Pear Shaped Diamond Guide

The pear-shaped diamond, often referred to as a teardrop, combines the best of both round and marquise diamond shapes. When choosing a pear-shaped diamond, it’s essential to consider its length-to-width ratio and be mindful of the “bow-tie” effect, which can appear in the center of the diamond. Pear shaped diamonds are less expensive than popular diamond shapes like round or princess cuts and have more visible surface area than many other shapes, which lets you save by purchasing a lower-carat diamond without sacrificing visible size. A one carat pear shaped (based on our recommendations) will cost about $3,600 which is cheaper than a 1 carat round diamond but will look larger once set.

Its unique silhouette, reminiscent of a droplet, offers a blend of elegance and brilliance. While it’s not the most common choice, its elongated form can make fingers appear more slender. We go over those details, and more, in depth in this article to help you find the perfect pear shaped diamond.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:

What is a pear shaped diamond?
What should I focus on when buying a pear shaped diamond?
What length to width ratio is the best for a pear shaped diamond?
The pros & cons of a pear shape diamond
What setting style should I choose for a pear shaped diamond?
FAQs about pear shape diamonds

What is a Pear Shaped Diamond?

A pear shaped diamond, also commonly called pear cut diamond or teardrop diamond, is a brilliant-cut diamond, cut in the shape of a pear or teardrop (hence the name).

Pear cut or pear shaped diamonds have an elongated shape, much like a marquise or oval cut. In a pear cut diamond, one end is rounded (like an oval cut), and the other ends in a point (like a marquise diamond). 

This results in pear shaped diamonds’ unique appearance, making for one-of-a-kind engagement rings, or other pieces of jewelry. Engagement rings set with pear shape diamonds are great for making the wearer’s finger appear longer and slimmer. 

A pear shaped diamond can vary in its exact shape. Some pear shapes are more elongated, while others are shorter and stubbier. The length to width ratio of a pear shaped diamond generally falls between 1.5 and 2.0. Each person may have their own preference for L/W ratio in a pear shape diamond, however the optimal ratio is usually somewhere between 1.55 and 1.75.

Buying a Pear Shape Diamond Ring

Bottom Line Recommendation:

The best settings for pear shaped diamonds (sometimes referred to as teardrop diamonds) are tapered solitaire setting like this from James Allen or an intricate halo setting like this also from James Allen. The setting should protect the vulnerable parts of the diamond (the pointed tip at one end), while showing off the unique beauty of the teardrop shape.

• Color: H Color or better

A diamond’s color refers to to its visible yellow tint (or lack thereof). As the American Gem Society explains, colorless diamonds are considered the highest quality with the highest value, while diamonds with a visible tint are typically less valuable and desirable.

Not all diamond shapes display color equally. Some, such as the round brilliant cut, are excellent at hiding color, while others display internal color more obviously.

Pear shapes (and other soft-sided fancy shapes such as marquis and oval) are among the diamond shapes that show color the strongest. The only two shapes that perhaps show color more than this grouping are the cushion cut and radiant cut.  

That being the case it is best to stick with H color or higher to ensure that your stone will look white. This of course only applies if you’re setting the stone in white gold or platinum. If you’re setting it in yellow gold or rose gold, feel free to drop down to J or K and save the money or buy a larger stone.

• Clarity

Stick to SI2 clarity or SI1 clarity for the best value. Pear Shapes, like round brilliant diamonds, are great at concealing inclusions. At the rounded end of the stone, they work as well as a round stone.  

At the pointed edge, it’s even stronger at hiding inclusions making it almost impossible to see any imperfections.  

Still, a concentrated black SI2 in the center of the stone will definitely be visible to the naked eye, so you still can’t trust a site listing virtual inventory at their word regarding checks for eye-cleanliness (see my Blue Nile Review for why that is). Of course, only use a vendor that offers high-quality photos (like James Allen).

Inspect the photos and only trust a vendor’s eye cleanliness check if they’re checking it themselves (as does James Allen).

• Cut parameters for pear shape diamonds:
  • Depth: Under 68%
  • Polish/Symmetry: Good, Very Good, or Excellent
  • Length/Width Ratio: Usually between 1.55 and 1.75 is considered ideal
  • As with cushion cuts, the suggested parameters are not particularly strict. With pear shapes, the numbers on the certificate matter much less than other shapes (such as round and princess).  

Unfortunately, you will never find the really important things regarding pear shape cut quality on a certificate. For example, you’d never know the roundness of the round side of a pear shape just by looking at the certificate.  

Some pear shapes have very boxy round sides whereas others are properly curved. Some slope towards the point in a rounded way, whereas some are straight and come to a point like a triangle. With pear shapes, it is absolutely critical that you see at least a photograph of the stone and see with your own eyes how it looks.

