Diamonds never come cheap – but there are definitely gem cuts that wouldn’t hurt your wallet as much as some other types would.
We’re here to discuss what is the cheapest cut of diamond. Believe it or not, that’s one of the most common questions those shopping for precious stones have.
Like everything else related to diamonds, from the uncut and “raw” ones, diamond jewelry – and even construction machines such as diamond saws and drills – everything seems more pricey than it actually should be.
We get that – and we know that unreasonable prices can sometimes cause frustration. But that’s why we’re here!
The list of the cheapest cuts of diamonds you’ll find below will definitely come in handy down the road – whenever you decide to purchase one of these precious stones.
Without any further ado, let’s jump straight in and see what these budget solutions are!
The List Of Cheapest Ways To Cut Diamonds
From the start, we’ll focus on the two of the best budget options when it comes to diamond cuts – and these two options are:
Seriously, if you want to purchase a diamond – but don’t want to go broke in the process – these cuts are your best bet. We’ll look at both of these and see how they’re different and what you’ll be left with after buying diamonds cut in this fashion.
So, keep on scrolling!
Asscher Diamond Cut
This cut has a classic-looking, nostalgic shape and is a pretty old-fashioned way of cutting a diamond.
We’ve all seen the square-like shape of diamonds in rings and jewelry in movies referencing the 1920’s – which is when this cut was popularized.
Here’s the thing: Although Asscher cut was first introduced in 1902, it spiked in popularity somewhere between 1921 and 1922.
It was introduced by the Asscher Brothers of Holland’s Asscher Diamond Company, which is now known as the Royal Asscher Diamond Company. This diamond company is known for more than just the authentic cut they introduced at the beginning of the 20th century, though.
They were the ones responsible for cutting the 3,106-carat rough diamond, which is considered the biggest diamond ever found. Quite an impressive feat, huh?
After almost 80 years, this cut finally got its second wave in popularity in the early 2000s as a vintage cut that everyone wanted to wear. And given its timeless, vintage-looking shape, we’re not surprised.
There’s always be room for this cut in the jewelry market. Asscher cuts are similar to emerald cuts, with the primary difference being that they’re square – as opposed to the rectangular shape of an emerald cut.
This cut features prominent step facets and a high crown, producing brilliance unlike any other shape of diamonds out there.
In fact, diamond experts tend to refer to the sparkle of an Asscher cut diamond as an “endless hallway with reflective mirrors” – and it’s easy to see why if you look at a diamond that’s cut like this.
Although the Asscher cut is generally considered to have a square shape, the cut is somewhat octagonal since all four corners are cropped. However, these cropped corners aren’t nearly as noticeable once the diamond is mounted into a four-prong setting – unlike a true octagon.
Now, let’s discuss the most crucial thing here – the price. A diamond that weighs around 0.75 carats and is cut in the Asscher shape can cost anywhere from $2000 up to $3000.
Now, this price tag may look big – but it’s a fair price for what you’re getting.
Also, the color and clarity of the diamond you choose significantly impact the price you’re going to have to pay to get your hands on a diamond cut in this shape. That’s something to keep in mind here.
The square shape is recognizable and very attention-grabbing, and original. People tend to go with some less original cuts these days; you’re bound to stand out with this cut.
All in all, this is a perfect retro style of cutting diamonds, and it’s one of the best shapes to have your diamond cut in – because, well, it gets you a pretty good bang for your buck.
Related Read: Diamond Price List: How Much Is A 0.1 To 40 Carat Diamond Worth?
Emerald Diamond Cut
Another one of the most recognizable diamond cuts, the Emerald one, is probably the most seen and thought of – second only to the typical diamond shape.
If you thought that the Asscher diamond cut was old, considering that it was introduced in 1902, you’d be stunned when you learned about the Emerald diamond cut:
This diamond cut was one of the oldest cuts known to human society and was first introduced around the 1500s. Its origins are closely related to emerald gemstones, but when diamonds became popular, they also became the main gems cut in this fashion.
The “origin” that we mentioned above is actually rooted in chemistry and physics: For emerald gemstones – a softer and more brittle stone due to its numerous natural inclusions – a new cutting style like this reduced the pressure applied to the stone during the cutting process and prevented the chipping of gems.
Although diamonds are far harder than emeralds, this manner of shaping them seems to have worked just fine – and still does.
Back in the 1920s, this way of cutting diamonds was popularized by diamond cutters worldwide, especially in the United States. It seems like the 1920s are the “golden era” for cutting diamonds, doesn’t it?
Clean lines and symmetry were quite popular at that age, so it wasn’t long before this cut really spiked in popularity.
This era was known for the Art Deco movement, which admired bold geometry and clean lines – everything the Emerald diamond cut was known for at the time.
So, we can safely say that the Art Deco movement was largely responsible for the popularity and attention that this cut got back in the day.
