When it comes to purchasing diamonds, there are four key factors that determine their price and value, collectively known as the 4Cs: Carat Weight, Cut, Color, and Clarity. Each of these elements plays a vital role in shaping the diamond's appearance and cost.
Among these, cut is often considered the most important factor, as it directly impacts how well the diamond reflects light, thus affecting its brilliance and sparkle.
But how does diamond cut relate to the overall value of the stone, and which cut commands the highest price tag?
In this blog, we’ll explore the relationship between diamond shape, cut, and pricing, highlighting the most expensive diamond cuts and why they are priced higher than others.
Diamond Shape vs. Diamond Cut
Before we dive into the specifics of price, it's essential to differentiate between diamond shape and diamond cut—two terms often used interchangeably but with different meanings.
- Diamond Shape refers to the overall outline or form of the diamond, such as round, oval, square, pear, emerald, etc.
- Diamond Cut refers to how well the diamond has been cut and shaped from its rough form to maximise brilliance. This includes the diamond's proportions, symmetry, and finish.
While the shape is the first thing you notice, cut plays the most significant role in determining the diamond's value, sparkle, and ultimately its price.
What is a Diamond Cut?
The cut of a diamond refers to how well the diamond has been shaped from its rough form. Unlike a diamond shape, which describes the outline, cut refers to the craftsmanship involved in shaping the diamond to maximise its brilliance.
A well-cut diamond will reflect light in a way that enhances its sparkle, fire, and brilliance. The cut includes aspects such as proportions, symmetry, and polish.
A diamond's ability to "shine" is determined by how its facets are aligned, how the angles interact with light, and how well it’s been crafted.
Why is Diamond Cut Important?
The cut of a diamond is arguably the most crucial factor in determining its overall visual appeal and price. A well-cut diamond reflects light more effectively, showcasing its brilliance and fire.
When a diamond is cut too shallow or too deep, light escapes, resulting in less sparkle. A diamond cut with ideal proportions reflects light perfectly, making the stone appear brighter and more vibrant.
Diamonds with excellent or ideal cuts will cost more due to the craftsmanship required to achieve the perfect proportions. This precision increases the overall quality of the diamond, making it more desirable and expensive.
Diamond Cut Grades
Diamonds are graded on their cut, which is one of the key factors in determining their overall quality and price. The cut grade evaluates the diamond’s proportions, symmetry, and polish, all of which influence how the diamond interacts with light. The better the cut, the more brilliance and sparkle the diamond will have.
Diamond cut grades are based on specific criteria, including:
- Proportions: The angles and measurements of the diamond’s facets, which determine how light enters and exits the stone.
- Symmetry: The uniformity of the facets’ size and shape. Better symmetry means better light reflection.
- Polish: The surface quality of the diamond. A polished surface helps reflect light and enhances the stone's brilliance.
Most gemological labs use the following standard grading scale:
Excellent Cut
The highest grade, awarded to the top 3% of all diamonds. These stones are expertly proportioned and polished to reflect nearly all incoming light, creating maximum brilliance with little to no light leakage. If you’re looking for the brightest and most sparkling diamond, this is the benchmark.
Very Good Cut
These diamonds reflect almost as much light as Excellent cuts but at a slightly more accessible price point. Representing the top 15% of diamonds, they offer impressive sparkle and are a smart choice for buyers who want to prioritise carat, color, or clarity without sacrificing beauty.
Good Cut
A Good cut captures a decent amount of light and offers noticeable brilliance, though some light leakage is present. Cutters may choose this grade to retain more carat weight or achieve a certain shape. These stones represent about 25% of diamonds on the market.
Fair & Poor Cut
Diamonds with Fair or Poor grades have significant light leakage due to improper proportions (too deep or too shallow). These stones lack brilliance and tend to appear dull. While more affordable, they’re generally not recommended for fine jewellery, especially engagement rings, where sparkle matters most.
At Elora, we exclusively use diamonds with Excellent cut grades for all standard shapes to ensure superior brilliance—only in rare cases for certain special shapes do we consider Very Good cut stones.
What Are the Various Types of Diamond Shapes?
There are several types of diamond shapes, each offering unique beauty and characteristics:
Round Brilliant Cut
The most iconic and expensive cut, the round brilliant features 57 or 58 precisely angled facets that maximize fire and brilliance. It’s a timeless choice for engagement rings and remains the benchmark for light performance.
Princess Cut
This square-shaped cut is the most popular fancy shape and offers sharp lines with excellent sparkle. It’s a modern, clean alternative to the round cut and typically more affordable per carat due to better yield from the rough diamond.
Cushion Cut
A vintage favorite, the cushion cut features rounded corners and a pillow-like shape. It combines old-world charm with strong brilliance and works well in both solitaire and halo settings.
Emerald Cut
Known for its sleek, rectangular facets, the emerald cut emphasizes clarity and elegance over sparkle. Its broad flashes of light, known as the “hall of mirrors” effect, give it a unique, sophisticated look.
Oval Cut
With a similar brilliance to the round cut, the oval’s elongated shape flatters the finger and creates the illusion of a larger diamond. It’s popular among modern brides who want classic sparkle with a twist.
Pear Cut
Also known as the teardrop shape, the pear cut blends the round and marquise cuts into one graceful form. Its tapered point creates a flattering elongation on the finger, and when well-cut, it offers impressive brilliance. Pear diamonds are highly expressive and feminine—perfect for statement-making engagement rings.
