Are you wondering which cut is the best diamond cut? What about the most expensive one? From fancy elongated shapes to dazzling square designs, diamonds have captivated shoppers for centuries. However, if there’s one thing that we all know about these coveted stones, whether a mined stone or a lab grown diamond, it’s that they can cost a pretty penny. Whether you’re in the market for a diamond engagement ring or if you just like shopping around, you might be wondering, “which diamond cut is the most expensive?” And the truth is, not all cuts are created(or priced) equal.
In this article, we’ll break down the difference between diamond shape and diamond cut. We’ll also explore how diamond cuts are graded and answer the burning question, what is the most expensive diamond cut? Read on to find out.
What Is Diamond Cut and Why Does it Matter?
While the terms diamond cut and diamond shape are often used interchangeably, they’re actually two different things. The shape of a diamond refers to the stone’s outline or external figure. Princess cut diamond, round brilliant cut diamond, radiant cut diamond, and Asscher cut diamond are all examples of different diamond shapes. Diamond cut, on the other hand, represents a diamond’s facets, symmetry, reflective qualities, and dimensions. The quality of diamond cut has a direct impact on the way that a diamond looks, from its brilliance to its fire.
The Diamond Pro put it this way, “A heart shaped diamond [ring], for instance, may be cut shallow or deep, dull or brilliant. These factors don’t affect the shape of the diamond – after all, it’s still heart shaped – but they do affect its cut.”
How Is Diamond Cut Graded?
The Gemological Institute of America(GIA) assigns each a diamond cut grade from one of the four following categories: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair & Poor. Not only does a stone’s cut quality impact its light performance, it also affects its price.
What Other Factors Affect Price?
All diamonds are graded according to the 4Cs of diamond quality – cut, carat, color, and clarity. However, these are not the only factors that can impact a diamond engagement ring’s overall price tag. Things like manufacturing costs, the stone’s face-up size, and its durability will also play a role in the final cost of a diamond.
The Most Expensive Diamond Cut
The most expensive diamond cut is the round brilliant because it wastes the highest amount of rough stone – around 60% on average – during the cutting process. This large quantity of discarded material means that consumers will pay for a larger stone than they end up with to help cover costs.
Not only is a round diamond the most expensive diamond cut to manufacture, but it’s also the most in-demand stone shape for diamond engagement rings and many diamond jewelry styles. In fact, nearly 75% of all diamonds sold worldwide are round brilliant cuts. With stats like that, it’s not hard to see why the demand for these sparkly gemstones drives prices up, especially as stones increase in carat weight.
Despite the sticker shock, many consumers are adamant that a round cut diamond is the way to go. The main reason that stones in this style are so beloved is their unmatched sparkle. The round brilliant cut offers captivating fire and brilliance, out-sparkling every other popular diamond shape. Additionally, round brilliant cut diamonds pair nicely with nearly every engagement ring setting, making them truly versatile stones that look beautiful in any design.
If you have your heart set on this expensive diamond shape but are afraid to break the bank, there are a few things that you can do to make the cost more affordable. First, aim for a stone with a carat size that’s just under 1.0. Visually, you won’t be able to tell much of a difference, but this small change could save you up to 40% less in the long run. Next, don’t be afraid to play around with the 4Cs. While you won’t want to skimp on cut grade, there’s room for flexibility when it comes to clarity and color grade. Round cut diamonds are good at masking internal flaws, so you can easily find a stone for a lower price that might have some slight inclusions that can’t be seen with the naked eye.
The Least Expensive Diamond Cut
If your perfect diamond isn’t round, rejoice in knowing that you will be saving some cold hard cash. Unlike a round brilliant cut diamond which wastes over half of its rough material during the cutting process, fancy shapes such as pear cuts, oval cuts, and marquise cuts, offer far more yield. Diamond cutters waste even less rough diamond when crafting other popular shapes such as the emerald cut diamond, the Asscher cut diamond, and the cushion cut diamond.
Fancy cut diamonds such as the pear shaped diamond and the marquise cut diamond both offer a unique elongated design that’s uncommon in many engagement rings and fine jewelry pieces. These funky stones are perfect for the person who loves to stand out from the crowd. Alternatively, the oval cut diamond is another fancy shape that is much more classic in design. Oval cut stones are elegant and make for a dreamy center stone.
Asscher cut diamonds, and emerald cut diamonds are what often come to mind when one pictures a vintage piece. Both the Asscher cut engagement ring and the emerald cut engagement ring feature a unique design element referred to as step cuts, where the facets are arranged in parallel lines to one another on all four sides. The distinctive look gives off a 1920s Art Deco-vibe that adds a fun twist to any diamond ring or piece of diamond jewelry.
Sources
https://www.diamonds.pro/education/shapes/
https://lexiejordanjewelry.com/blogs/posts/what-is-the-most-expensive-diamond-cut
https://www.withclarity.com/blog/2020/07/22/most-expensive-diamond-cut/