Considered a “fancy shape”, a pear shape diamond is known for its high sparkle and vintage look. Originated by a Polish gemstone polisher in the 1400s, the pear-shaped diamond, also known as a teardrop shape, uses facet placement to maximize shine and brilliance. The pear cut has grown in popularity since the Renaissance period and today is a popular choice among A-listers like Cardi B, Sophie Turner and Victoria Beckham, to name a few. If you want a unique piece that you don’t see every day, a pear-shaped engagement ring might be just what you’re looking for.

A blend of the best features of a round cut and a marquise cut, a pear-shaped diamond is said to represent an emotional bond or connection. The romantic, feminine curves balance out the bold point, making a pear-shaped engagement ring a popular choice for brides who value both individuality and timelessness.

Due to their elongated shape, pear-shaped diamonds also tend to appear larger than a round or princess cut diamond of the same carat weight. Since the cut is tricky to perfect, a quality cut pear-shaped diamond is also harder to come by than more popular cuts.

Just like all fancy shapes, GIA doesn’t assign a cut grade to pear-shaped diamonds. Consulting with a diamond expert will help you examine your diamond for qualities like depth, table and the rest of the 4 Cs (clarity, color and carat). A few features specific to pear-shaped diamonds that you should consider include:

More than any other fancy shape, symmetry is an important characteristic of a pear-shaped diamond. Imagine drawing a line lengthwise down the middle of the diamond—both sides should look identical.

The best length to width ratio is usually between 1.45 to 1.75 but is ultimately a matter of personal preference.

A true pear-shaped diamond should have a semicircular end that continues into evenly rounded edges that taper into a point at the other end. Smaller stones with edges that are too straight can end up looking more triangular than pear-shaped.

Like all elongated shapes, pear-shaped diamonds have a bowtie effect which is a dark shadow in the center on the stone. Avoid dark bowties as it will take away from the overall brilliance of the stone.