Pear Cut
The pear cut, or teardrop, is a brilliant diamond that blends a rounded end with a single tapered point.
The pear cut, also called the teardrop, combines the rounded end of a round brilliant with the single point of a marquise, so it looks like a drop of water. It is a brilliant-faceted shape used in rings and pendants, it looks large for its carat weight, and its one point needs a setting that protects it from chipping.
A distinctive brilliant shape
The pear's asymmetry is its charm: a soft curved end tapering to a fine point gives it a graceful, distinctive silhouette that stands apart from symmetrical shapes. Its brilliant facet pattern gives good sparkle, and the elongated body makes it look larger than a round of the same weight, similar to an oval.
In a ring, the point is usually worn toward the fingertip, which lengthens and slims the finger. Pears also make elegant pendants and earrings, where the drop shape hangs naturally. Symmetry matters a lot here: the two sides should mirror each other and the point should line up with the centre of the rounded end, or the stone looks lopsided.
- Teardrop outline: one rounded end, one point
- Brilliant facets give lively sparkle
- Looks large for its carat weight
- Popular for rings, pendants and earrings
Protecting the point and choosing well
The single point is the vulnerable spot, so a pear should be set with a prong, usually a V-shaped claw, cradling the tip. Without that protection the point can chip. This is worth confirming with any pear-cut setting before buying.
As with other fancy shapes, there is no GIA cut grade, so judge the pear on symmetry, length-to-width ratio and its bow-tie. Like the oval and marquise, a pear can show a dark bow-tie across the centre, so check for it in images. A ratio around 1.45 to 1.75 gives a classic teardrop, and the stone should be eye-clean, especially near the exposed point.
- The pear is a teardrop shape with a rounded end and a single point.
- Its brilliant facets sparkle and it looks large for its weight.
- It suits rings, pendants and earrings.
- The point needs a V-shaped prong to prevent chipping.
- Check symmetry and the central bow-tie, since it has no GIA cut grade.
Pear Cut, in short.
Which way does a pear diamond point?
In a ring it is usually worn with the point toward the fingertip, which lengthens and slims the finger. In a pendant the point hangs downward.
Is the point of a pear diamond fragile?
The tip is the vulnerable spot and can chip if unprotected. A setting with a V-shaped prong cradling the point solves this, so confirm your setting protects the tip.
What should I look for in a pear cut?
Good symmetry, with the point aligned to the centre of the rounded end, a pleasing length-to-width ratio around 1.45 to 1.75, an eye-clean stone, and a minimal bow-tie shadow across the middle.
Related terms
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