Baguette Diamond

The baguette is a narrow, elongated step-cut diamond with sharp 90-degree corners and minimal faceting. It is the most common side stone in fine jewelry, prized for its clean, architectural look that complements virtually any center stone shape.

At a Glance

Price vs Round: Significantly less than round brilliant for equivalent weight. Sold primarily in melee parcels for side stone use.
Popularity: The most widely used side stone in fine jewelry. Rarely used as a center stone.
Sparkle: low

Best For

side stones in three-stone ringschannel-set wedding bandsArt Deco designsgeometric accent patternsstep-cut stack rings

Setting Ideas

Channel set: the classic baguette application, stones sit between two metal walls
Flanking a center stone: matched pair of baguettes on either side of a round, cushion, or emerald center
Bezel set: full metal surround protects the corners and creates clean lines
Bar set: metal bars between individual baguettes in a row
Geometric cluster: multiple baguettes arranged in Art Deco patterns

Related Shapes

Is a baguette diamond a good choice?

Baguette diamonds are known for low brilliance with 14 facets. They're popular for side stones in three-stone rings and channel-set wedding bands. Here are the trade-offs.

Why people love it

+The most versatile side stone. Pairs with virtually any center shape.
+Clean, architectural aesthetic that never looks dated
+Very affordable compared to brilliant cuts
+Creates elegant geometric patterns in channel settings
+Low profile sits flush and won't catch on clothing

Things to know

−No sparkle or fire. Designed for clean elegance, not brilliance.
−Inclusions are highly visible. VS2 clarity minimum.
−Rarely suitable as a standalone center stone
−Color shows more than in brilliant cuts. H or better recommended.

How big is a baguette diamond? (MM to carat)

A 1-carat baguette diamond measures approximately 8 x 4 mm. Here are the most common sizes from 0.25 ct to 5 ct.

Carat Weight	Size (mm)
0.25 ct	5 x 3 mm
0.33 ct	5.5 x 3 mm
0.5 ct	6.5 x 3.5 mm
0.75 ct	7.5 x 4 mm
1 ct	8 x 4 mm
1.25 ct	8.5 x 4.5 mm
1.5 ct	9 x 5 mm
2 ct	10 x 5 mm
2.5 ct	11 x 5.5 mm
3 ct	12 x 6 mm

View full baguette size chart → with all sizes from melee to 5+ carats.

How to buy a baguette diamond

•Buy baguettes as matched pairs (or sets) with consistent length, width, and color
•VS2 clarity minimum. Step cuts show everything. SI stones will have visible inclusions.
•Match the color grade to your center stone or go one grade higher since baguettes show color more
•Verify measurements carefully. Baguettes are sold by mm dimensions as much as carat weight
•For channel settings, specify exact mm dimensions to your setter. Tolerances are tight.
•Straight vs tapered: straight for parallel settings, tapered for rings that curve or taper

What makes a baguette diamond unique?

The baguette cut dates to the 1920s Art Deco movement, where its geometric precision and clean lines became synonymous with modern luxury. The name comes from the French word for 'rod' or 'stick,' describing its elongated rectangular shape. What makes baguettes unique among diamond cuts is their extreme simplicity. With only 14 facets (compared to 57-58 in a round brilliant), baguettes have very little internal light refraction. Instead, they produce a clean, transparent, icy appearance. This means clarity is critical: inclusions that would be invisible in a brilliant cut are immediately apparent in a baguette. Most jewelers insist on VS2 or better clarity for baguettes. Baguettes are almost exclusively used as accent or side stones rather than center stones. Their most common application is flanking a center stone in a three-stone ring, creating channel-set wedding bands, or forming geometric patterns in Art Deco-style jewelry. A matched pair of baguettes is one of the most classic accent stone choices in engagement ring design. There are two main variations: the straight baguette (perfectly rectangular with parallel long sides) and the tapered baguette (one end narrower than the other, used when the stone needs to follow a curve or taper along a band). Both are step cuts with the same facet structure.

How much does a baguette diamond cost?

Baguette diamonds are priced at significantly less than round brilliant for equivalent weight. sold primarily in melee parcels for side stone use.. Price depends on carat weight, color, clarity, and cut quality. For a personalized estimate, use our diamond price estimator.

Estimate baguette diamond price →

Technical Specifications

Facets: 14
Brilliance: low
L:W Ratio: 2.5:1 to 5:1 (varies widely depending on application)

Diamond Buying Guide·All Diamond Shapes·Price Estimator·Baguette Size Chart

Last updated: 2026-08-12

At a Glance

Price vs Round: Significantly less than round brilliant for equivalent weight. Sold primarily in melee parcels for side stone use.
Popularity: The most widely used side stone in fine jewelry. Rarely used as a center stone.
Sparkle: low

Best For

side stones in three-stone ringschannel-set wedding bandsArt Deco designsgeometric accent patternsstep-cut stack rings

Setting Ideas

Channel set: the classic baguette application, stones sit between two metal walls
Flanking a center stone: matched pair of baguettes on either side of a round, cushion, or emerald center
Bezel set: full metal surround protects the corners and creates clean lines
Bar set: metal bars between individual baguettes in a row
Geometric cluster: multiple baguettes arranged in Art Deco patterns

Related Shapes

Frequently asked questions

Is a baguette diamond a good choice?

Yes, as a side stone or accent in fine jewelry, but rarely as a center stone. Baguettes offer a clean, architectural look with only 14 facets and pair with virtually any center shape. They are very affordable compared to brilliant cuts, but inclusions show easily and you need VS2 clarity or better.

How big is a 1-carat baguette diamond?

A 1-carat baguette measures approximately 8 x 4 mm. Baguettes are sold by millimeter dimensions as much as carat weight, so always verify exact measurements when ordering for a specific setting.

How much does a baguette diamond cost?

Baguettes cost significantly less per carat than round brilliants for equivalent weight. They are sold primarily in melee parcels for side stone use, making them one of the most economical accent stone options in fine jewelry.

What is the best setting for a baguette diamond?

Channel setting is the classic baguette application, with stones sitting flush between two metal walls. A matched pair flanking a center stone in a three-stone ring is the other standard use, pairing beautifully with round, cushion, or emerald center stones.

Are baguette diamonds only used as side stones?

Almost exclusively, yes. Baguettes are the most common side stone in fine jewelry and are rarely suitable as standalone center stones due to their minimal 14-facet structure and low brilliance. Their strength is clean, icy elegance that complements a sparkling center without competing for attention.