Kite, Trapeze, and Bullet Cut Diamonds Explained
TL;DR: Kite, trapeze, and bullet cuts are geometric fancy shapes typically used as side stones alongside a larger centre stone rather than as a centre stone themselves. Each has a distinct outline — kite is diamond-shaped, trapeze is a four-sided taper, bullet is rounded on one end — chosen to complement a specific centre stone shape.
Kite Cut
A kite cut has four sides forming a rhombus-like shape, pointed at both top and bottom with wider sides in the middle — resembling a traditional kite outline. It's most commonly used as a side stone pairing with elongated centre stones like oval, pear, or marquise, echoing the point of the centre stone.
Trapeze Cut
A trapeze (or trapezoid) cut has four sides with two parallel edges of different lengths, tapering from a wider base to a narrower top. It's a classic side-stone shape for emerald and Asscher cut centre stones, where its straight-edged geometry echoes the step-cut faceting of the centre stone.
Bullet Cut
A bullet cut has one rounded end and one straight or angled end, resembling its namesake. It's typically used as a side stone alongside princess, radiant, or emerald cut centre stones, positioned with the rounded end facing outward.
Why These Shapes Matter
Side stones do real work in a ring's overall design — they frame the centre stone, add width to the setting, and can meaningfully increase perceived size. Choosing a side stone shape that echoes or complements the centre stone's geometry (kite with elongated shapes, trapeze with step cuts, bullet with rectangular shapes) produces a considered, cohesive design rather than a mismatched one.
Designing With Fancy Side Stones at À Vie Diamonds
We can pair any of these shapes with your chosen centre stone as part of a fully bespoke side-stone design. Get in touch to discuss options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What centre stone pairs best with kite side stones? Elongated shapes — oval, pear, and marquise — since the kite's pointed ends echo the centre stone's shape.
Can these shapes be used as a centre stone? Occasionally, for a genuinely unconventional design, though they're most commonly used as side stones framing a larger centre stone.
Last reviewed: July 2026 · À Vie Diamonds