Advice
Diamond Types & Education
Shapes, cuts and the grading fundamentals every buyer should understand.
Common Diamond Shapes
| Shape | Best For | Relative Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Round Brilliant | Maximum sparkle | Highest (most wasted rough) |
| Oval | Elongating, appears larger | Moderate |
| Cushion | Vintage-inspired softness | Moderate |
| Emerald Cut | Clarity showcase, art-deco look | Lower (less waste) |
| Princess | Modern, geometric | Lower (less waste) |
The Four Cs, Briefly
Cut affects sparkle more than any other factor and is the one 'C' entirely within human control. Color and clarity matter most at the extremes — most buyers can't see the difference between adjacent grades in the middle of each scale. Carat is simply weight, not a quality measure on its own.