Which cut diamond is most expensive

Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds: The Reigning Champions

The round brilliant cut diamond stands as the most expensive diamond cut on the market today. This classic shape accounts for more than 75% of all diamonds sold worldwide, and for good reason. When you visit our jewelry store in Fresno, CA, you’ll notice that round brilliant diamonds typically command a premium of 25-30% over other shapes of the same carat weight and quality.

What makes round brilliant cut diamonds so valuable? The answer lies in a perfect storm of factors:

• Maximum Brilliance: The 57-58 facets of a round brilliant cut are mathematically designed to maximize light return, creating unparalleled sparkle and fire. This precision cutting results in a diamond that reflects nearly 100% of the light that enters it, something no other cut can achieve.
• Higher Rough Diamond Wastage: Creating a round brilliant cut requires cutting away approximately 60% of the original rough diamond—significantly more than other cuts. This material sacrifice drives up the price substantially.
• Timeless Demand: Since their development in the early 20th century, round brilliant diamonds have never gone out of style, making them a consistent investment. They remain the most popular choice for engagement rings in Fresno, CA and beyond.
• Superior Light Performance: The round brilliant’s facet arrangement provides superior dispersion (the rainbow effect), scintillation (the sparkle when the diamond moves), and brilliance (the white light return).

At Gobind Jewelers, our collection of round brilliant diamonds showcases this cut’s remarkable ability to mask slight color tints and inclusions, making them appear cleaner and whiter than other cuts of equivalent grading. When set in our wedding rings in Fresno, CA, these diamonds create a stunning centerpiece that stands the test of time.

Oval Cut Diamonds: Elegant Alternatives

While not as expensive as round brilliants, oval cut diamonds have gained significant popularity in recent years, especially for those seeking rings in Fresno, CA with a distinctive look. This elongated shape creates the illusion of greater size—appearing up to 10% larger than a round diamond of identical carat weight.

Oval cuts typically cost about 15-20% less than round brilliants of comparable specifications, making them an excellent value proposition. Their elongated shape flatters the finger, creating a slimming effect that many wearers appreciate. This has contributed to their surging popularity, especially after celebrities began showcasing oval engagement rings.

What makes oval diamonds special in terms of value:

• Efficient Cutting: Oval cuts waste less of the original rough diamond compared to round brilliants, allowing cutters to preserve more carat weight.
• Brilliant Facet Pattern: Featuring a modified brilliant facet arrangement, oval diamonds deliver impressive sparkle that rivals round cuts.
• Versatility: Ovals work beautifully in various settings, from solitaire wedding rings for women in Fresno, CA to elaborate halo designs.

One consideration with oval diamonds is the potential for a “bow-tie effect”—a dark area resembling a bow tie that can appear across the center. At Gobind Jewelers, we carefully select oval diamonds with minimal bow-tie effect, ensuring maximum brilliance across the entire stone.

Emerald Cut Diamonds: Sophisticated Statements

Emerald cut diamonds represent sophistication and architectural beauty. These step-cut diamonds typically cost 15-25% less than round brilliants of equivalent quality, but they offer a distinct, elegant appeal that has made them a favorite among connoisseurs and those seeking jewelry in Fresno, CA with timeless style.

The emerald cut’s rectangular shape with trimmed corners features a series of parallel facets that create a unique “hall of mirrors” effect. Rather than the explosive sparkle of brilliant cuts, emerald cuts offer flashes of light and dark—a more subtle, sophisticated play of light.

Why emerald cuts command respect in the diamond market:

• Technical Precision: Creating a beautiful emerald cut requires exceptional skill and precision. The large, open table and step-cut facets leave nowhere for inclusions to hide, meaning clarity becomes paramount.
• Lower Production Costs: The cutting process wastes less of the original rough diamond compared to round brilliants, resulting in better yield and generally lower prices.
• Celebrity Endorsement: Iconic figures from Grace Kelly to Amal Clooney have chosen emerald cut diamonds, cementing their status as a sophisticated choice.
• Art Deco Appeal: Their geometric precision makes them perfect for vintage-inspired bracelets in Fresno, CA and other Art Deco-style jewelry.

At Gobind Jewelers, we recommend emerald cuts of VS2 clarity or higher to ensure their open facets remain free of visible inclusions. When paired with our earrings in Fresno, CA, emerald cuts create a sophisticated statement that stands apart from more common brilliant cuts.

Pear Cut Diamonds: Unique Teardrops

Pear cut diamonds, with their distinctive teardrop shape, combine the brilliance of a round cut with the elongating effect of a marquise. These unique stones typically cost about 10-15% less than round brilliants of the same specifications, yet they offer exceptional visual impact and are increasingly popular for diamond earrings in Fresno, CA.

