Jewelry ·

What Is The Most Expensive Diamond Cut?

Humanity first began proposing with diamonds in the 1400s, and it has stayed a heartfelt tradition throughout the centuries. Expressing your love by finding the perfect diamond can be such a special way to show someone how you feel about them. However, there is much to consider when choosing a diamond. Diamonds each come in different carats, cuts, clarity, and colors, all of which affect how much one can end up paying for a diamond. While most are familiar with how carat affects the diamond price, the cut of a diamond can be just as, if not more, important than the carat.

Why Is Diamond Cut Important?

The cut of a diamond is important to the overall appearance. The way the gem is cut can affect how the light is reflected off of its surface. If a diamond is cut perfectly, it should sparkle and shine from every angle. According to Sears, there are five different cut grades that a diamond can be classified as:

  1. Excellent
  2. Very good
  3. Good
  4. Fair
  5. Poor
An excellent cut grade indicates a "highly reflective and proportionately" cut diamond, while a poor cut grade shows a dull and less proportionate diamond. Diamonds with an excellent grade will come with a heftier price tag.

What Are Diamond Shapes?

There are many different shapes one can cut a diamond in and, like the cut grade, the desired shape affects the price as well. The most common diamond shapes are:

  • Round Brilliant
  • Emerald
  • Oval
  • Princess

What Diamond Shape Is The Most Expensive?

Both the most popular and most expensive cut for a diamond is the round brilliant. Due to its circular shape, the round brilliant requires more precision and can be tedious for the lapidary who is cutting the diamond. It has 58 facets that are especially reflective of white light, which gives it a shiny or sparkly appearance. These 58 facets also help to classify it as a 'brilliant' cut. The round brilliant's look has been crafted over centuries, but its popularity allows lapidaries to give the classic look a more modern feel. The price for a round brilliant ranges depending on the carat, for a 0.5-carat gem it can be anywhere around $1,500 USD. The more expensive 2.0-carat round brilliant can bear a price of up to $29,000 USD in some cases.
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