Pear-Shaped-Engagement-Rings-How-To-Pick-The-Perfect-Teardrop

Pear Shaped Engagement Rings: How To Pick The Perfect Teardrop

Choosing who you want to spend the rest of your life with may be a no-brainer, but choosing the engagement ring that you or your future spouse will wear may not be an easy task.

Pear Shaped Engagement Ring

Today on the blog, we’re focusing on the pear shaped diamond. There’s no denying that pear shaped engagement rings are experiencing a major comeback, and it’s easy to see why.

These stunning teardrop-shaped pieces are not only timeless and eye-catching but they can also be easily customized because they have so many distinguishing characteristics.

Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this unique yet gorgeous diamond shape.

What Is a Pear Shaped Engagement Ring?

Pear shaped diamonds have graceful curves and a flattering, elongated teardrop shape. Essentially, this diamond shape is a combination of a marquise and a round diamond.  Also sometimes called “teardrop engagement rings,” pear engagement rings have one rounded end and one pointed. 

The teardrop diamond first originated in Belgium during the early 1400s. Created by Lodewyk, van Berquem was also responsible for the placement of facets in modern diamond cuts and for the use of symmetry in diamond cutting. Unfortunately, at the time, the pear shaped diamond was not so popular. 

However, today, there are pear shaped engagement rings for every aesthetic, from minimalistic solitaires to vintage-inspired styles with captivating colorful gemstones. Even famous celebrities such as Victoria Beckham, Elizabeth Taylor, Emily Ratajkowski and Cardi B rock out-of-this-world pear-shaped engagement rings. 

14K Rose Gold Pavé Halo Diamond Engagement Ring (Pear Center)
18K White Gold Petite Pavé Engagement Ring (Flush Fit)

Pros and Cons of a Pear Shaped Engagement Ring

As with all diamond cuts, the pear cut has both advantages and disadvantages.

Pear shape diamonds: Pro and Cons infographic

What to Look for in a Pear Shaped Engagement Ring

When searching for your perfect pear shaped diamond, there are a few important characteristics to keep in mind! Remember to look for…

  • Even Shoulders & Perfect Symmetry

Diamonds with pear shapes should have even rounded edges when viewed from above. In an instance where one edge is slanted more than the other, the value of the diamond decreases. Additionally, the point of the teardrop should lie directly between the two rounded edges. In other words, if you fold the diamond in half lengthwise, the point of the diamond should be right on the folding line

Teardrop diamond
14K White Gold 1.5mm Comfort Fit Engagement Ring
  • Proper Sparkle

As these types of diamonds are modified round brilliants, they should retain all of the sparkle and magnificence of the round brilliant diamond. Diamonds occasionally display a dark “bow-tie” shape within the diamond’s facets (center) that can be seen at a certain angle. It’s important to make sure that your pear-shaped diamond does not have this imperfection!

  • Good Length To Width Ratio 

The length-to-width ratio of your pear-cut diamond will impact how wide or narrow the diamond will look. This ration also refers to how long a diamond is in comparison to how wide it is. If the width of the pear shaped diamond is 1, it is generally agreed upon that the ideal length is about 1.5 to 1.7 times that. Using this ratio, you’ll be able to create the perfect ring shape for your engagement ring.

  • A Setting to Protect the Pear Shape

We have five different yet ideal types of settings that will perfectly protect your pear-shaped engagement ring from damage. 

  1. Prong setting – this refers to the metal claws that hold a diamond in place. Not only does this allow for maximum light reflection and a beautiful display of the diamond, but a prong setting offers a large amount of protection for the diamond. This is ideal for smaller pear diamonds and offers excellent protection for the point. 
  2. Halo setting – glamorous and stylish, the halo setting offers protection all around the diamond. Edges are kept secure while adding an extra sparkle to the stone. 
  3. Bezel setting – offering the best possible protection for any diamond cut. The entire diamond is beautifully wrapped in metal and kept in place. Contemporary, trendy with a minimalistic look, are also perfect for fancy-color pear diamonds.

Pear Shaped Diamond Anatomy

Understanding the parts and characteristics of a diamond, as well as its terminology can help you shop wisely for your desired stone.

Pear shaped diamond anatomy

How To Wear A Teardrop Engagement Ring

There are no rules when it comes to the ‘right’ way to wear a pear shaped engagement ring. But the most common way to wear a pear shape is to have the tip pointing upwards to your fingertips, with the round bottom towards the hand. This gives it the upright figure of a falling teardrop or pear standing up.

What Wedding Rings Go With Pear Shaped Engagement Rings

Choosing a stand-out engagement ring style can make it a little trickier to pair it with a wedding band, so we’ve put together some of our favorite ideas to help you style your dream ring. 

While the simplest way to pair your fancy-shaped engagement ring might be with a straight wedding band, you can also jazz it up with an unusual wedding ring style. For example, a curved or contoured wedding ring will beautifully follow the curve of your pear shaped ring and accentuate its size.
One of the most beautiful ways to ensure your engagement and wedding rings perfectly match is to opt for a bridal set. In a bridal set, both rings are designed to fit seamlessly together. As teardrop engagement rings are often a unique style, you’re guaranteed that your rings will complement one another perfectly. 

