Which diamond cut is more expensive

Round Brilliant Cut

The Round Brilliant cut is consistently the most expensive diamond cut on the market, and for good reason. Developed in the early 20th century, this cut features 57 or 58 facets (including the culet) meticulously arranged to maximize light return and brilliance. The precision required to create this cut results in more diamond rough being lost during the cutting process—typically 60% of the original stone—which significantly contributes to its higher price.

What makes the Round Brilliant particularly desirable is its unmatched sparkle. The facet arrangement creates optimal light performance through three visual effects: brilliance (white light reflected from the diamond), fire (colored light dispersion), and scintillation (the sparkle when the diamond moves). This exceptional light performance has made Round Brilliant cuts the gold standard for engagement rings in Fresno and worldwide.

The demand for Round Brilliant diamonds remains consistently high, with approximately 75% of all diamonds sold being this cut. This enduring popularity, combined with the greater wastage in production, keeps prices for Round Brilliant diamonds approximately 25-35% higher than fancy cut diamonds of comparable carat weight and quality. If you’re shopping for diamond earrings in Fresno, you’ll notice this price premium across all jewelry pieces featuring this prestigious cut.

Oval Cut

The Oval cut diamond, a modification of the Round Brilliant, offers an elegant elongated shape while retaining much of the brilliance of its round counterpart. Price-wise, Oval cuts typically cost 10-25% less than Round Brilliant diamonds of the same carat weight and quality, making them an excellent value proposition for budget-conscious shoppers looking for maximum visual impact.

The elongated shape of Oval diamonds creates an illusion of greater size—appearing up to 10% larger than Round diamonds of the same carat weight. This “face-up” size advantage makes Oval cuts increasingly popular for rings in Fresno and other fine jewelry.

One consideration with Oval cuts is the potential for a “bow-tie effect”—a dark shadow that may appear across the center of the diamond due to light leakage. The visibility of this effect varies between stones, so it’s important to visually inspect each Oval diamond. At Gobind Jewelers, we carefully select our Oval diamonds to minimize this effect while maximizing brilliance and value.

The growing popularity of Oval diamonds, partly fueled by celebrity engagement rings, has been steadily increasing their price in recent years, though they remain more affordable than Round Brilliant cuts. Their versatile shape works beautifully in various jewelry settings in Fresno, from classic solitaires to halo designs.

Princess Cut

The Princess cut, with its square shape and pointed corners, is typically the second most popular diamond cut and offers excellent value. Priced approximately 20-30% less than Round Brilliant diamonds of comparable quality, Princess cuts have become a favorite choice for those seeking a contemporary aesthetic without the premium cost of a Round diamond.

Developed in the 1960s, the Princess cut is relatively modern and features a distinctive pyramid shape with numerous facets (usually 57 to 76) that create impressive brilliance and fire. The cutting process for Princess diamonds is more efficient than for Round Brilliants, with less raw material wasted—typically retaining 60-70% of the rough diamond compared to the Round’s 40-50%. This efficiency in production is directly reflected in the lower price.

Princess cut diamonds look striking in various wedding ring settings in Fresno, particularly in channel settings where the geometric lines of the diamonds complement the setting design. The square shape also allows Princess cuts to be set side-by-side without gaps, making them ideal for eternity bands and multi-stone bracelets in Fresno.

When shopping for Princess cut diamonds, it’s important to consider that their pointed corners make them more susceptible to chipping than other cuts. Protective settings, such as V-prongs or bezels, are recommended to safeguard these vulnerable areas and ensure the longevity of your investment.

Cushion Cut

The Cushion cut, with its rounded corners and larger facets, combines a vintage feel with modern brilliance. This romantic cut typically costs 25-30% less than Round Brilliant diamonds of comparable quality, positioning it as an excellent option for those seeking classic elegance at a more accessible price point.

Cushion cuts have a rich history dating back over 200 years, previously known as “old mine cuts.” The modern Cushion cut maintains the charming pillow-like shape while incorporating contemporary cutting techniques to enhance brilliance. The larger facets of Cushion cut diamonds showcase the stone’s clarity and color beautifully, making them especially attractive in higher color grades.

The versatility of Cushion cuts makes them suitable for various jewelry styles in Fresno, from vintage-inspired settings to modern designs. Their soft corners provide durability advantages over cuts with pointed corners, reducing the risk of chipping and making them practical for everyday wear in earrings in Fresno or pendants.

While traditional Cushion cuts are known for their chunky, dramatic fire rather than the sparkle of Round Brilliants, modern variations like the “crushed ice” Cushion cut offer a different visual effect with more numerous, smaller facets. These variations allow for personalization while maintaining the cost advantage over premium cuts.

Emerald Cut

The sophisticated Emerald cut, with its step-cut facets and rectangular shape, typically costs 25-35% less than Round Brilliant diamonds of similar quality. This significant price difference makes Emerald cuts an attractive option for those seeking a larger stone or a distinctive, elegant look without the premium associated with Round diamonds.

