---
title: "Which diamond shape looks biggest for its carat weight? Measured"
description: "The marquise looks biggest for its carat weight in our models. Its face-up area is 21% larger than that of a round brilliant of the same weight."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers/which-diamond-shape-looks-biggest
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/og-digital-gemology.png?v=d224fb01
---

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[Learn](https://digitalgemology.com/learn) · [Answers](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers)

# Which diamond shape looks biggest for its carat weight?

From our own measurements · updated 2026-11-09

**The marquise looks biggest for its carat weight in our models.** Its face-up area is 21% larger than that of a round brilliant of the same weight. The radiant (+18%) and the pear (+15%) also have a larger face-up area. The trilliant (−7%) and the cushion (−3%) have a smaller one. In our traces of diamond, the marquise also leaks more light: 17%, against 2% for the round brilliant.

**Face-up size per carat of the ten classic shapes, as a percentage of a round brilliant of the same weight, with the light that leaks out of each in diamond**

| Shape | Face-up size | Light leakage in diamond |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Marquise](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/marquise) | 121% | 17% |
| [Radiant](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/radiant) | 118% | 41% |
| [Pear](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/pear) | 115% | 22% |
| [Oval](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/oval) | 108% | 27% |
| [Emerald cut](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/emerald-cut) | 105% | 25% |
| [Asscher](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/asscher) | 102% | 11% |
| [Princess](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/princess) | 101% | 18% |
| [Round brilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/t73-round-brilliant) | 100% | 2% |
| [Cushion](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/cushion) | 97% | 9% |
| [Trilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/trilliant) | 93% | 11% |

Face-up area for the same weight, round brilliant = 100% Measured on our model of each shape. Another cutter's proportions give other figures. [How we measure](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/face-up-size)

## Why

[Face-up size](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/face-up-size) depends on the outline and the depth. A long, shallow stone spreads the same weight over a larger area. These percentages hold in every gemstone, because density changes the weight of every shape by the same factor.

In our traces, shapes that face up larger often lose more light through the back. This [leakage](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/leakage) is one cause of the dark [bow-tie](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/bow-tie) in a long stone.

Compare any two cuts in the [Cut Performance Wheel](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/cut-performance-wheel), or turn them in light in the [3D Gemstone Simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator).

## Read more

- [Carat weight vs size: why a 2 ct diamond isn't twice as big](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/four-cs/carat-weight-vs-size)
- [Which diamond shapes get a bow-tie: oval, pear, marquise and more](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/bow-tie/which-diamond-shapes-have-a-bow-tie)

## More answers

- [What is the best cut for moissanite?](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers/best-cut-for-moissanite)
- [What is the best cut for a sapphire or a ruby?](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers/best-cut-for-sapphire-and-ruby)
- [What is the best cut for an emerald?](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers/best-cut-for-emerald)
- [What is the best cut for amethyst?](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers/best-cut-for-amethyst)
- [What is the best cut for cubic zirconia?](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers/best-cut-for-cubic-zirconia)
- [Which diamond shape sparkles the most?](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers/which-diamond-shape-sparkles-most)
- [Oval or round diamond: which is better?](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/answers/oval-vs-round-diamond)