Diamond Ring Resale Value By Shape

How Diamond Shape Affects Resale Value

A good deal of a diamond’s value comes from the four C’s: carat, clarity, color, and cut. However, there is a fifth factor, the shape, which is often used to determine the value of a diamond by those in the industry.

A diamond’s shape is important because it tells the jeweler how much of the diamond was “shaved off” to make the final shape. This process is critical because different shapes use a different percentage of diamond in their final form. Surprisingly, it’s often the most shaved diamond that is the most expensive, such as round shapes.

Difference Between Diamond Shape and Diamond Cut

Many think cut and shape are the same, but this isn’t true at all. A diamond’s shape is the simple geometrical shape of the stone, such as a rectangle, square, or rounded shape. A diamond’s cut, however, is the properties of the stone itself to reflect light; cut refers to the jagged characteristics or smooth characteristics of the stone which make it totally unique and able to reflect and manipulate light in unique ways.

Typically, a diamond’s cut is more important in terms of its value than its shape, but the shape is still important and a significant factor when determining the value of a diamond. A rough or raw diamond needs to be both cut and shaped, but these two processes are entirely different.

Diamond Shapes with the Highest Resale Value

Typically, four shapes will have the highest diamond ring resale value:

• Round
• Princess
• Oval
• Cushion

These four shapes are the “most desirable” although they usually use less of the diamond than other shapes; that is, they shave more of the diamond during the shaping process.

Round diamonds lead the market as the most popular and valuable because of the way they reflect light.  These diamonds are highly sought after and have high demand.

What is the Least Valuable Diamond Shape?

Emerald diamonds are rectangular in shape and have step-like cuts on all sides. These diamonds usually appear to be larger because they use more of the initial diamond, but they’re actually the least valuable. Many people don’t like the shape of an emerald diamond, driving down their resale value. In addition, emerald diamonds seem so much bigger because of their surface value, which gives off the illusion of grandiosity when it reflects light.