Unlike brilliant cuts that focus on maximizing sparkle, the Emerald cut’s step-cut faceting creates a different kind of beauty—one that emphasizes clarity and elegant flashes of light rather than sparkle. The large, open table and long, rectangular facets act almost like mirrors, reflecting light in broad flashes. This unique optical performance has made Emerald cuts increasingly popular for women’s wedding rings in Fresno.

The Emerald cutting process is more efficient than that of Round Brilliants, preserving more of the original rough diamond and contributing to the lower price point. The elongated shape also creates an illusion of greater size, providing excellent value in terms of visual impact per dollar spent on tennis necklaces in Fresno and other statement pieces.

One important consideration with Emerald cuts is that their large, open facets can make inclusions more visible. For this reason, it’s generally recommended to select Emerald cut diamonds with higher clarity grades (VS2 or better) to ensure the stone’s transparent beauty isn’t compromised by visible imperfections.

Pear Cut

The Pear cut, combining elements of Round Brilliant and Marquise cuts, offers a distinctive teardrop shape that typically costs 15-25% less than Round Brilliant diamonds of comparable quality. This blend of elegance and value has made Pear cuts increasingly popular for statement rings in Fresno and pendants.

The elongated shape of Pear cut diamonds creates an illusion of greater size and can have a slimming effect when worn on the finger. The unique silhouette also allows for creative setting options, with many wearers choosing to position the pointed end toward their fingertips to create a lengthening effect.

Pear cuts require skilled craftsmanship to achieve proper symmetry and proportion. The ideal length-to-width ratio is typically between 1.5:1 and 1.75:1, though this can vary based on personal preference. Like Oval cuts, Pear diamonds may exhibit a bow-tie effect, so careful selection is important. At Gobind Jewelers store in Fresno, we meticulously evaluate each Pear diamond to ensure optimal light performance.

The pointed tip of a Pear cut requires protection, making V-prong or bezel settings popular choices for these diamonds. When properly set, Pear cut diamonds make striking centerpieces for bracelets in Fresno and other fine jewelry, offering a blend of classic and contemporary appeal at a more accessible price point than Round Brilliant diamonds.

Asscher Cut

The Asscher cut, with its octagonal shape and stepped facets, offers Art Deco elegance at approximately 15-25% less than Round Brilliant diamonds of similar quality. Developed in 1902 by the Asscher Brothers of Holland, this distinctive cut has experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly among those drawn to vintage-inspired jewelry in Fresno.

Often described as a “square Emerald cut,” the Asscher features a higher crown and smaller table than its rectangular counterpart, creating a more dynamic visual effect often called the “hall of mirrors.” The step-cut faceting emphasizes clarity over sparkle, making higher clarity grades (VS2 or better) advisable for this cut.

The cutting process for Asscher diamonds is more efficient than for Round Brilliants, contributing to their lower price point. Traditional Asscher cuts feature 58 facets, while modern variations may include additional facets to enhance brilliance while maintaining the distinctive geometric appeal that makes them popular for gold chain pendants in Fresno.

The clean lines and architectural quality of Asscher cuts make them particularly striking in simple, elegant settings that showcase the diamond’s unique characteristics. Their symmetrical shape works beautifully in three-stone rings, where the geometric precision creates a harmonious overall design.

Marquise Cut

The dramatic Marquise cut, with its elongated shape and pointed ends, typically costs 10-25% less than Round Brilliant diamonds of similar quality. Legend has it that this cut was commissioned by King Louis XV of France to resemble the smile of his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour, giving it a romantic history that appeals to many engagement ring shoppers in Fresno.

The Marquise cut’s elongated shape creates the illusion of greater size—appearing larger than other diamond cuts of the same carat weight. This “size advantage” makes it an excellent value proposition for those wanting maximum visual impact. The shape can also create a slenderizing effect on the finger when oriented vertically.

Similar to other fancy cuts, the Marquise benefits from the efficient use of rough diamond material compared to Round Brilliants, contributing to its lower price point. The ideal length-to-width ratio for Marquise diamonds is typically between 1.75:1 and 2.25:1, though this can vary based on personal preference.

One consideration with Marquise cuts is protecting the pointed ends, which are vulnerable to chipping. V-prong or bezel settings are recommended to safeguard these areas. Additionally, some Marquise diamonds may exhibit a bow-tie effect, making careful selection important. At Gobind Jewelers, we help customers choose Marquise diamonds that balance beautiful proportions with excellent light performance.

Radiant Cut

The Radiant cut, combining the elegant outline of Emerald cuts with the brilliance of Round cuts, typically costs 15-30% less than Round Brilliant diamonds of comparable quality. Created in 1977 by Henry Grossbard, the Radiant cut was designed to capture the geometric appeal of step-cut diamonds while maximizing brilliance through additional faceting.

Featuring cropped corners and a complete faceting pattern on both crown and pavilion, Radiant cuts display impressive fire and brilliance—second only to Round Brilliants in light performance among rectangular shapes. This makes them popular choices for