Pear Cut Diamond Guide

Few diamond shapes are as unique or historic as Pear cut diamonds. Pears have a shape true to their name, known for their striking yet romantic look and versatility. Pear cut engagement rings with lab-grown diamonds always make a statement with their coveted brilliance and elongated silhouette.

In this article, we cover everything you need to know about Pear cut diamonds, with expert advice from Queena Chang, GIA Graduate Gemologist and Diamond Expert.

Book an appointment today to learn more about pear cut VRAI created diamonds.

What Is the Pear Cut?

Pear cut diamonds have an elongated shape with a soft rounded edge and a sharp point. Pear cuts have 58 brilliant facets, which gives this cut maximum shine.

Pears are also called Teardrop diamonds, thanks to their tearlike resemblance. Both terms are commonly used to reference this diamond shape.

History of the Pear Cut

Pear cut diamonds are one of the oldest diamond cuts. The Pear cut was created by Lodewyk Van Bercken, a Flemish diamond polisher, in 1475. Van Bercken invented a diamond polishing wheel that made more complex brilliant cuts possible. This led to his creation of the timeless, asymmetrical Pear cut diamond.

Famous Pear Cut Diamonds

Pear cut diamonds have been chosen by many celebrities over the years, with numerous famous Pear cut diamonds throughout history.

Some of today’s major celebrities who have Pear-shaped engagement rings include Victoria Beckham’s 17-carat Pear diamond ring, Cardi B’s 8-carat Pear, Emily Ratajkowski’s custom Pear and Princess Toi-et-moi ring, Margot Robbie's 1.5-carat Pear, and Ariana Grande’s Halo Pear engagement ring.

The most famous Pear cut diamond of all time, however, belongs to Elizabeth Taylor. Named The Taylor-Burton Diamond after its owners, Richard Burton gifted his wife Elizabeth Taylor with a 69.42-carat Pear cut diamond ring in 1969. She later had it famously re-set in a necklace, as it was simply too heavy to wear as a ring.

Other notably famous Pear cut diamonds include The Great Star of Africa (the largest known cut diamond at 530 carats), and the Louvre’s 55.2-carat Sancy diamond.

Pros and Cons of the Pear Cut

Consider the benefits of a Pear cut diamond, as well as the cons, before buying.

Pros:

• Maximizes Carat Weight. Pear diamonds look larger than they are, and larger than most diamond shapes of the same carat weight, including Round Brilliant cut diamonds.
• More Affordable. “Pears are a great choice for those wanting a larger diamond on a budget. A 1.50ct Pear will look similar in size to a 2ct Emerald cut diamond, but it will cost less due to the smaller carat weight,” Explains VRAI’s Lead Gemologist Queena Chang.
• Spectacular Shine. Pear cut diamonds have comparable brilliance to a Round Brilliant cut diamond, thanks to their faceting structure.
• Elegant, Distinct Appearance. People love Pear cut diamonds for their unique yet classic beauty.

Cons:

• Delicate tip. While Pears won’t break easier than other diamonds, “they do have a fragile tip that can be prone to chipping,” says Chang. “It’s important to always look for a setting that covers the tip.”
• Harder to find. It can be hard to find a Pear with a quality cut, ideal symmetry, and exacting proportions.

Evaluating the Pear Cut: Diamond 4Cs

When choosing a Pear cut diamond, it’s important to use the diamond 4Cs to ensure that you’re buying a quality Pear.

Cut

Pears are known for their brilliance, but a high-quality cut is what guarantees a Pear's renowned shine. Pears can have a bowtie effect (a slight shadow in the center), but an Excellent cut will minimize any potential bow-tie.

Excellent symmetry, found in all VRAI created Pear diamonds, is also important to ensure that the tip perfectly lines up with the middle.

Clarity

Pear diamonds hide inclusions well, but higher clarity grades are important for Pear cut diamonds, due to their large face and facets.

An SI1 or SI2 clarity grade is usually enough for a Pear to appear eye-clean, and to create optimal shine.

Color

The best color for a Pear cut largely depends on the carat weight and the metal color you choose for the ring setting. Pears tend to show more color at their tip, so be mindful of this area when choosing a Pear.

Near Colorless Pear cut diamonds should appear white regardless of the size and setting. For yellow gold or rose gold bands, you can go lower on the Near Colorless Scale. But for Platinum and white gold settings, or larger Pear diamonds, stick to the higher Near Colorless grades.

Carat

You can save on carat weight for Pear cut diamonds, as they appear larger than they are. “Pear diamonds are a fantastic choice if you want a diamond that faces up large for its carat weight,” says Chang. Let your budget and preferences choose the best carat weight for you.

