You’ve weighed the pros and the cons and have decided that your best option for engagement rings and wedding rings is to go with cubic zirconia rings. You also need to buy gifts for the bridesmaids, maid of honor and groomsmen and you’ve decided you want cubic zirconia earrings, necklaces or a simple ring for each of the bridesmaids and a tiepin for the groomsmen – classic, timeless and within your budget.

You’ve made a good choice. Now all you have to do is select the specific rings and jewelry to suite each person. You’ve already done some research and you know that zirconia stones are versatile and come in a variety of colors which will work well for rings and earrings for the bridal party. You also know what general kind of wedding ring sets you want for you and your partner, but you don’t know much about the cut of a diamond, that all important shape that will determine the style of the setting and the brilliance or sparkle of the stones.

Although cubic zirconia are cut slightly different at a technical level, the terms used in the diamond industry apply as well to the cut which describes the shape and brilliance of cubic zirconia rings. The shapes that are available, and the brilliance of the stone will be similar, be it a diamond or a cubic zirconia.

So here are some of the standard cuts that are used in the jewelry industry and used in most ring settings and earrings and bracelets and other cubic zirconia jewelry you may be contemplating.

• Heart – this is the most popular cut for youthful jewelry wearers because it seems simple and romantic, perfect for little girls and adolescents. The odd thing about this heart shape cut is that it is one of the most difficult cuts. For rings and earrings and small pendants, the cubic zirconia lends itself well to this cut and there are many cubic zirconia rings and other jewelry available in brilliant heart shapes. Well cut heart rings will be as long as they are wide. This cubic zirconia ring or earring style is very appropriate for bridesmaid gifts.

• Marquise – as the name suggests it is the cut often used in royal jewelry. The cuts are long and brilliant, if well done, suitable for cubic zirconia to give the illusion of a diamond that is much larger than it is because of the tapered points. Things to watch for are a lack of brilliance in the centre, it can take the shape of a bow, and this means the cut was not done properly. It should be brilliant and sparkle if the stone was cut to the proper length-width ratio.

• Radiant – as its name suggests is radiant and very brilliant with 70 facets and can be rectangular. Some of the newest designer cubic zirconia rings use this cut. It makes for a unique shaped engagement ring while maintaining the traditional sparkle of a diamond.

• Oval – this is a very brilliant cut used for stand alone ring settings, but is not the most popular. It is used most often in rings with three stones, oval being the main focal diamond and two smaller ones as accents beside it. There are more cubic zirconia rings with this cut because of the size of the stone required, and cubic zirconia makes this cut a more affordable option. It is thought to be more elegant cut by jewelers; however it is recommended to select an oval cut zirconia style if you are not seeking a solitaire.

• Pear – the pear cut is best known in teardrop earrings and rings. It is a mix of the marquise and oval cut and is especially popular for engagement rings, lending well to cubic zirconia solitaire rings.

• Cushion –a cut used in antique engagement rings and vintage wedding rings where there are many diamonds or zirconia in a cluster. When used on genuine diamonds they are scarcely affordable even for the rich, however cubic zirconia frequently use this cut and cluster many stones and have brought this cut back to life in contemporary designer jewelry.

• Emerald – this cut looks like a series of steps and has fewer facets (about 25 compared to others at 58). Usually the cubic zirconia ring will be a square or a rectangle. It is less reflective in general but works very well with cubic zirconia rings because the clarity and translucency is perfect. When using genuine stones this cut is only used on the highest grade stones because otherwise it may be somewhat opaque. The reason to choose emerald cut is the uniqueness of the finished ring. Many diamond cuts appear somewhat similar to the untrained eye, but there is no confusion with an emerald cut. It is not ever confused with other cuts. It is the choice of those who like understated elegance and individuality. The emerald cut cubic zirconia ring may not be the most brilliant or sparkling, but it is the most distinguished and unique.

• Asscher – is perhaps the rarest cut for a diamond and is doubtful to be available in a cubic zirconia ring. It would likely be found in a vintage or antique ring. The cut resembles the emerald in that it can be square in shape but with deeper cuts. Asscher is the name of the diamond cutter who cut the Cullinan Diamond, the world’s largest diamond, owned by King Edward VII.

• Round Brilliant – the cut you see most in traditional ring settings and less expensive genuine diamonds. In part it is because of its brilliance with 58 facets and used in solitaire engagement rings. It is also the cut most seen in cubic zirconia jewelry designs, earrings, rings, necklaces… It is simply put, the most sparkle possible in the most versatile shapes for rings.

• Princess – is the runner-up in the diamond and cubic zirconia cutting contest even though it is not the most brilliant or radiant but the shape can be unique, like a pyramid with the flat side on the top of the setting. This cut describes such a wide range of techniques that have been used over the years to create rings that it is difficult to describe only one style of cut. It is also known as a square modified brilliant cut.