The Art of Diamond Cutting & How Shape Influences Value
The Art of Diamond Cutting & How Shape Influences Value
Every Diamond Tells a Story
At JK Schmidt Jewellers, we believe every diamond tells a story — one that begins long before it finds its way into your jewellery box. That story starts with cutting, a skill that transforms a rough crystal into a masterpiece.
The Role of Diamond Cutting
Diamond cutting is a precise and highly skilled process. It’s not just about shaping the stone — it’s about maximizing brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Even the finest diamond rough can appear lifeless if cut poorly, while a smaller stone can sparkle spectacularly with an excellent cut.
Cut involves proportions, symmetry, and polish. Together, these determine how light enters the diamond, reflects, and returns to your eye.
That’s why “cut” is often considered the most important of the 4Cs (cut, colour, clarity, and carat weight).
Round Brilliant – The most popular and timeless, known for unmatched sparkle thanks to its 58 facets.
Princess Cut – Square and modern with plenty of brilliance.
Oval Cut – Elegant and elongating, with soft curves and excellent sparkle.
Emerald Cut – Rectangular with long step facets for a sophisticated “hall of mirrors” effect.
Cushion Cut – Soft, romantic square or rectangular with rounded edges.
Marquise Cut – Pointed ends create a flattering, elongated look.
Pear Cut – A graceful teardrop shape that’s both unique and flattering.
Radiant Cut – A hybrid that blends the sparkle of round cuts with the shape of emeralds.
Heart Cut – Romantic and distinctive, with a charming heart shape and vibrant sparkle.
Why Shape & Popularity Affect Price
You might expect diamonds of the same quality (in colour, clarity, and carat) to have similar prices — but shape and popularity can make a big difference.
Round brilliants, for example, are often more expensive per carat than other shapes. This is partly because they require more of the rough diamond to be cut away, and partly because they are in the highest demand. Similarly, certain shapes like ovals and cushions have risen in popularity in recent years, leading to higher prices due to market demand.
