The weekend is upon us, and you know what that means. It’s time for another round of engagement ring shopping. By now, you have probably spotted similar rings with varying prices. What causes these discrepancies? The short answer is several factors. For example, some diamonds might have more imperfections that can’t be seen with the naked eye. Others might have slight color differences.
Pricing also changes depending on a diamond’s shape. Want to know how your ideal diamond is affected? We’re about to tell you more!
Diamond Shape vs. Diamond Cut
But first, let’s set you straight with a couple of important definitions. Diamond shape refers to the actual shape or outline of a stone. You can find diamonds in a variety of shapes, such as round, square and oval.
As you’re researching engagement rings, you’ll also come across the term “diamond cut,” one of the most important characteristics upon which diamonds are graded. Unlike diamond shape, “cut” instead indicates how well a gem’s facets (aka flat polished surfaces) interact with light. A gem’s cut plays a role in its cost too. But for now, we’ll just focus on shape.
Diamond Shape and Price
So, how are diamond shape and price connected? It primarily has to do with the cutting process. After natural and lab grown diamonds are created, gemologists use special equipment to transform them from rough stones into beautiful gems. Different methods are used to achieve each diamond shape, and chunks of the original stone are discarded during each procedure. Price is then determined based on how much of that original diamond is wasted.
According to jewelry experts, about 20-60% of a diamond can be discarded by the time it becomes a finished gem. In princess cut gems, for example, only 20% of the original diamond needs to be removed. That means princess shapes are generally more affordable than some other diamond shapes. Here’s a good rule of thumb: You’ll pay more per carat for a diamond if more of the original stone is lost during the cutting process.
Demand for certain diamond shapes also drives up cost. While “fancy” shapes, like oval and princess, have been growing in popularity, traditional round diamonds are still the top choice among engaged couples. In fact, The Knot’s Jewelry & Engagement Study found that more than 40% of pairs opted for this shape in 2021. Therefore, round diamonds will cost more per carat simply because they’re popular.
How Expensive is Your Ideal Diamond?
Your ideal diamond should ultimately depend on your partner’s tastes and lifestyle. If they prefer the classic sparkle of round diamonds, keep in mind that these stones are also most expensive. In addition to consumer demand, about 60% of the rough diamond is wasted when producing a stunning, polished version.
If you’re looking for something more affordable and unique, you can’t go wrong with a fancy cut diamond. These options range from oval and princess to emerald and cushion shapes. To give you an idea on pricing, here are rough costs for each shape from the International Gem Society. Note: These diamonds weigh 1.00 carat and have been given an “excellent” cut grading as well as a “near colorless” rating.
Round: $7,300
Pear: $5,800
Marquise: $5,600
Oval: $5,400
Princess: $4,800
Emerald: $4,500
Cushion: $4,200
Asscher: $4,100
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Discover how the shape of a diamond impacts its price in this comprehensive guide. From traditional round cuts to trendy radiant and marquise cuts and beyond, learn how to make the best decision when buying a diamond for your dream engagement ring or fine jewelry.
When purchasing a diamond, the shape is crucial to take into account because it directly affects the price. Due to market demand, more significant manufacturing costs, and their extraordinary brilliance, round diamonds, the most common diamond form, typically cost more than other shapes- known as fancy shaped diamonds.
Why Are Some Diamonds More Expensive Than Others?The most common and costly diamonds are round ones. This is because cutting round diamonds produces the most waste and calls for more raw diamonds to be used. Although cheaper, princess cut and cushion cut diamonds are still in high demand because of their distinctive faceting patterns.
For elongated shapes like oval cut and emerald cut diamonds they have fewer facets but still provide excellent clarity, making them even cheaper. The least expensive possibilities are pear shaped and marquise cut diamonds because they are less common, but they are still excellent choices for people who value distinctive and attractive diamond forms.
Shape Vs. Price ChartCheck out this price comparison of 1 carat diamonds in every shape. We’ll give you the price differences between lab and earth created diamonds, all of a VS1 clarity and G color grade.
Diamond ShapeLab Created Diamond Prices Earth Created Diamond PricesRound$1,400$5,690Oval$1,680$4,320Princess$1,540$4,240Cushion$1,590$3,100Pear$1,780$4,840Emerald$1,310$3,570Radiant$1,490$3,400Asscher$1,300$3,770Marquise$1,780$5,520What Is The Most Expensive Diamond Shape?Round diamonds are the most popular, and most costly diamond shape for a reason. They’re roughly about 65% more expensive than the least expensive diamond shapes. Here are some pros of choosing a round cut diamond:
Overall, people looking for a traditional, adaptable, premium diamond with superb brilliance and sparkle should consider round cut diamonds.
What Is the Cheapest Diamond Shape?The pear or marquise cut is often the least expensive diamond form. Because they are less common than round, princess, and cushion cuts, these diamond shapes are less expensive. It’s crucial to remember that a diamond’s price is also influenced by carat weight, color, clarity, and cut quality.
As a result, even though pear and marquise cut diamonds may be less expensive, the cost can still change depending on these additional aspects. They might, however, be a fantastic choice for individuals on a tight budget who yet desire a distinctive and attractive diamond form.
A Closer Look At Each Diamond ShapeRound diamonds are the most popular and sought-after diamond shape, and for good reason! These diamonds are the most expensive due to their brilliance, cut, and demand. Round diamonds require more rough diamond to be cut, and they also have the highest wastage during the cutting process, making them more expensive to produce.
Princess cut diamonds share a similar fire and brilliance to round diamonds. They are a modern and trendy choice, but cheaper than round cuts. These diamonds have a unique faceting pattern that makes them appear larger than they are, which adds to their value.
Cushion cut diamonds are a classic choice and have a vintage feel, especially when paired in a halo ring setting. Not only is their appearance similar to princess cut diamonds, but they’re not too far behind in price. Cushion cut diamonds have larger facets that create a distinctive, soft glow, which increases their value.
Emerald cut diamonds are always in style and rocked by some of your favorite celebrities. They have fewer facets, which means they show more clarity, but can potentially show more flaws. Their price is lower than that of round, and princess cut diamonds but higher than that of cushion cut diamonds.
Oval cut diamonds have become most popular in recent years due to their elongated shape, which makes the fingers appear longer and slimmer. Their price is similar to that of emerald cut diamonds, which are also part of the elongated diamond family.
Pear shaped diamonds are dimensional and elegant. They combine a round and marquise shape, making them a popular fancy shaped diamond choice for engagement ring shoppers. Their price is lower than that of oval cut diamonds.
Marquise cut diamonds have a bold, pointed shape that elongates the finger. They are becoming more popular as a modern-day diamond choice, and their price is similar to that of pear shaped diamonds.
To Sum It UpThe shape of a diamond affects its price significantly. As a general rule, remember that round diamonds are usually more expensive than other fancy shaped diamonds. Each diamond shape has its own pros and cons, so it’s important that you take the time to shop for a diamond shape you love with the exact qualities you or your partner will appreciate.
Have questions about picking the right diamond for your engagement ring or other fine jewelry pieces? Contact one of our experts at JamesAllen.com anytime, and we’ll be happy to offer you expert advice or a free diamond consultation.
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