Unlike the Asscher cut, diamonds that were cut in the Emerald fashion remained every bit as popular throughout the 20th century. This cut is still popular to this day. If you look around, you’ll notice that most engagement rings do bear diamonds that are cut to look like Emeralds.
Now, let’s see where the Emerald diamond-cut stands when it comes to the price.
This type of diamond cut doesn’t hurt your wallet nearly as much as the Asscher cut, standing at anywhere between $850 and $1300 when talking about a 0.50-carat stone.
Stones that are smaller are usually cut in this manner since the long shape gives it a bit of a visual advantage. And that means that diamonds that are Emerald-cut seem longer and bigger than they really are.
Related Read: Radiant Cut Vs. Emerald Cut
Other Cuts Of Diamonds
There are way more variations of diamond cuts than these two that we’ve mentioned above. So, you’re not out of options – even if you don’t like the previous two.
Now, we’ll look at some other common cuts of diamonds that may be more popular – but also more expensive than the Asscher and the Emerald diamond cuts.
That’s the catch; if you want one of the cuts listed below, be prepared to up your budget.
Learn More: Diamond Shapes: All Different Types of Diamond Shapes
Round Brilliant Cut
Now, this is undisputedly the most popular diamond cut out there. It’s estimated that about 75% of diamonds are cut this way.
So, the number one spot is reserved for this cut – and this fact probably won’t change for a very long time. A well-known shape of a round brilliant cut diamond is characteristic for too many reasons.
First of all, cartoons and movies popularized this cut since practically every diamond ever seen on TV was shown as a Round Brilliant cut. Plus, they’re perfectly optimized for brilliance and fire, making them sparkle like no other.
The first diamond that was cut like this dates back to the 1700s, so even this popular and trendy diamond cut is a few hundred years old.
We’re saying “a few of hundred years” because regardless of it being introduced in the 1700s, it wasn’t until the early 1800s when this way of cutting diamonds got the recognition that it most certainly deserves.
If we’re talking about the price, the popularity brought it up – and through the roof. A single carat Round brilliant cut diamond can cost up to $18,000!
On the one hand, it’s a bit too much. But on the other, you have to remember that the shape of this cut isn’t easy to achieve. That’s a big reason why this cut has a price tag as big as this one attached to it.
Princess Diamond Cut
Now, this is another immensely popular and trendy diamond cut at the moment. You’ve probably seen it around jewelry stores or diamond dealerships at one point or another.
The characteristic square shape is easily recognizable, and the sharp edges give it an authentic look that’s hard to forget. They are stunning – there’s no doubt about that.
One thing that tells this diamond cut from the rest of them is that it was introduced in the 1960s, which makes it the youngest diamond cut on this list.
The classic 60s vibe is what makes diamonds cut in this manner recognizable and memorable. It never goes out of fashion, thanks to its retro look.
Even though people don’t like the sharp edges of a Princess diamond cut, nobody can dispute these diamonds’ one-of-a-kind look.
Also, the diamonds that are shaped in the so-called Princess cut are mainly used for pieces of jewelry that contain only one central diamond – and no surrounding gems.
Earrings and rings are the most common pieces of jewelry that contain Princess cut diamonds. Why? Well, the diamonds cut in this manner generally aren’t as big as the gems cut with other methods, making them more suitable for more subtle jewelry pieces.
Price-wise, the Princess diamond cut is somewhere in the golden middle between the budget cut diamonds and the very expensive ones.
The price ranges anywhere between $3000 and $5000 – but the most common price seen for Princess cut diamonds is around $3500 for 0.75-carat diamonds.
Some people also consider this cut to be a budget option from time to time, but that generally depends on the situation and the characteristics of the diamond you choose.
If you’re comparing the Princess cut diamonds to the Round brilliant cut, of course, it’s a budget option – but there are undoubtedly some more affordable options out there.
Learn More: Princess Cut Vs. Cushion Cut: A Comparison Guide
Summing Up
As you’ve seen, there are a few options to choose from if you’re looking to get a quality cut diamond without hurting your wallet too bad.
The two recommendations – and the answers to the question of what is the cheapest cut of diamond – are the Asscher diamond cut and the Emerald diamond cut.
Besides these two, there are countless options out there. Diamonds have been cut in specific ways for hundreds of years now – meaning there’s been lots of room for innovation.
For example, the Emerald diamond cut is a couple of hundred years old and went in and out of style several times throughout history.
There are also some much more expensive options like round brilliant diamond cut, which costs around $20,000, depending on the size of the diamond – and a few other factors.
Overall, there are many options to choose from depending on your budget and the shape of a diamond that you’re looking to get.
Some people love round-shaped diamonds. Other people prefer the sharper look of square or rectangular diamonds – such as Princess cut diamonds.
Well, regardless of what you pick and choose from these budget options, we hope that you – and your wallet – will feel happy with your choice.
Good luck!
See Also: Which Diamond Cut Holds Its Value?
