Lab Diamond Shape Guide
In this guide, we'll go through everything you need to know about lab diamond shapes.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
What are Diamond Shapes?
Diamond shapes refer to the shape that the diamond is cut into. Each shape is specifically cut to fit into a certain type. The shapes have different attributes such as the way they reflect light, so each diamond shape has its unique features. Just like natural diamonds, lab diamonds are cut front he rough in the same popular diamond shapes.
Type of Lab Diamond Shapes
Cushion
A cushion lab diamond shape is square, but it has rounded corners. It has a similar light, sparkle and brilliance to the round lab diamond. The soft, rounded corners make it a great option for everyday wear because it's naturally more protected. They are a more affordable option than round diamonds.
Emerald
Emerald shaped lab grown diamonds are rectangular and step cut. They have large open facets, which give a perfect view of the diamond. This is referred to as the “hall of mirrors” display. During the manufacturing process, very little diamond is wasted. Therefore, they are much more affordable than diamond shapes like round ones. Emerald lab created diamonds have a vintage look to them.
Marquise
The marquise lab diamond shape is bold and poplar. It's similar to the pear shaped diamond, however, both ends have a tapered point. They are elegant and timeless. Due to the pointed tips on both ends, marquise diamonds sometimes require extra care.
Oval
Oval lab grown diamond shapes have 57 to 58 facets, making them bright with good color dispersion. Oval brilliants are both contemporary and traditional. Oval diamonds are known to be more durable than other shapes, due to not having any hard edges or sharp points that could be worn down. They make great engagement rings, especially since their elongated shape makes them appear large.
Pear
Pear lab created diamond shapes are quite similar to oval diamonds, however, they have a tapered point at one end, giving them the pear shape. They too have 58 facets, displaying brilliant light. The pointed tip can be fragile and can need extra protection and care.
Princess
The princess lab shaped diamond is the second most popular diamond shape around the world. It offers a contemporary and clean look with its perfectly square shape. They are more affordable than round diamonds of the same carat weight. Rather than being round, princess cut diamonds have sharp corners.
Round
Round lab made diamonds are the most popular shape. They are iconic and known for having the brightest sparkle of all the other diamond shapes. Over 2/3 of all diamonds that people purchase are round. They are designed to show the maximum amount of light interaction possible, from their 57-58 facets. Round brilliant diamonds are typically more expensive than other diamond shapes.
Radiant
The radiant lab grown diamond shape is a mix of emerald and asscher shape. It also has the brilliance of the round diamond. It has 70 facets, so it offers more sparkle than any other diamond cut. It has beveled corners, making it very durable. Radiant cut diamonds can look similar to cushion cut diamonds, however, their facets are smaller, which scatters light into more sparkle.
Asscher
Asscher lab created diamond shapes are a square step cut design. They are somewhere in the middle of an emerald and princess cut. They produce the effect called “hall of mirrors” just like the emerald cut does. This diamond shape has clipped corners, which can be called octagonal. This shape is rare yet just as beautiful as the others.
How Diamonds are Cut into Shapes
Diamonds are cut into shapes with a laser, saw, and/or steel blade. A groove is first cut, then the diamond is split with the blade. Sawing refers to when a diamond saw is used to cut a large diamond into a few different pieces, which a laser can also do. This is what gives diamonds their main shape before going more into detail. When it comes to cutting diamonds, there are three main facet structures. These include brilliant-cut, step-cut, and mixed cuts. Just as with natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds are grown as a rough, often in a rectangular shape. This actually makes round diamonds more affordable to cut than with natural diamonds.
Difference Between Diamond Shapes and Diamond Cuts
The diamond shape is the outline of the diamond. This is their geometric shape, such as round, rectangular, square, octagonal or oval. It is the most general way to define a diamond cut.
A diamond cut is a type of science, much more elaborate than the shape. It takes into consideration angles, distances, and light. Well-cut diamonds have the perfect balance of brilliance and light, along with their levels of shadow.
FAQs
Which diamond shape is the most expensive? Which is best for your engagement ring?
Round diamond shapes are the most expensive. This is largely due to it being the most popular diamond shape choice worldwide, over half of diamonds sold are round.
The best diamond shape for your engagement ring ultimately depends on preference, style, and budget. However, the most classic choice is a round diamond. This is due to their excellent sparkle and brilliance.
What is the difference between diamond cut and diamond shape?
The diamond shape references the diamond outline and/or the geometric shape. Diamond cut, on the other hand, refers to the effect of things like symmetry and polish, in addition to optical precision and dispersion.
Which Diamond Shape has the most sparkle?
The round diamond shape produces the most sparkle. This is from the 58 facets it has, ensuring ample light can pass through and create excellent sparkle. After the round diamond, radiant, cushion, and marquise shapes all offer great sparkle too.
Which Diamond Shape is the rarest?
The rarest diamond shape is the asscher diamond and the radiant cut diamond. For the asscher shape, in addition to being unique and beautiful, something else that contributes to its rarity is the fact that there are under 75 people on the planet that know how to cut this diamond shape perfectly. Radiant cut diamonds are also a rare diamond shape, due to the demand for these being lesser than most other diamond shapes.
Which Diamond Shape looks the largest?
Pear diamond cuts and oval diamonds typically appear to be the largest, especially compared to more compact diamond shapes such as round brilliant or square diamonds. This is because they take up more space, especially from an above view. A marquise diamond shape also has a large look, due to the amount of space it can take up on your finger, along with oval diamonds.