Pear Cut Diamonds Cut to Order

The easiest way to get the exact pear cut diamond you want is to have VRAI cut a pear cut lab grown diamond to your exact specifications. With our Cut for You™ program, you can select the exact carat size and specify the color and cut you want and we'll cut a pear shape lab grown diamond exactly to your order. AThis means no

Best Settings for Pear Cut Diamonds

If you’re considering a Pear cut ring, solitaire settings that cover the pointed tip of a Pear are the best engagement ring settings to highlight and protect a Pear’s shape. Prong, Halo, and Bezel settings will do this perfectly.

“Some of the most popular settings for Pears are The Classic, which allows the unique shape to speak for itself on a simple band,” says Chang.

Pear diamonds already have a vintage elegance, which makes them an ideal cut for vintage-inspired engagement ring settings. “The Signature V is a perfect pairing with the Pear shape, as the V compliments the point of the Pear,” recommends Chang.

“I have also found the Toi Moi Pear and Emerald to be another amazing combination. The two shapes pair very well due to their contrasting faceting patterns, and the balance of geometric and soft curves,” Chang continues.

The best ring setting for you depends on your style and preferences. It also depends on which way you plan to wear your Pear-shaped ring, as Pears can be worn in both directions.

Some people prefer to wear the Pear-shaped ring with the point facing down, toward the heart. This is the most common way to wear a Pear diamond. Other people prefer to wear the point facing up, away from the heart. Most ring settings allow you to wear your Pear in either direction, but other settings can only be worn with the Pear facing a specific way.

Pear Cut Diamond FAQs: Ask a Diamond Expert

VRAI Lead Gemologist, Queena Chang, answers the most commonly asked questions about Pear cut diamonds, below.

Are Pear Diamonds Rare?

A Pear cut diamond is rare and harder to find due to inconsistent demand. If you find a Pear cut that you love, don’t hesitate to buy the diamond as a high-quality Pear can be hard to find.

Is a Round or Pear Diamond More Expensive?

Pear cut diamonds are typically less expensive than Round Brilliant cut diamonds of the same size and quality. This is because Pear cuts use more of the rough diamond and have less demand than Round Brilliant cuts.

What Do Pear Cut Diamonds Symbolize?

Pear diamonds symbolize tears of joy, inspired by their teardrop shape. This makes Pear diamonds a wonderful, romantic shape for an engagement ring or other fine jewelry designs.

Are Pear Shaped Diamonds Still Popular?

Pear diamonds “are popular due to their elongated shape, and because they look more visually striking with their point,” Chang says. With a versatile shape that helps slenderize your fingers, it’s no surprise Pear cuts have been sought-after for centuries.

Are Pear Cut Diamonds More Expensive?

Pear cut diamonds are one of the more affordable diamond shapes available. The cost of a Pear cut diamond, however, will depend on the 4C’s. Our VRAI Diamond Experts can help you find a stunning Pear cut diamond within your budget.

Are Pear Diamonds Good For Engagement Rings?

A Pear cut diamond is a unique and coveted shape for an engagement ring. Pear-shaped engagement rings will always be popular, thanks to their dramatic, vintage-inspired look, striking brilliance, and elongated form.

What Is the Best Pear Ratio for a Diamond?

The best length-to-width ratio for a Pear cut diamond is between 1.45 and 1.75. Choosing this ratio ensures that your Pear diamond will have its coveted Pear shape. If the ratio is skewed, a Pear will look too wide or too short, and lose its form.

How Can You Tell if a Pear Diamond Is Real?

The only way to tell if a Pear cut diamond is real is through diamond certification. We recommend only buying certified Pear diamonds, like VRAI created diamonds. This verifies that your diamond is real, and ensures its quality.

Pear Diamonds vs Oval Diamonds

“I like to call Pears "Ovals with an attitude.” They are similar to the Oval with a rounded end, but they come to an asymmetrical point on the other end,” says Chang.

“For some clients, it's a bit too asymmetrical for their liking, but for others, they love that Pear cut diamonds have a bit of personality to them,” Chang continues. “This preference is definitely personal. It comes down to what each individual prefers in their elongated cuts.”

Discover Lab-Grown Pear Cut Diamonds with VRAI

Explore our full inventory of VRAI created Pear cut diamonds. Unlike mined or other lab-grown diamonds, VRAI created diamonds are Carbon Neutral Certified. They are grown in the world’s first zero-emission foundry, then cut and polished in-house to exacting proportions by our master craftsman.

All VRAI created Pear diamonds have an Excellent cut grade and a lifetime warranty. With VRAI, you can buy the highest-quality Pear cut diamond, no matter your budget or preferences.