The Most Expensive Diamond Cut - How Shape Impacts Spend

By Tiffany Moore

While some of the most expensive, multi-million diamonds in the world are valued so because of their size, purity and color, generally speaking, diamonds are priced based on their shape and cut quality, among other influencing factors.

Diamond cut imparts brilliance and fire which are the key aspects of the unique beauty of diamonds. While some shapes are more popular than others and new shapes enter the the scene from time to time, there is a classic cut that maintains its top spot as the queen of all diamonds; the round brilliant. What Is The Most Expensive Diamond Cut? And Why?

Round cut diamonds are the most expensive shape of diamond on the market. When cut for optimal light performance, round cut diamonds pull out all the stops with a perfectly symmetrical silhouette that bounces light from every facet. They sparkle more than any other diamond and never go out of style.

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Ideal Round Cut Diamonds

How Cut and Shape Affects Price

The Cut: How Diamonds Interact with Light

The cut of a diamond influences how effectively it reflects light. When you hear “cut,” think beyond shape, such as round or oval, and focus instead on the precision of the diamond’s:

Angles
Proportions
Facet alignment

A well-cut diamond returns more light to the eye, producing greater sparkle, brilliance, and fire.

What Sets A CUT ABOVE® Diamonds Apart

Round brilliant diamonds are the only shape for which the GIA provides a formal cut grade, ranging from Excellent to Poor. At Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® super ideal diamonds are consistently graded at the highest level, crafted for exceptional light performance that’s immediately visible.

These diamonds typically command higher prices, not only because of their visual impact, but also due to the greater amount of rough that must be cut away, sacrificing yield to maximize brilliance.

The Shape: A Diamond’s Outline and Its Effect on Pricing

Diamonds are available in a variety of shapes:

Round
Oval
Pear
Emerald
Princess and more

While shape often comes down to personal preference, it also plays a significant role in pricing. This is primarily due to the considerable amount of rough diamond that is lost during the cutting process.

Round brilliant diamonds are the most expensive, not just because they’re the most sought after, but also because they involve the most significant material loss and require exact cutting. As a result, round diamonds can cost 25–35% more than fancy shapes of the same carat, color, and clarity.

Balancing Budget and Brilliance: The Value of Fancy Shapes

If you're looking to maximize size and value, shapes like oval, pear, or marquise are worth exploring. They retain more of the original rough and offer a distinctive look with excellent light performance, especially when cut to a high standard. For additional savings, consider emerald or Asscher cuts.

These step-cut styles produce less sparkle but offer a refined, elegant appearance at a lower price point. They are less labour-intensive to cut and preserve more of the rough, making them a more cost-effective choice.

Realizing Which Round Cut Diamonds Are Worth It

Round diamonds are generally the most expensive shape, yet these diamonds can be further categorized into grades.

GIA and AGS graded diamonds are considered best in class. AGS in particular has a strict grading system that uses tens of thousands of computer calculations to determine cut quality.

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Making it to top-grade status indicates diamond cutting that meets the requirements of the rigorous AGS light performance grading system. Passing a sophisticated mathematical algorithm involving computerized tracing of tens of thousands of light rays, these diamonds are extremely precise, with craftsmen going to the nth degree to achieve ultimate beauty.

Many diamond cutters, unfortunately, cut corners when preparing diamonds. Since carat weight is often associated with value, it is common to see diamonds cut to maximize weight, rather than remove excess material to achieve the best fire and brilliance.

Well-educated consumers now understand bigger is not always best. Quality of cut and the light performance you can enjoy are important to consider.

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Least Expensive Diamond Cuts

Carat for carat, assuming overall quality is similar, almost every shape (referred to as ‘fancy shapes”) will be less expensive than rounds. This is due to the economics of the yield from the rough. Pears, princess cuts, ovals, emerald cuts and other popular diamond shapes are generally cheaper by 15% or more. The exceptions are proprietary or patented novelty cuts that are exclusive and are sold for premium prices by their vendors.

This gives diamond shoppers a way to save some money if they are attracted to a fancy shape. Every diamond cut caters to its own audience, so it truly depends on what you want from your next special purchase.

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How to Get the Best Deal for a Round Cut on a Budget

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Shop Under the Carat Mark for Big Savings

When purchasing a round brilliant diamond, the carat weight has a significant impact on the price. Round diamonds are cut to maximise sparkle and brilliance, but this precision also comes with a higher cost, particularly at certain weight milestones. For example, a one-carat round diamond might cost around $6,000.

A diamond weighing just under one carat (such as 0.90 to 0.99 carats) can appear nearly identical in size, yet cost up to 40% less. This price difference is due to sharp increases at whole-carat thresholds. By choosing a diamond just below the one-carat mark, you can achieve a similar visual impact while making a more cost-effective purchase.

