How Does Lab Grown Diamond Shape Affect its Price

Are you considering a lab-grown diamond for your engagement ring or next jewelry piece? Understanding how the shape of a diamond affects its price can help you make an informed decision. In this post, we’ll explore everything from the most expensive shapes to budget-friendly options, and how to get the best value for your money.

Understanding Lab-Grown Diamond Shapes

Diamonds come in various shapes, each with its charm and characteristics. Lab-grown diamonds are made in a lab, making them more sustainable and often more affordable than mined diamonds. However, the shape still plays a crucial role in determining the price. Common shapes include:

Round Brilliant Cut

The round brilliant cut is by far the most popular diamond shape out there, and it’s easy to see why! With its stunning beauty and higher price tag, it's a sought-after choice. This cut has 58 carefully crafted facets that really make it shine, brilliantly reflecting light. Its timeless elegance makes it a top pick for engagement rings and fine jewelry, capturing the hearts of anyone who loves the art of diamond cutting!

Princess Cut

Featuring sharp, clean lines, the princess cut diamond offers a modern twist on traditional styles. Its unique faceting pattern creates a stunning display of light. The princess cut diamond is the second most popular shape after the round brilliant cut, offering similar brilliance at a lower cost due to the more efficient use of the rough diamond during the cutting process.

Oval Cut

An elegant alternative to the Round Brilliant, oval cut diamonds have an elongated shape that gives the appearance of greater size and makes fingers look longer and slimmer. Oval cut diamonds are known for their brilliance, durability, and cost-effectiveness compared to round diamonds.

Cushion Cut

Also known as the “pillow cut,” this shape combines a square or rectangular form with rounded corners, offering a vintage charm that blends old-world appeal with contemporary style.

Emerald Cut

The emerald cut diamond is known for its rectangular shape and step-like facets, which highlight the clarity of the stone. Its big, open table lets light shine through especially, showing off the diamond’s inner beauty and giving it a classy, elegant look. Emerald cut diamonds offer good value for money and appear larger per carat due to their elongated shape.

Asscher Cut

Similar to the Emerald Cut, the Asscher Cut features a square shape with step-cut facets, creating a mesmerizing “hall of mirrors” effect that highlights the diamond’s clarity.

Marquise Cut

Marquise cut diamonds have an elongated shape with pointed ends that maximize carat weight and create a dramatic, eye-catching look. Known for their historical origins, marquise cut diamonds are often compared in price to other shapes, offering a unique boldness and growing popularity.

Round Cut Diamonds: The Most Expensive Diamond Shape

Round cut diamonds are the most sparkly and timeless so they are the most popular shape for engagement rings. But this popularity comes at a price, round cut diamonds are the most expensive shape on the market.

One of the main reasons round brilliant cut diamonds are so expensive is the amount of rough stone that is wasted during the cutting process. On average 60% of the original rough diamond is lost in the cutting process. So essentially you are paying for a bigger stone than you get and that adds to the cost. The round brilliant cut diamond is the most expensive diamond shape for this reason and its popularity.

The round brilliant cut in particular is designed to reflect light so it has the most sparkle and fire. This cut has 58 facets carefully arranged to maximize brilliance. The precision required to cut these facets also adds to the cost as it requires skilled craftsmanship and technology.

Besides the cutting process, the demand for round cut diamonds also affects the price. As the most popular shape for engagement rings, round cut diamonds command a premium because of their popularity and classic look. This high demand keeps round cut diamonds at the top of the price chart compared to other shapes.

In short, the round cut diamond is expensive because of the rough stone waste, the complexity of the cut, and its timeless appeal. But many think its sparkle and classic look is worth it for a symbol of forever love.

Related Read: Round vs. Cushion Cut Lab Grown Diamond: All You Need To Know

Fancy Cuts: More Affordable Alternatives

When you’re looking into lab-grown diamonds, the shape matters. Round diamonds are super popular and therefore the most expensive because of high demand and the amount of rough diamonds that get wasted during cutting. The round brilliant cut is the most expensive diamond because of its popularity and the cutting process. But if you want to save some cash without sacrificing sparkle, fancy cuts are the way to go!

Fancy cuts are any diamond shape other than round, like princess, cushion, emerald, oval, pear, marquise, and heart shapes. These are more affordable because they use more of the original rough diamond, resulting in less waste and lower production costs. 

For example, a princess cut uses about 80% of the rough diamond, while a round cut only uses about 50%. The round brilliant cut is the most expensive diamond shape because of the amount of rough diamonds wasted during the cutting process.

If you want something unique but budget-friendly, ovals, cushions, and emerald cuts are the way to go. Ovals shine just like a round diamond but usually cost less. Plus its elongated shape can make it look bigger, score for budget-conscious buyers!

Then you have the cushion cut, with its rounded corners and larger facets. It enhances the diamond’s brilliance and does a great job of hiding inclusions, a smart choice.

Emerald cuts are all about elegance with their step-cut facets and sleek shape. They may not sparkle as much as round or oval cuts but their clarity and vintage vibe attract those who like a more classic look.