The Pear Shape – A Classic Beauty

While pear shapes are certainly not among the most popular shapes these days, I must confess that I am personally a lover of this shape. I can’t put my finger on the particular aspect of this shape that I love, but I have a feeling I know what it is.

You see, the vast majority of pear shapes out there are absolute junk. I know when I go online to help readers who are looking for pear shapes, I can look through 20-30 stones before I find one with a nice cut.

A teardrop cut diamond, which is also commonly referred to as a pear shape, is a classic look when done right. Pointed on one end and rounded on the other, a nice pear shape can have an unparalleled shine. It’s just a matter of picking the right cut and setting, which we’ll help you within this article.

Properly Cut Pear Shapes Are a True Find

Most pear shapes cut today are too short and stubby. Some others are too long. Other ones aren’t properly rounded on the round side of the stone. The list goes on and on.

So I think the reason that I love a beautifully made pear shape is simply that I recognize how special and rare they are.  It’s easy to find a stunning round brilliant or princess cut. They’re all over the market. But to find a properly cut pear shape truly is a find.

Feel free to look through recently purchased engagement rings from our highest rated retailers here.

Excellent info and education about Diamonds. Unbiased opinions and advice. Highly recommend the content on their site before making a Diamond purchase. They even offer one on one service via email for advice and recommendation.

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Feb 1, 2023

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Dec 21, 2022

The Most Popular Diamond Shapes

Pear shape is slowly becoming one of the most popular diamond shapes for an engagement ring. With its high brilliance and unique shape, people are drawn to the different look. And pear shape is not the only shape that has that affect. We covered all the different shapes for you to consider in our guide to diamond shapes.

Diamond Shape Chart

Pear Shape: Length to Width Ratio

On of the most common way pear shapes are miscut is with an out of balance length to width ratio. Most people find that they prefer pear shapes with a length to width ratio of about 1.55 to about 1.75.

As you can see in the diagram to the right, both of these ratios look natural for the shape whereas the stone that has a 2.0 L/W ratio looks out of whack.  Where you fall between 1.55 and 1.75 is really a matter of personal preference.  Lets take a look at some real life examples:

Unbecoming Ratios

As you can see in the picture above, an L/W ratio of 1.47 already looks way too short and stubby for a pear shape. This stone looks like a slightly stretched out round shape – not what you’d like to see in a pear.

In the picture here, you can see the opposite extreme. This stone has an L/W ratio of 1.89 which is way too long for a pear shape.

Beautiful Examples

And finally, Goldilocks, we’ve come to the stones that fit just right. To the left and right you can see beautiful examples of stones that are at opposite ends of the acceptable range of L/W. Where your preferences lie between these two boundaries is just a matter of what shape speaks to your tastes.

Straight vs. Curvy Pear Shapes

While the length-to-width ratio is something that you can calculate yourself by viewing the diamond’s measurements on the certificate, the silhouette of the stone is not something you can figure out on paper alone.

How the diamond is shaped, strictly in 2-dimensional terms, is really one of the most important aspects of a pear shape.  This is the case, particularly with pear shapes (and perhaps heart shapes as well), over and above all other shapes.

Unique Asymmetry

The reason is simply that the pear shape’s silhouette is its signature. Think about it – every other shape is a basic symmetrical geometric shape.

Only the pear shape has this unique asymmetrical shape with a different top and bottom.  So how the stone makes its way from the round end to the point is what this shape is all about.

Common Mishap Pear Shapes

In this section, I would like to point out a couple of commonly misshapen pear shape types.

Firstly, to the left, you can see what I like to call the “triangular” pear shape. If you look at the picture, you’ll see it’s obvious why I call it this.

Flat Back Pears

The left side of the stone (in this picture) is supposed to be a perfectly round semicircle. Instead, it’s nearly flat. Furthermore, the sides of the stone should have a bit more curve to them. A close relative to the “triangle” pear shape is what I call the “flat-back” pear shape.

These are basically one step better than the “triangle” since the only noticeable problem is the flattish back whereas the sides still have the proper curve to them.

Too Curvy Pears

The next common misshapen pear is what I call the “too curvy” or “too wide” pear shape. See the picture to the right.

Here, you’ll notice that the sides that come around towards the point do so with too wide of a slope.

It’s almost like it wants to be an oval as it comes around the sides and only decides it wants to be a pear shape at the last second as it closes to a point. It’s not a smooth slope all the way around.

Pear Shape Bow Ties

Probably the most common concern regarding pear shapes is whether or not a stone has a “bow tie.”

See the diamond to the left for a classic example of what a bow tie is. The “bow-tie” refers to that pattern that you see in the stone to the left running North to South in the photo running through the center of the stone.

This is yet more reason why it would be a very big mistake to buy a pear shape sight unseen. There is simply no way to tell whether or not your pear shape will show an ugly bow-tie like this simply by looking at the certificate.

