| Diamond
Shapes and Cutting Styles
Your
purpose for buying the diamond--pleasure or investment. If
you're buying a diamond for personal pleasure, any shape you
like can be a good choice. But if resale for profit is your
goal, you need to consider what shapes are most in demand
and are likely to stay in demand.
If the
diamond is less than three carats in weight, you are more
likely to find a buyer for a round diamond. For stones over
three carats, you will probably find it hard to find an immediate
buyer no matter what shape you buy, mainly because so few
people can afford investment quality diamonds that size. However,
fancy shapes might be a better choice for stones over three
carats since they outsell large round diamonds.
To simplify
this discussion on choosing a diamond shape, we have only
considered diamond solitaires. For those interested in cocktail
rings, anniversary bands, or any ring with many small diamonds,
the following table may be helpful. It compares the advantages
of round brilliants to those of fancy shapes weighing less
than 0.09 carat.
This
table is a bit misleading because it gives the impression
there are no advantages to buying small fancies when, in fact,
there are. Fancy shape diamonds make possible a wider selection
of ring designs. Furthermore, they can enhance large center
stones and add stylistic effects not possible with rounds.
Baguettes surrounding a green emerald compliment it. They
don't out dazzle it or compete with it the way a cluster of
round diamonds might.
The
above table is also over-simplified. For example, it does
not point out that tapered baguettes cost more than straight
baguettes, but you don't need to be concerned with details.
Just be aware that rings with small fancies cost more and
require more labor than those with small round brilliants.
This will help you realize the importance of comparing rings
having diamonds of the same shape as well as the same size,
color, and clarity. Then, you will be able to judge value
more accurately.
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