The pear cut’s asymmetrical shape creates a slenderizing effect on the finger when worn in rings, while its brilliant facet pattern ensures impressive sparkle. This combination of unique shape and brilliant sparkle makes pear cuts an excellent choice for those seeking something distinctive without sacrificing light performance.

What drives the value of pear cut diamonds:

• Complex Cutting: Creating a perfectly symmetrical pear shape requires exceptional skill, with the point neither too sharp nor too rounded, and shoulders that maintain perfect symmetry.
• Versatility: Pear cuts can be worn with the point facing up or down, giving the wearer multiple styling options in rings in Fresno, CA.
• Size Illusion: Like oval cuts, pear shapes appear larger than their actual carat weight, offering excellent value for those seeking maximum visual impact.
• Distinctive Presence: Pear cuts stand out in a sea of round diamonds, making them perfect for those wanting to make a unique statement.

When selecting pear cut diamonds at Gobind Jewelers, we pay special attention to the bow-tie effect and ensure proper length-to-width ratios (ideally between 1.45:1 and 1.75:1) for optimal aesthetic appeal. These considerations help ensure our pear cuts look magnificent whether set in tennis necklaces in Fresno, CA or statement rings.

Cushion Cut Diamonds: Vintage Romance

Cushion cut diamonds blend the softness of a pillow shape with the brilliance of a round cut. These romantic stones typically cost 15-25% less than round brilliants of equal quality, making them an excellent choice for those seeking vintage-inspired gold chain in Fresno, CA and other jewelry with historical flair.

With their rounded corners and larger facets, cushion cuts excel at dispersing light, creating a beautiful rainbow effect (dispersion) that many diamond enthusiasts prize. While they don’t have quite the brilliance of round cuts, their charm lies in their unique fire and distinctive character.

Factors that influence cushion cut diamond pricing:

• Cutting Efficiency: Cushion cuts can be fashioned from rough diamond crystals with less waste than round brilliants, contributing to their lower price point.
• Historical Significance: The modern cushion cut evolved from the old mine cut, giving it vintage appeal that commands interest from collectors and those seeking Pandora bracelets in Fresno, CA and other pieces with character.
• Varied Proportions: Cushion cuts come in various length-to-width ratios, from nearly square to more elongated rectangles, offering flexibility in design and preference.
• Chunky vs. Crushed Ice: Different faceting patterns create either “chunky” cushions with larger, more distinct facets or “crushed ice” cushions with a more fragmented appearance, affecting both price and visual appeal.

At Gobind Jewelers, we offer both traditional cushion cuts and modern hybrid cuts that incorporate additional facets for enhanced brilliance. These stones complement our wedding rings in Fresno, CA collection, providing a romantic alternative to more common cuts.

Cut Comparison: Price vs. Value

When comparing diamond cuts by price, a clear hierarchy emerges. Based on current market trends and our experience at Gobind Jewelers, here’s how the major diamond cuts rank from most to least expensive (for diamonds of equivalent carat, color, and clarity):

1. Round Brilliant: The most expensive cut, commanding a 25-30% premium
2. Marquise: Often the second most expensive due to cutting complexity
3. Pear: Combines elements of round and marquise, with moderate premium
4. Oval: Growing in popularity, with prices increasing accordingly
5. Heart: Specialty cut with emotional appeal but technical challenges
6. Cushion: Vintage appeal with moderate pricing
7. Princess: Popular square cut with good value
8. Emerald: Elegant step-cut with excellent value
9. Asscher: Step-cut similar to emerald but square-shaped
10. Radiant: Combines step-cut shape with brilliant faceting

This pricing hierarchy reflects not just consumer demand but also production factors. When visiting our jewelry stores in Fresno, CA, our experts can demonstrate how these price differences translate to real-world value depending on your priorities.

Value, however, extends beyond mere price. A diamond that shows exceptional light performance, ideal proportions, and superior craftsmanship may represent better value despite a higher price tag. At Gobind Jewelers, we help customers understand this balance between cost and quality to make informed decisions about their jewelry in Fresno, CA.

Other Factors Affecting Diamond Price

While cut shape significantly impacts diamond pricing, several other factors work alongside cut to determine a diamond’s final value. Understanding these can help you make better purchasing decisions when shopping for engagement rings in Fresno, CA or other diamond jewelry.

• Cut Quality: Beyond the shape, how well a diamond is cut affects its price dramatically. Excellent-cut diamonds command premiums of 10-20% over poorly cut stones of the same shape.
• Carat Weight: Diamond prices increase exponentially with size. A 2-carat diamond typically costs significantly more than twice the price of a 1-carat diamond of equal quality.
• Color Grade: Diamonds with higher color grades (closer to colorless) command higher prices, particularly in shapes like emerald and ass