Prioritize Cut Quality Over All Else

The most important rule when buying any diamond is to never compromise on cut quality. This is especially important for round diamonds, as they are known for their incredible light performance and sparkle. A top-tier cut, like the Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE®, will make your round brilliant truly stand out.

While you can ease slightly on color and clarity, a super ideal cut will mask minor imperfections and enhance brightness, even in lower color grades. If you’re going for a warmer color like J or K, pairing it with a yellow or rose gold setting can help the diamond appear whiter by contrast.

Explore High-Quality Options from Reliable Dealers

Not all diamonds are created equally. It’s vital to shop from a reputable dealer that provides detailed information about their diamonds. Whiteflash’s in-house inventory of GIA-graded and AGS-graded round brilliants ensures you’re seeing the highest level of cut craftsmanship.

With options like HD imagery and advanced light performance analytics, you can evaluate your options thoroughly, without guesswork. Ultimately, your diamond should reflect your priorities, whether that’s:

Sparkle
Size
Symbolism

And with a cut as timeless and brilliant as round, you’re investing in a classic that never goes out of style.

Precision-Cut Stones and Designer Settings Under One Roof

When it comes to selecting the perfect engagement ring or diamond jewelry, you want to make the right choice with complete confidence. Whiteflash offers an extensive collection of loose diamonds, including our precision-cut Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® collection and lab-grown options, alongside designer engagement ring settings from renowned names like Tacori and Verragio.

Our comprehensive diamond search tools, detailed grading reports, and high-definition imaging enable you to compare cuts, evaluate VVS-quality diamonds, and understand exactly what you're purchasing before making a purchase.

From Loose Stones to Bespoke Rings: Your Journey Starts Here

With our GIA-trained team available to guide you through the selection process, you have access to both the premium inventory and expert knowledge needed to make an informed decision, whether you're building:

A custom ring
Choosing from our curated collection
Exploring our Houston showroom

From loose diamonds to complete engagement rings, we provide the quality, transparency, and service that make your investment worthwhile.

What about a Lab-Grown Round Diamond Cut?

Round lab-grown diamonds are stunning gems. Their classic shape and incredible sparkle make them the most popular diamond shape for engagement rings, and they’re the most expensive diamond cut, even in the lab-grown category.

Why Are Round Lab-Grown Diamonds Also Expensive?

Cut quality is just as crucial for lab-grown diamonds as it is for natural ones, and it plays a significant role in determining price. Among all shapes, the round brilliant cut remains the most expensive, even in the lab-grown category, and with good reason.

Round brilliant diamonds feature 57 or 58 precisely placed facets designed to maximise light return, producing exceptional sparkle, fire, and brilliance. Achieving this level of optical performance, whether the diamond is lab-grown or mined, requires:

Meticulous cutting
More material needs to be removed from the rough
Additional labor is required

Cutting Complexity and Cost in Lab-Grown Round Brilliants

The result is a lower yield from the original crystal, which naturally drives up the cost. Although lab-grown diamonds are generally more affordable than natural stones, the cutting process for round brilliants remains complex and resource-intensive.

As a result, round brilliant lab-grown diamonds still carry a higher price per carat than fancy shapes such as:

Oval
Cushion
Emerald Cut

Why Cut Quality Matters Most for Lab Diamonds

Because lab-grown diamonds tend to be higher in clarity and colour, cut quality becomes the key differentiator. A poorly cut lab diamond, no matter how good the clarity or color, won’t perform well visually. That’s why, at Whiteflash, we recommend prioritizing Excellent or Ideal cut grades, especially if you’re investing in a round shape.

Whiteflash’s Precision Lab line includes round brilliant lab-grown diamonds that are cut to exacting standards to maximise light performance, ensuring you get the most brilliance and fire from your diamond, even if it’s lab-created.

Find your Dream Engagement Ring and Loose Diamonds at Whiteflash Today!

Whiteflash: The Place to Buy Diamonds Online

When it comes to buying a diamond, Whiteflash stands out for its incredible selection and superior quality. The Houston-based online retailer specializes in ideal-cut diamonds with plenty of sparkle. Whiteflash's A CUT ABOVE® diamonds are so well cut that they face up whiter than other comparable diamonds.

Their impressive collection even includes diamonds graded by the GIA as “superior” and “beyond.” Whiteflash also offers a great selection of designer engagement ring settings, allowing you to find a beautiful mounting to complement your sparkling white diamond.

Sourcing The Best Diamond Shape & Setting With Whiteflash

You might be convinced that a round brilliant is destined to be your next important diamond purchase. And we have some of the most exceptional on the market.

Our internationally recognized super ideal diamond brand, A CUT ABOVE®, sits at the pinnacle of diamond cut quality and light performance All are AGS certified and posted to our site with a comprehensive set of diagnostics and advanced light performance images. And best of all, they are also in-stock and available immediately, exclusively from Whiteflash.

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