Round diamonds, especially on larger sizes, have a more sparkly appearance similar to glitter. They are generally preferred by beginners because they are easier to put on the canvas without needing to have straight lines - the exact placement of the pieces is a lot more forgiving without needing too much adjustment. This shape works better on larger sized artworks because it is generally faster to place. Since they have no corners, round diamonds can create some visible gaps in the picture. These are most visible for smaller size canvases. However, from a distance, the gaps are compensated by the colour of the background and become unnoticeable.

Square drills create sharp lines and clean picture since they fit together very nicely with no gaps. Though it requires some skill to line up the square diamonds perfectly, the finished artwork can be incredibly rewarding. Experienced veterans with a steady hand may opt for this shape to bring a bit of challenge to their craft. Square diamonds may be preferred when creating smaller canvases due to the longer time taken and no gaps between the pieces, but is still a suitable choice up to medium-large size artworks. Many fans of Square drills also find pleasure on how the pieces create a satisfying “snap” sound when they fit into place.