Size vs. Carat Weight Comparison

All shape differences aside, if you struggle with imagining the actual size of a pear shape, check out this image where we compared the most popular pear shape carat weights.

Shop for pear shape diamond enagagement rings here.

Pear Shaped Diamonds Pros and Cons

There are some definite pros and cons about pear shape or teardrop cut diamonds. Take them into account when you’re picking out a ring and it may help you make a decision you (and your spouse to be) are happy with.

Pros:

• Appear larger than round diamonds
• Lower cost
• Unique style
• Great for some hand types

Why choose a pear-shaped diamond? A big reason is that they appear bigger and more impressive than some more traditional cuts (such as a round diamond). The shape of a pear cut diamond means a greater surface area of the diamond is visible, compared to a different cut with the same carat weight.

This helps you save more when buying your ring, as you can go for a lower carat weight that maintains a similar or greater visual effect.

The style of a pear shape diamond can also be a deciding factor. It makes for beautiful, unique engagement rings, whether you want to go for a classic or trendy style. The elongated diamond also suits particular hand shapes more than other cuts.

Cons: 

• Potential for damage
• Hard to find a good cut

There are a couple of downsides to pear shape diamonds. The first is that the pointed tip is easier to damage than a round cut, for example. This makes the diamond prone to chipping, although it should be set to avoid this as much as possible.

As we’ve already touched on, it’s also harder to find a high-quality pear shaped cut diamond. It will take a lot of searching to find one with a good cut and ratio, so you may want to opt for an easier choice like a round or cushion cut.

Best Setting for Pear Shaped Diamonds

Once you find the perfect pear shaped diamond, you have to pair it with the best setting to complement the stone.

Aside from showing the diamond in all its beauty, you should take care to ensure the setting protects it from damage, specifically on the pointed tip. This tip can be prone to chipping, as well as catching on things like clothing.

Prong settings (either 5 or 6 prongs) are very popular for pear shaped diamonds. The prongs securely hold the diamond in place without covering up too much, with one prong placed on the tip, to protect it from damage as mentioned above. Check out this pear shape diamond anniversary ring from Blue Nile. 

This ring from James Allen features 5 prongs, with one prong in a larger v-shape specifically to protect the point of the diamond, while this 6-prong setting also from James Allen opts for a little less protection but more space to show off the stone.

Bezel settings give the most safety for the center diamond, by fully encircling the stone with a metal outer ring. A bezel setting is modern, minimalist, and practical. The tradeoff is that the diamond is not shown off as much as with a prong setting, and you may not get the same brilliant sparkle.

A halo setting offers a stunning all-round sparkle, accentuating the unique shape of the diamond with a number of smaller diamonds forming a ring around it. These smaller diamonds make the center diamond appear larger, making for a truly glamorous design.

Here is an example from James Allen of the kind of brilliant shine that’s possible with a halo setting and a pear cut diamond.

Finally, for a stunning and unique design, you can go with a tension setting. These settings work great with pear shaped diamonds, as one side of the setting curls around the pointed edge and protects it from damage. 

This type of setting really puts the diamond on display, so there will be no trouble showing off its beauty and shine. Tension settings generally come at a higher price though, so it’s an option if you decide to go all-out on a stunning ring. 

Take this 14K white gold tension ring from James Allen as an example of how unique and stylish this kind of setting can be with a pear shape stone.

FAQs About Pear Shaped Diamonds

Let’s finish by answering a few common questions about pear shape diamonds.

Conclusion

There is no magical combination of parameters that you can remember that will guarantee your stone won’t look like this. You must see a photo of the diamond so stick with a vendor like James Allen!

Here are more specific diamond shape topics to browse:

• What are the best diamond shapes/cuts?
• What is the most affordable diamond cut/shape?
• What is a round brilliant cut diamond (grade, clarity, and price)?
• What is a princess cut diamond (grade, clarity, and price)?
• What is a cushion cut diamond (grade, clarity, and price)?
• What is the price of an oval-cut diamond?
• What is an emerald-cut diamond (grade, clarity, and price)?
• What is a royal asscher cut vs. a standard asscher cut diamond?
• What is a radiant-cut diamond (grade, clarity, and price)?
• What is a marquise-cut diamond (grade, clarity, and price)?
• What is the price of a heart-shaped diamond?

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online. Get 25% off sitewide at James Allen

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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing.Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

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What we love about them:

• No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
• Lifetime Warranty
• Free Shipping
• Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
• Provide insurance appraisal
• One free resizing within the first year of purchase
• High quality images of about half of their diamonds
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About the author

Mike Fried Mike Fried has over 25 years experience in the diamond industry working with Leo Schachter Diamonds, Moshe Namdar Diamonds, and joining The Diamond Pro in 2007. He is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as Us, People, Page Six, The Next Web and more.