PEARS

Pear-shape diamonds, once a grand dame in jewelry, are staging an epic comeback in the engagement and commitment ring arena. One pear-shape diamond and one pear-shape emerald light up the magnificent Toi et Moi engagement ring Megan Fox received from Machine Gun Kelly who collaborated on the piece with designer Stephen Webster. Adele won’t admit she’s engaged but the stunning pear shape diamond ring, she has been wearing on the third finger of her left hand certainly looks as though she said “yes.” The most recent Bachelor, Clayton Echard, didn’t propose but he did pre-select a pear-shape diamond ring from Neil Lane who has been a proponent of the diamond shape for years.

Pear-shape diamonds have a long history that stretches all the way back to the 18th century when they were called pendeloques and often set in earrings and pendants. The 1960s was the last time pears were as popular as they are now. During the era, Elizabeth Taylor acquired her famous 69.42-carat pear-shape, which eventually became known as the Taylor-Burton diamond. In 1966 when singer Frank Sinatra proposed to actress Mia Farrow with a 9-carat pear shaped diamond flanked by two tapered baguettes, the engagement ring made headline news.

From a gemological perspective, pears are one of the most difficult shapes for lapidaries to cut because of their lopsided form. In fact, some experts believe the art of diamond cutting is best expressed in a pear shape with 56 to 58 facets.

Today pear shape diamond rings come in a wide variety of styles. The tear drop form is used in open rings and highlights wide gold bands. Pears provide an exclamation point of glamorous jewels. They transform into a point of interest when they are turned on an angle in artistic designs. Diamond pears provide a rhythmic pattern in eternity bands.

“Personally, I’ve always favored pear-shaped diamond engagement rings, as they are just more unique than your typical oval and round cuts,” explains stylist Jason Rembert whose clients include Lizzo, Mary J. Blige and Hailee Steinfeld. “Also, you get way more bang for your buck with a pear-cut diamond because of its elongated shape; it looks much bigger than a round solitaire.” It’s a yummy fact about pears.