Have you ever wondered why two diamonds of the same carat weight can have drastically different price tags? 💎💰 The secret lies in the shape of the diamond. From the classic round brilliant to the unique marquise, each diamond shape tells a different story—and comes with a different price point.
Choosing the perfect diamond can be overwhelming, especially when you're trying to balance your desires with your budget. But understanding how diamond shapes influence pricing can be your secret weapon in finding that dream stone without breaking the bank. Whether you're searching for an engagement ring or a special gift, knowing the ins and outs of diamond shapes and their pricing can make all the difference.
In this blog post, we'll dive deep into the fascinating world of diamond shapes and their impact on price. We'll explore why round brilliants command top dollar, how fancy shapes offer a blend of uniqueness and value, and the specific factors that affect pricing for each shape. By the end, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to make an informed decision and find the perfect diamond that matches both your style and your wallet. Let's uncover the sparkling secrets of diamond shapes and find out how to look for affordable lab diamond jewelry Vancouver! ✨💍
What Are Different Diamond Shapes Or Diamond Cuts?
The diamond cut is one of the 4Cs of diamond and it refers to the shape or arrangement of the diamond. It determinds how light will refract within the diamond and also the overall appearance of your diamond jewelry. When you are buying a diamond jewelry, the price of custom engagement rings Vancouver is dependent on several factors, such as the diamond cut grade or presence of defects. Moreover, the shape determines the price of 1 carat diamond. The key is to choose the shape which appeals to you the most. Here are some of the popular shapes of diamond cuts:
1. Round Cut Diamond Shape
A round diamond is the most popular diamond shape. These diamonds are the most expensive diamond shape because the round brilliant cut diamond requires the most amount of rough diamond. It also has the most wastage to get an excellent cut, leading to a higher price.
2. Emerald Cut Diamond Shape
The emerald cut diamond shape has a rectangular shape and has truncated corners. These are less expensive than round or princess cut diamonds, but more expensive than cushion cut diamond shapes. The unique look of the emerald cut diamond shape makes it a popular shape for those who prefer vintage diamond engagement rings.
3. Oval Cut Diamond Shape
Oval cut diamonds have been gaining popularity in recent times due to their elongated shape. These are a great choice for people who want diamond jewelry that makes the fingers look longer. The diamond's shape looks bigger than its carat weight, making it a popular choice for customers. The price of oval cut diamonds is similar to emerald diamonds.
4. Cushion Cut Diamond Shape
Cushion cut diamond shapes are a fancy shaped diamond, known for their classic appearance and vintage feel. The brilliant diamond shape is similar to a princess cut diamond, however, it has larger facets making it a more expensive diamond cut.
5. Princess Cut Diamond Shape
Princess cut diamonds are the best diamond shape if you are searching for a diamond shape cut with a trendy and modern appearance. It is the second most popular choice after round diamond rings because their brilliance is similar. The price of a diamond in a princess cut shape is cheaper due to requiring less rough than round diamonds.
6. Pear Shaped Diamond
The pear shape and cut diamond is a combination of two diamond shapes: a marquise and round diamond shape. The radiant cut and unique fancy shape make it a popular popular choice. The price of diamond shapes like pear shaped diamonds costs less than round or princess shaped diamonds.
7. Marquise Cut Diamond Shape
The marquise shape is one of the less popular shapes in the price chart of diamonds. Shapes such as marquise are known for their unique elongated appearance. It is a great choice for people who want a diamond shape with pointed ends, similar to a teardrop shape. This falls under less popular shapes due to its fancy appearance but is still in high demand while also being comparatively less expensive.
8. Radiant Cut Diamond Shape
Radiant cut diamonds are known for their dazzling brilliance and durability. This diamond shape combines the best features of both round and emerald cuts, offering exceptional sparkle with a modern, edgy look. Radiant cut diamonds are often more affordable than round diamonds but slightly more expensive than cushion or oval cuts due to their high demand. Their cropped corners make them a great choice for engagement rings, offering a balance of elegance and strength.
9. Asscher Cut Diamond Shape
The Asscher cut diamond has a vintage, art-deco-inspired design with a square shape and step-cut facets. This diamond shape closely resembles an emerald cut but has a more symmetrical and square-like appearance. Asscher cut diamonds are not as commonly chosen as round or princess cut diamonds, making them a unique choice for those seeking a distinctive yet timeless diamond shape. Their pricing falls in a similar range as emerald cut diamonds, making them a slightly more affordable option compared to round brilliant diamonds.