FAQs

  1. What does a pear shaped ring symbolize? A pear-shaped ring often represents the strong will, empowerment, independence, and unique style of its wearer. It is believed that these stones also symbolize tears of joy or wedding tears, both appropriate choices for an engagement ring.
  2. Are pear shaped diamonds more expensive? Generally, pear-shaped diamonds are less expensive than round diamonds of the same carat and quality. Since pear-shaped diamonds produce less waste when cut from raw diamonds, they are usually less expensive to cut. Additionally, pear-shaped diamonds will look larger than round diamonds of the same carat weight.
  3. Are pear shaped rings pretty? If you’re looking for an elegant, unique shape that’s different from the rest, a pear-shaped engagement ring is perfect for you! Pears give great sparkle, look larger than rounds of the same size, and are rarer than many other shapes. They’re a beautiful engagement ring choice!
  4. Do pear shaped diamonds sparkle? Yes! Pear-shaped diamonds are “brilliant” cut diamonds which are faceted in triangular and kite shapes. In other words, they sparkle like crazy!

We’re Here To Help

Looking for pear-fection? Why not put one of these gorgeous pear-shaped stunners in your cart? 

Plus, don’t forget, you can view all of these pear-shaped diamonds’ cut, color, clarity, and sparkle on JamesAllen.com in 360° HD views and up to 40x magnification so you can truly understand your diamond’s features.

Then, once you’ve picked the pear you wish to wear, feel free to share it with us on one of our social channels: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, or Twitter.

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Tarryn Snoyman

Tarryn is a content writer by day and a criminology enthusiast by night.

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pear-shaped-diamonds-cover-pavé-halo-shank-diamond-engagement-ring

Pear Shaped Diamonds with Fruitful Flare

Pear shaped diamonds the only part of your engagement you’ll want to go pear shaped!

pear shaped diamonds cover pavé halo shank diamond engagement ring
Pavé Halo Shank Diamond Engagement Ring

Imagine if Eve had picked a pear in the Garden of Eden instead of that darn apple. She would’ve stood out from all the other women (had there been any other women) and been hailed a trendsetter. Still, it’s never too late to make amends and pear shaped diamonds are the perfect sparkle offering.

Love is in the pear!

Pear Shaped Diamonds: Ripe for the Picking

So, what makes a pear a pear? The unique shape is achieved by combining two other diamond cuts: round brilliant and marquise. At one end, you have the gentle curves of a round cut; at the other, the pointed charm of a marquise. Best of all, it retains much of the sparkle of a round cut, despite not conforming exactly to that shape.

Grab yourself a piece of this low-hanging fruit!

pear shaped diamonds 0.72 carat k si1 diamond
0.72 Carat K SI1 Diamond

A Diamond Beyond Compear

If further pearsuasion is needed, choosing a non-traditional diamond shape like pear can actually save you money! That’s right; because the demand for pear is lower than for round brilliant, it tends to offer better value. A pear shaped diamond could save you as much as 25% compared to a round cut of the same size and quality. How sweet is that?!

Hot take: Pair your pear with a solitaire for a classic setting that’s both affordable and offers maximum light return through the top of the stone.

Classic Knife-Edge Presentation Solitaire Engagement Ring

Pear to Spare

Thanks to their elongated lines, pear shape diamonds tend to look larger than other shapes of the same carat weight. On the other hand, they gently accentuate slender fingers and make shorter fingers appear longer and slimmer.

14K Rose Gold Pavé Halo Diamond Engagement Ring (Pear Center)
Pavé Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

Who Rocks Pear Shaped Diamonds?

2018 is shaping up to be the year of the pear! Paris Hilton (or should that be Pearis Hilton?) got the party started back in January when she said yes to a juicy 20-carat pear shaped diamond engagement ring. Of course, she’s not alone in her penchant for pear. Other personalities include Ariana Grande, Kaley Cuoco, Cardi B, Sophie Turner, Victoria Beckham, Zoe Saldana, Katherine Heigl, and Margot Robbie.

Pavé Halo Shank Diamond Engagement Ring

See which other non-traditional diamond shapes are in with celebs right now.

What is a Pear Shaped Diamond?

When purchasing a pear shaped diamond, it helps to know which attributes to look out for. That way, you can avoid pulling an Eve and picking the wrong piece!

Cut To minimize the undesirable ‘bow tie’ effect commonly found in pear shaped diamonds, ensure the diamond cut is as symmetrical as possible. It’s more aesthetic plus it returns more light and sparkle back to your eyes.

Color The pointed end of the diamond doesn’t reflect light nearly as well as the round part, so it’s more likely to reveal the stone’s true color. To avoid those ‘warmer’ yellow tones, opt for a high grade on the color scale (no lower than G).

Clarity As with color, any inclusions are more visible if they occur at the pointed end of the diamond, where there are less sparkle and scintillation. You’re better off going for an ‘eye clean’ diamond with a clarity grade of VS2 or above.

Carat The carat weight you choose will largely depend on your budget, but this is not the be-all and end-all. An increase in carat size will often appear negligible, yet raise the price significantly. Far more important are cut, color, and clarity in determining a diamond’s overall beauty.

14K Yellow Gold Pavé Rope Engagement Ring
Pavé Twisted Rope Engagement Ring
14K White Gold Round Split Band Diamond Halo Engagement Ring
Pavé Split-Shank Diamond Halo Engagement Ring

Looking for pear-fection? Peruse these pear shaped pretties!

Don’t forget — you can view all of the pear shaped diamonds on JamesAllen.com in glorious 360° HD at up to 40x SuperZoom.

Once you’ve picked the pear you wish to wear, feel free to share it in the comments below or on our social channels: Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, or Twitter.

Discover additional diamond cuts in our diamond shape blog series.

Pin this image to pre-pear your engagement ring:

pear shaped diamonds pinterest pin

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Jonny Hart

Jonny is passionate about puns, adores alliteration, and finds diamonds positively facet-nating! Since joining James Allen, he has written the word 'sparkle’ 9,732 times and counting.

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