Expert Tips for Buying a Pear Shaped Diamond Ring

Learn everything you need to know about buying a pear shaped diamond.

History of Pear Cut Diamonds

The pear-shaped diamond, also known as the teardrop diamond, has a rich and storied history dating back several centuries. The pear-shaped diamond was first created in the 1400s by Flemish polisher Lodewyk van Berquem. Van Berquem is credited with inventing the diamond polishing wheel, called the scaif, which allowed him to cut facets into diamonds and enhance their brilliance. His work marked a significant advancement in the art of diamond cutting.

The pear-shaped cut is a combination of the round brilliant cut and the marquise cut, with one rounded end and one pointed end. It typically has 58 facets, which maximize its brilliance and fire. The unique shape and versatility of the pear cut allow it to be customized in a range of settings.

Popularity of Pear Cut Diamonds

In recent years, the pear-shaped diamond has become increasingly popular for engagement rings. Its unique shape elongates the finger and offers a blend of traditional and modern elegance. Pear shaped diamonds also have royal and noble connections. Throughout history, pear shaped diamonds have been favored by royalty and nobility for their distinctive shape and dazzling appearance. They have been set in various pieces of jewelry, including crowns, necklaces, and brooches, symbolizing wealth and status. Famous pear shaped diamonds include:

The Star of Africa (Cullinan I): This is perhaps the most famous pear-shaped diamond, weighing 530.20 carats. It is the largest clear-cut diamond in the world and is set in the British Crown Jewels.
The Taylor-Burton Diamond: Originally weighing 240.80 carats in the rough, this diamond was cut into a 69.42-carat pear shape and famously purchased by actor Richard Burton for Elizabeth Taylor in 1969.

The 4 Cs: Carat, Clarity, Color, and Cut

Carat: As a luxury seller of diamonds, Sotheby's generally carries pear shaped diamonds that are 3 carats and larger. Sotheby's sells some smaller pear shaped diamonds but these are either colored diamonds or very high quality diamonds that are classified as colorless and in the flawless/internally flawless clarity grade.
Clarity: The precision of the cut is crucial for pear-shaped diamonds. The symmetry of the diamond must be perfect to ensure that light is reflected evenly, avoiding a "bow-tie" effect, which can cause a dark area across the center of the diamond. Sotheby's recommends VS or better clarity for pear shaped diamonds set as rings.
Color: We recommend a G color or better for pear shaped diamond rings.
Cut Proportions and Length-to-Width Ratio: The ideal length-to-width ratio for a pear-shaped diamond is subjective and varies according to personal preference. However, a typical ratio ranges from 1.45 to 1.75. A well-cut pear-shaped diamond should have excellent symmetry, with the point aligned with the center of the rounded end.

Type I and Type II Diamonds

About 95% of diamonds are Type Ia and contain trace amount of nitrogen. Most engagement rings and other diamond jewelry are made from Type Ia diamonds. Type Ib diamonds are often associated with intense canary yellow diamonds and are often used for jewelry. Type II diamonds are much rarer than Type I diamonds and have fewer inclusions and higher clarity than the more common Type I diamonds.

Type IIa diamonds are the purest form of diamonds with no measurable nitrogen or boron impurities. These diamonds are often colorless but can also be found in rare colors like pink, brown or blue. These are extremely rare and comprise less and 2% of all mined diamonds. These diamonds are formed under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions which can give the diamond higher clarity and brilliance. Sotheby's sold a Type IIa pear shaped diamond weighing 53.04 carats for $3.5 million in 2024.

Type IIb diamonds contain boron which give them blue or grayish-blue color. Unlike other diamonds, Type IIb are semiconductors and can conduct electricity and are even rarer than Type IIa diamonds. The Hope Diamond is an example of a famous Type IIb diamond. Sotheby's sold a Type IIb Bulgari pear shaped diamond called the Laguna Blu in 2023.

Fancy Colored Pear Cut Diamond Rings

Pear shaped diamonds are one of the preferred shapes for colored diamonds. A pear shaped diamond enhances and showcases the diamonds color. can enhance the color of fancy colored diamonds, making it a favored choice for colored stones as well. The cut and facet arrangement can help to concentrate and reflect color, making the hue appear more vivid and intense. Pear shaped diamonds can maximize the visual size of a diamond, which is particularly important for colored diamonds, as larger stones tend to display color more prominently. Pear shaped colored diamonds are significantly more expensive than similar size and quality white diamond due to rarity in the market. Sotheby's sold a fancy vivid blue pear shaped diamond ring 11.16 carats for 22.6 CHF in 2023 and the Golden Canary Diamond, a Fancy Deep Brownish Yellow pear shaped diamond 303.10 carats for $12.4 million in 2022

Celebrity Pear Cut Diamond Rings

Richard Burton gifted Elizabeth Taylor a 69.42 carat pear shaped diamond ring in 1969 that she later turned into a necklace. Victoria Beckham has received a 17 carat pear shaped diamond set in a pave band in 2005 from David Beckham. Emily Ratajkowski's two stone engagement ring featured a 3 carat pear shaped diamond and 2 carat princess cut dimaond. After her split from her husband, she had the rings made into two separate rings. Cardi B's engagement ring from Offset features an 8 carat pear shaped diamond. Paris Hilton received a 20 carat pear shaped diamond ring in 2018 from Chris Zylka. Paris kept the ring after they called off their engagement.

Buying a Pear Cut Diamond Ring at Sotheby's

Sotheby's sells natural pear shaped diamond rings on its marketplace, available for immediate shipping. Prices start at around $40,000 for a 3 carat pear shaped diamond that is VS clarity and G color. This price can vary depending on the cut, fluorescence, polish, brand and provenance. Along with high quality unsigned diamond rings VS clarity and G color or better, Sotheby's also sells pear shaped diamond rings from top luxury brands including Harry Winston, Tiffany, Cartier and more. Sotheby's also sells rare and impressive pear shaped diamond rings at auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris and Hong Kong. You can also contact a Client Advisor in New York or Bucherer in Zurich to learn more about Sotheby's diamond engagement rings. In addition to the available pear shaped diamond rings listed on marketplace or available at auction, Sotheby's is also able to source a pear shaped diamond ring from its global supplier network. Browse our curated selection online and reach out to a Salon associate to schedule a viewing.