And don’t forget marquise and pear cuts! The marquise cut is elongated with pointed ends, more carat weight for a bigger look. Pear shaped diamonds are a combination of round and marquise shapes for a teardrop shape that’s both elegant and striking. They have a unique visual and can be an alternative to more expensive traditional cuts.

Here’s a pricing table for lab-grown diamonds based on current market prices as of September 2024. This table includes various shapes and factors such as clarity, cut, color, and carat weight:

These prices can vary based on specific characteristics and market conditions.

How Cutting and Yield Affect the Price

When discussing how lab-grown diamond shapes affect their price, it’s essential to understand the roles of cutting and yield. These factors significantly influence the final cost of a diamond, whether lab-grown or natural.

Cutting

Cutting is all about transforming a rough diamond into a stunning, polished gem. It takes some serious skill and precise techniques to bring out the diamond's brilliance and symmetry. The cut plays a huge role in how the diamond looks and its value. 

A well-cut diamond catches the light beautifully, making it super sparkly and desirable. But getting that level of precision takes time and talent, which is why it can be pricey. Some shapes, like round brilliants, are trickier to cut because of their complex facets, so they often cost more than simpler cuts like emerald or cushion.

Yield

Yield is an important aspect to consider, as it’s all about how much of the rough diamond is left after cutting and polishing. A higher yield means we’re keeping more of that original stone, which is great for the wallet! For example, round diamonds usually have a lower yield because we lose more material while getting those perfect proportions. On the other hand, cuts like princess or radiant tend to have higher yields since they hold onto more of the rough diamond’s weight.

The relationship between cutting and yield plays a big role in figuring out the price of lab-grown diamonds. A diamond that has both a high yield and a quality cut is usually more valuable because it makes the most of the rough material while looking stunning. On the other hand, if a diamond has a low yield, it might end up being pricier because of the extra waste and labor needed to get that perfect cut.

Other Factors That Influence Pricing by Shape

Brilliance and Fire

You know that sparkle and fire you see in a diamond? That’s all about how it reflects light and creates those colorful flashes, and it affects the price. Shapes that bring out these qualities, like round cuts, usually cost more because they perform better with light.

Popularity and Demand

Certain diamond shapes just have that “wow” factor that makes them super popular! For example, round and princess cuts are like the rock stars of the diamond world, which drives up their prices. Trends and celebrity endorsements also shape what people want, impacting prices even more.

Cut Complexity

The way a diamond is cut can change its price. If a shape needs a lot of skill and precision—think marquise or heart cuts—you can expect to pay a premium. That intricate cutting takes time and effort, and those labor costs show up in the final price.

Size Perception

Some diamond shapes can give the illusion of being larger than others, even if they’re the same carat weight. For instance, elongated shapes like oval or pear cuts can make the stone look bigger, which can make them more appealing and often pricier. This perception can influence what buyers choose and how pricing strategies are set.

All these factors play a role in the different prices of lab-grown diamonds based on their shape, so it's super important for buyers to think about what they want and their budget when picking out a diamond!

How to Choose the Best Shape for Your Budget

Choosing the right shape for lab-grown diamonds can be overwhelming, especially for beginners. The shape affects the price, so understanding this can help you make a smart choice.

Round brilliant cuts are the most popular and typically the priciest due to their exceptional sparkle, but they also result in more of the rough diamond being cut away. If you want to stretch your budget, consider fancy shapes like oval, cushion, or princess cuts, which are usually 60-90% cheaper as they retain more of the rough diamond.

Oval and cushion cuts can make your diamond appear larger without the high cost, while princess cuts offer a modern look at a lower price point. When selecting the perfect shape, consider the style and preferences of the wearer alongside the price. If sparkle is your priority, a round brilliant cut might be worth the investment. For something unique that offers great value, an oval, cushion, or princess cut could be the ideal choice!

Lab-Grown Vs. Mined Diamond Pricing by Shape

Lab-grown diamonds are typically more affordable than mined diamonds, regardless of shape. The controlled environment and reduced production costs contribute to their lower prices.

When comparing lab-grown and mined diamonds by shape, you'll find that the price differences are consistent. Round lab-grown diamonds will still be more expensive than fancy cuts, but both will generally cost less than their mined counterparts.

Opting for lab-grown diamonds allows you to enjoy the beauty and brilliance of diamonds at a fraction of the cost, making them an excellent choice for budget-conscious shoppers.

Here’s an updated comparison table for lab-grown vs. mined diamonds, including cut, clarity, and color:

Conclusion

Understanding how the shape of a lab-grown diamond affects its price can help you make a smart choice. Whether you’re an engaged couple on the hunt for the perfect ring, a sustainable shopper looking for ethical options, or just a jewelry lover exploring new trends, it’s super important to know what influences diamond prices.

By thinking about the shape, cutting process, and other factors, you can find a gorgeous diamond that matches your style and fits your budget. Plus, with lab-grown diamonds, you get all the beauty and sparkle for a lower price! So, are you ready to find your perfect diamond? Start exploring today and discover the shape that’s just right for you!