Marquise Cut
Featuring pointed ends and an elongated body, the marquise cut maximises perceived carat weight, making it look larger than it is. It’s bold, regal, and excellent for stacking with curved or contour bands.
Asscher Cut
A square-shaped cousin of the emerald cut, the Asscher features step facets and a high crown that offer a deep, mesmerizing shine. It’s particularly popular in vintage-inspired or Art Deco designs.
Radiant Cut
The radiant cut combines the shape of an emerald or square diamond with the brilliant faceting of a round diamond. It delivers excellent sparkle with crisp corners—ideal for those seeking both fire and structure.
The Most Expensive Diamond Cut: Round Brilliant
The Round Brilliant Cut is widely recognised as the most expensive diamond cut. With 58 facets, this cut is specifically designed to maximise brilliance, making it the most sparkling and sought-after diamond shape. The precision required to cut this shape ensures that only the highest-quality diamonds are used, which drives up the price.
Because the round brilliant cut is so versatile and offers exceptional fire and brilliance, it is a staple in engagement rings and fine jewellery. As a result, round diamonds remain the most expensive option per carat on the market.
Why Is the Round Brilliant Cut the Most Expensive?
Round brilliant diamonds are consistently the most expensive cut on the market—and for good reason. First, they require the most rough diamond wastage during cutting. To achieve perfect symmetry and maximum sparkle, a large portion of the original rough is lost in the process. This lower yield directly increases cost per carat.
Second, round diamonds are cut to the highest precision standards. With 57 or 58 facets, each angle must be perfectly calculated to deliver optimal brilliance and fire. This level of craftsmanship takes more time, labor, and skill—factors that all drive up the price.
Lastly, the popularity and universal appeal of round brilliant diamonds contribute to their premium price. Because they’re the most in-demand shape, especially for engagement rings, they often carry a market premium simply due to supply and demand.
In short, you're paying for maximum sparkle, masterful precision, and timeless style, qualities that make the round brilliant cut unmatched in both brilliance and value.
Other Expensive Diamond Cuts: How Do They Compare?
While the round brilliant cut remains the most expensive diamond shape, many fancy-shaped diamonds offer a more affordable alternative, often without sacrificing beauty or brilliance.
Fancy Shapes: Striking Looks, Lower Cost
Cuts like oval, pear, and marquise can be up to 25% less expensive than a round diamond of the same carat weight. Why? These shapes retain more of the original rough diamond during cutting, which means less waste and lower cost. Despite their reduced price, fancy shapes can still exhibit excellent brilliance when well-cut, and their elongated silhouettes often make them appear larger on the finger.
For those who want a diamond that stands out while staying within budget, pear-shaped and marquise cuts offer a bold, elegant alternative. Meanwhile, oval cuts combine classic sparkle with a modern edge and remain one of the most sought-after fancy shapes for engagement rings.
Step Cuts: Elegant, Minimalist, and Even More Affordable
Emerald and Asscher cuts are generally even more cost-effective than fancy shapes. These cuts feature step faceting, which produces broad flashes of light rather than the all-over sparkle of brilliant cuts. Because they require less precision faceting and conserve more of the rough diamond, they’re less expensive to produce.
That said, emerald and Asscher diamonds offer their own unique appeal. With clean lines and mirror-like depth, they radiate a refined elegance and vintage charm, perfect for those who prefer clarity and structure over sparkle.
So, Why Choose a Fancy or Step Cut?
Choosing a diamond cut isn’t just about budget—it’s about personal style. Fancy shapes like pear and marquise offer expressive silhouettes. Oval diamonds balance brilliance and modernity. And emerald or Asscher cuts provide timeless sophistication at exceptional value.
Whether you’re drawn to the unmatched fire of a round brilliant or the sculptural beauty of a step cut, understanding how each cut affects pricing empowers you to find a diamond that fits both your style and your budget.
The Relationship Between Carat Weight and Cut
When considering the price of a diamond, carat weight plays an important role. While larger diamonds can cost more simply due to their size, the cut of the diamond still remains the most critical factor in determining its price per carat. A well-cut diamond will always be more valuable than a poorly cut diamond of the same carat weight.
Find the Perfect Diamond on Your Budget
Choosing a diamond doesn’t have to mean compromising between beauty and budget. With a few thoughtful choices, you can find a piece that sparkles just the way you imagined—without overspending.
Here are a few tips to guide you:
Tip 1: Let your priorities lead the way
Start by thinking about what matters most to you or your partner—is it sparkle, size, uniqueness, or a specific shape? Knowing what you value helps guide every decision that follows.
Tip 2: Don’t underestimate the power of cut
No matter which shape you choose, cut quality plays the biggest role in how brilliant your diamond looks. A well-cut diamond will outshine a larger one with poor proportions—so always aim for Excellent or Very Good cut grades when possible.
Tip 3: Balance across the 4Cs
You don’t need perfection in every category. Choosing a near-colorless diamond (E-F) with eye-clean clarity (VS1–VS2) often gives you more room in your budget for a higher cut grade or slightly larger size.
Tip 4: Explore shape efficiency
Some shapes (like oval or pear) retain more of the original rough diamond during cutting, making them more cost-effective per carat. If you're open to different styles, this can be a smart way to get more visual impact for your investment.
Tip 5: Trust your eye—not just the specs
Grading reports are important, but how the diamond looks to you matters more. Always look at real images or videos, and consider how they perform in different lighting.
If you need further details or would like to explore specific options for engagement rings, don't hesitate to get in touch with us. Finding the perfect diamond should feel as brilliant as the moment you say "I do."