a round diamond with a longer, softer silhouette. Thanks to its length and surface area, an oval can also appear larger than its carat weight might suggest
But the real appeal is how much range it has. Each oval can vary in width, length, and curvature, which gives the shape a degree of personalization not found in more standardized cuts. Whether set in a minimalist solitaire or a detailed vintage-inspired setting, oval diamonds create an effortlessly different look beloved by influencers and A-listers alike.
The vibe: Effortless. Polished. Adaptable
The sparkle: Bright, lively, brilliant.
The pairing: Keep it classic or flip the script.
The Moval Cut Is a Cult Favorite
The moval cut lives somewhere between a marquise and an oval—and that’s exactly the point. The shape stretches into gently rounded points at either end, giving it the length of a marquise without its sharply defined tips.
It’s the kind of diamond people notice even if they can’t immediately name it. This cut emphasizes length while keeping things soft and luminous, with a silhouette that feels distinctive without trying too hard. Because the moval is less common than other elongated cuts, there’s an under-the-radar quality to it that’s part of the appeal. And its hybrid shape has serious range: set it in something sleek and modern or lean into its vintage side. Either way, the moval holds its own.
The vibe: Under-the-radar. Sculptural. Distinctive.
The sparkle: Soft, luminous brilliance
The pairing: Don’t overstyle it.
Let the shape take center stage.
The Emerald Cut Keeps It Clean
The emerald cut stands apart in the world of elongated diamonds because it showcases clarity and structure rather than sparkle. Its step-cut facets create a hall-of-mirrors effect, producing long flashes of light rather than the rapid-fire brilliance of an oval or cushion. It’s graphic, architectural, and unapologetically clean.
Because emerald cuts reveal so much of the diamond’s interior, the stone has nowhere to hide, making high clarity and precise symmetry especially important. The elongated shape creates a sleek, lengthening effect on the finger, while those broad, linear facets give it a strong, architectural presence. Emerald cuts pair beautifully with solitaire settings, three-stone designs, and Art Deco–inspired styles. It can go minimal, lean old-school glamorous, or turn up the geometry—the clean lines are what make it unmistakable.
The vibe: Regal. Sophisticated. Refined.
The sparkle: Long flashes and mirror-like reflections
The pairing: Keep it clean with a solitaire setting or three-stone designs.
The Pear Cut Is Perfectly Unconventional
For anyone who wants a shape with a little romance and an unexpected edge, the pear-shaped diamond delivers. Combining the rounded curves of a brilliant cut with the tapered point of a marquise, its distinctive teardrop silhouette offers the best of both worlds.
Unlike more symmetrical cuts, the pear is known for its striking asymmetry and elegant, elongated proportions. Its brilliant-style faceting creates exceptional sparkle, while its tapered shape can make the stone appear larger than its carat weight suggests. The key is finding a beautifully balanced silhouette with graceful curves and a well-defined point.
And playing it safe isn’t really the assignment. Pears work in classic solitaires, unexpected east-west settings, and dramatic drop earrings alike. Wear the point facing up or down, or embrace an unconventional setting. This centuries-old cut has plenty of room for reinvention.
The vibe: Romantic. Unconventional. Dramatic. Main Character.
The sparkle: Brilliant sparkle and fire, with an elongated silhouette that makes every carat count.
The pairing: Let the shape do the talking. Minimalist solitaires highlight its curves, while east-west settings, bezels, and asymmetrical designs give this classic cut a modern edge.
One Shape Doesn’t Fit All
Elongated diamond cuts leave plenty of room to make it your own. Some lean soft and romantic, others sharp and architectural, while vintage-inspired shapes and high-sparkle cuts bring completely different energy to the hand. There’s a practical advantage, too: elongated diamonds can appear larger than their carat weight might suggest, while their length draws the eye along the finger. It’s a lot of diamond personality packed into one very flattering silhouette.
The Curious Case of the Grand Condé Diamond
The Woman Shaping the Future of Botswana’s Diamonds
How natural diamonds have shaped the life of Minister Kenewendo and the opportunities that diamonds hold for Botswana’s future.
Tshireletso Seoromeng Is Growing Something Extraordinary
She started at 22 with one crop of mint. Eight years later, Tshireletso Seoromeng's Erba Farm supplies 21 stores locations across Botswana, thanks in part to support from the diamond industry.
How Diamonds Transformed Life in Canada’s Northwest Territories
From new career opportunities to Indigenous-led conservation efforts, discover how diamonds have shaped the communities, economy, and future of Canada’s far north.
Get the Newsletter
Sign up for the latest diamond news, delivered directly to your inbox.