What is a fancy diamond shape?

A fancy diamond shape is any cut other than the round brilliant, which remains the most common. Lab-grown diamonds are available in all fancy shapes and the International Gemological Institute (IGI) certifies each stone for standard properties like color, clarity, carat, and proportions (though cut grading is typically reserved for round brilliants). Common fancy shapes include princess, cushion, oval, pear, marquise, emerald, asscher, heart, and trillion. Each shape handles light differently due to its proportions, affecting brilliance and appearance. Lab-grown production allows more control over crystal structure, often giving cutters greater flexibility in optimizing fancy shapes. However, trends still influence popularity and pricing over time. If shape matters to you, always confirm the exact designation on the IGI certificate before comparing stones.