Choosing a Pear Shaped Diamond
A pear diamond is a fancy brilliant-cut shape, and selecting a beautiful stone involves more than comparing carat, colour and clarity.
The outline should appear balanced when viewed face-up. Look for an even rounded end, smooth shoulders and wings, and a clearly defined point positioned in line with the centre of the diamond. Strong symmetry is particularly important with a pear because any imbalance between the two sides can be noticeable.
Two pear diamonds of the same carat weight can also have different physical dimensions. Comparing length, width and face-up appearance therefore gives a better indication of how each diamond will look once set into a ring.
The shape of the individual pear is ultimately a matter of preference. Some people prefer a fuller, softer teardrop, while others favour a longer and more slender silhouette. You can explore our wider diamond ring collection to compare pear diamonds with other shapes and setting styles.
Pear Diamond Proportions and Length-to-Width Ratio
Length-to-width ratio describes how elongated a pear shaped diamond appears. It is calculated by dividing the diamond’s length by its width.
A lower ratio creates a broader pear, while a higher ratio produces a longer and narrower diamond. Around 1.50 to 1.75 is a useful range when comparing traditional pear proportions, but there is no single ratio that is perfect for every ring.
We recommend viewing the actual diamond rather than selecting solely from a preferred numerical ratio. Finger size, band width, setting style and the orientation of the diamond can all influence how its proportions appear in the finished ring.
This is where designing around the individual diamond becomes particularly valuable: the setting can be proportioned to complement the stone rather than requiring the diamond to fit a generic mount.
Understanding the Bow-Tie Effect in Pear Diamonds
Like oval diamonds and marquise diamonds, pear shaped diamonds can display a darker area across the centre commonly known as the bow-tie effect.
A small amount of contrast is normal in many elongated brilliant-cut diamond shapes, but an overly dark or dominant bow-tie can distract from the diamond’s brilliance. This characteristic is not adequately described by carat, colour and clarity grades alone, which is another reason the face-up appearance of an individual pear diamond should be considered.
Our team can help you compare pear diamonds based on their overall appearance, proportions, symmetry and value rather than selecting solely from the information on a grading certificate.
Pear Diamond Ring Styles
The distinctive outline of a pear diamond works beautifully with both refined traditional settings and more contemporary jewellery design.
A solitaire diamond ring keeps the pear centre diamond as the principal feature and allows its distinctive proportions to remain clearly visible. Diamond-set shoulders can introduce additional brilliance without overwhelming the centre stone, while a halo diamond ring surrounds the pear with smaller diamonds to create greater visual presence.
Pear diamonds can also be incorporated into trilogy rings, vintage-inspired settings and more individual asymmetrical designs.
The pointed end requires particular attention during setting design. Appropriate claw placement or another protective setting method helps secure this more vulnerable part of the diamond while preserving the elegance of the pear outline.
Setting height and side profile are also important if the engagement ring will eventually sit alongside a wedding ring. These details can be resolved during CAD design rather than trying to accommodate the wedding ring after the engagement ring has already been manufactured.
Pear Shaped vs Oval and Marquise Diamond Rings
Pear, oval and marquise diamonds are all elongated brilliant-cut shapes, but each creates a distinctly different appearance.
An oval diamond ring has a completely curved and symmetrical outline, producing a softer and more balanced appearance.
A marquise diamond ring tapers to a point at both ends, creating a longer and more dramatic silhouette.
The pear sits between the two: rounded at one end and pointed at the other. This asymmetry gives pear shaped diamond rings their distinctive character while retaining much of the brilliance associated with elongated brilliant-cut diamonds.
A pear shaped diamond can therefore be an excellent choice if you prefer an elongated diamond but want something more individual than an oval and softer in appearance than a marquise.
Natural or Lab-Grown Pear Shaped Diamonds
Polished Diamonds offers both natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds in pear shapes.
Both are genuine diamonds and can be assessed using characteristics including carat weight, colour, clarity, measurements, polish and symmetry, together with the proportions and visual appearance of the individual stone. The principal difference is their origin.
Natural diamonds appeal to clients who value their geological formation, rarity and history, while lab-grown diamonds can provide greater flexibility around diamond size and specifications for a given budget.
The ring itself does not need to be fundamentally different according to diamond origin. Our jewellery designers can create the same carefully proportioned pear diamond setting around either a natural or lab-grown centre diamond.
Custom Pear Shaped Diamond Rings Made in New Zealand
Pear diamonds particularly benefit from a ring designed around the precise measurements of the actual centre stone.
Through our Design Your Own Diamond Ring service, Polished Diamonds can incorporate your selected pear diamond’s exact dimensions into a professional three-dimensional CAD model.
This allows our jewellery designers to refine important details including:
- claw placement and protection of the pear’s point
- setting height and profile
- band width and thickness
- halo and accent-diamond proportions
- wedding-ring clearance
- the overall visual balance between the diamond and ring
Detailed CAD renders allow you to see the proportions and profile of your pear-shaped diamond ring before it is made, giving you the opportunity to review and refine the design before manufacture begins.
Once approved, your ring is crafted through our dedicated New Zealand jewellery workshop, combining advanced jewellery technology with skilled craftsmanship, diamond setting and hand finishing.
The result is not simply a pear diamond placed into a predetermined setting, but a ring designed around the dimensions and proportions of the diamond you have selected.
View Pear Shaped Diamond Rings in New Zealand
Visit Polished Diamonds in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch to explore pear shaped diamond rings, compare natural and lab-grown diamonds and discuss your preferred design with our jewellery team.
You can choose one of our existing designs, personalise its proportions and precious metal, or create a completely custom pear diamond ring using CAD.
If you are outside our showroom locations, our designers can also work with you remotely from anywhere in New Zealand.