10. Heart-Shaped Diamond
Heart-shaped diamonds symbolize love and romance, making them a popular choice for sentimental jewelry pieces, including engagement rings and pendants. This fancy cut requires expert craftsmanship to ensure a perfectly symmetrical heart shape. Heart-shaped diamonds generally cost less than round brilliant diamonds but may be priced similarly to pear or oval cuts. Due to their unique shape, they are often chosen by those looking for a meaningful and bold statement piece.
How Shape Influences Diamond's Appearance
The shape of a diamond plays a crucial role in its overall appearance:
- Proportions: Different shapes have unique proportions that affect how light interacts with the stone.
- Facet arrangement: Each shape has a specific facet pattern that influences light reflection and refraction.
- Visual size: Some shapes appear larger than others of the same carat weight due to their cut and proportions.
- Symmetry: Certain shapes require more precise cutting to maintain symmetry and appeal.
How Do Diamond Shapes Affect The Price?
The diamond price depends on the cut quality, the amount of time spent by the diamond cutters for the shape and depending on the market value as well as demand. The shape of a diamond affects its price because every diamond requires a different percentage of the rough diamond.
The Impact Of Shape On Diamond's Brilliance
Diamond brilliance is directly affected by its shape:
- Light return: Shapes with more facets tend to have higher light return, enhancing brilliance.
- Fire and scintillation: Some shapes exhibit more fire (colored light) and scintillation (sparkle) than others.
- Cut quality: Certain shapes are more challenging to cut, affecting overall brilliance.
- Depth and table percentages: These factors vary by shape and influence how light travels through the diamond.
Now that we've explored the basics of diamond shapes and their impact on appearance and brilliance, let's delve into how these factors affect pricing across different shapes.
The Pricing Factors of Different Diamond Shapes
Rarity and demand of specific shapes
The price of a diamond is significantly influenced by its shape, with rarity and demand playing crucial roles. Round brilliant diamonds, being the most popular, often command higher prices due to consistent demand. In contrast, less common shapes like marquise or heart can be more affordable despite their uniqueness.
Cut quality variations among shapes
Different diamond shapes require varying levels of precision in cutting, affecting their overall quality and price:
- Round brilliants: Highest standard for cut quality
- Princess cuts: Require skilled cutting to maximize brilliance
- Emerald cuts: Emphasize clarity, demanding high-quality rough diamonds
Carat weight retention in different shapes
The amount of rough diamond retained during cutting varies by shape, impacting the final price:
- Round brilliants: Lose up to 60% of rough diamond
- Princess cuts: Retain more rough, often resulting in lower per-carat prices
- Emerald and Asscher cuts: Retain significant rough, potentially offering better value
Labor intensity in cutting various shapes
The complexity and time required to cut different shapes affect their cost:
- Round brilliants: Most labor-intensive, contributing to higher prices
- Fancy shapes: Generally less time-consuming, potentially more affordable
- Specialized cuts (e.g., hearts): Require expert craftsmanship, increasing cost
Now that we've explored the pricing factors, let's delve into why round brilliant diamonds command the highest prices in the market.
The Most Expensive Diamond Shape
What’s the most expensive diamond? The answer to this question is the round shaped diamond. The round cut diamond require the most rough and also produces the most waste to create the round shape. Meanwhile, fancy shapes like princess cut or cushion cut diamonds cost relatively less.
The Cheapest Diamond Shape
The least expensive diamond shapes are the marquise and pear shaped diamonds. Every diamond shape require different cutting techniques, which influences the appearance and the price of natural or lab grown diamond ring Vancouver. The price of the diamond shapes of the same carat may differ due to such reasons.
Conclusion
The cut quality and carat weight of the diamond plays a huge role in determining its price. During your next diamond purchase, whether you are looking for a square shape diamond or asscher cut diamond, you will now be aware of how the shape affects the price!
Searching For The Right Diamond Shape For Your Engagement?
We will help you find your preferred diamond shape for your perfect engagement. Find diamonds of all shapes at SMC Diamonds!