The Different Cuts of Lab Grown Diamonds: Which One is Right for You?

October 08, 2023By Linus Li

Lab grown diamonds have taken the jewelry world by storm in recent years. As technology has improved, these man-made diamonds have become virtually indistinguishable from mined diamonds, at a fraction of the cost. When shopping for a lab grown diamond engagement ring or other fine jewelry, one of the most important factors to consider is the diamond cut. The cut determines how the light interacts with the diamond, bringing out the fire and brilliance. Lab grown diamonds are available in all the same cuts as natural diamonds. Read on to learn more about the different lab grown diamond cuts so you can decide which one is right for your needs and preferences.

The Round Brilliant Cut

The round brilliant is by far the most popular diamond cut on the market today, accounting for about 75% of diamonds sold. This classic cut has been around since the 18th century and has stood the test of time due to its ability to maximize light return, dispersion, and scintillation. Round brilliant diamonds have 58 facets, including the crown, girdle, and pavilion. The cut requires careful mathematical precision to achieve the ideal proportions, symmetry, and angles. Well-cut round brilliant lab grown diamonds exhibit a mesmerizing pattern of hearts and arrows when examined under magnification.

Round brilliant diamonds make small carat sizes appear larger due to their width and depth. This cut works well in a range of jewelry settings, from solitaires to three-stone rings to eternity bands. The versatility and timeless beauty of the round brilliant make it a top choice for engagement rings and other sentimental pieces. You'll get the most sparkle for your investment with a round brilliant lab grown diamond.

The round brilliant is the most popular diamond cut on the market

The Princess Cut

The princess cut is also hugely popular, second only to the round brilliant in terms of sales and consumer demand. It is a square cut diamond with sharp, clean lines and an expansive table. Princess cut diamonds are generally less expensive than round brilliants in the same carat weight due to the way the rough diamond is cut. They retain much of the rough diamond's weight since there is less waste.

Princess cut lab grown diamonds exhibit a unique brilliance thanks to their extra facets - between 58 and 76 - and sharp corners. The light reflects off the pavilion at the bottom, creating desirable flashes of light as the diamond or wearer moves. This cut has an elegant, contemporary look that pairs nicely with both modern and vintage settings. Princess cuts make the center diamond appear larger against the fingers. They are especially well suited for solitaire engagement rings.Click to know more:why Princess Lab-Grown Jewelry is so popular.

The Cushion Cut

Cushion cuts represent an elegant, romantic vintage style. As the name would suggest, these diamonds have a square or rectangular shape with gently rounded corners and sides. Cushion cuts date back to the mid-19th century and experienced a revival in the early 2000s. Today, cushion cut lab grown diamonds are readily available to jewelry shoppers.

Cushion cuts have an open culet at the bottom and usually contain between 58 and 64 facets. They offer an appealing blend of the straight lines of Emerald and Asscher cuts with the brilliance of round diamonds. The rounded edges give cushion cuts a soft, pillowy look. They exhibit a hall-of-mirrors optical effect similar to round brilliant diamonds. These warm, dazzling stones pair nicely with antique and vintage-inspired engagement ring settings.

Click to know more: Cushion Cut Diamond: An Old And New Classic.

The Oval Cut

Oval cut diamonds have a lovely elongated shape that can make the finger appear longer and slimmer. The oval cut brings to mind vintage glamour, giving it an heirloom aesthetic. Yet it also has a contemporary vibe that fits today's styles. The elongated shape works well with accent stones on three-stone rings and other designs.

Oval diamonds have 56 to 58 facets and ratios between 1.33 to 1.66. The length-to-width ratio determines how elongated the diamond appears. An expert cut can maximize brilliance and emphasize the stone's length. Oval diamonds exhibit a polarized, dumbbell-like brilliance pattern. The combination of sophistication and visual intrigue makes oval lab grown diamonds an interesting choice.

The Emerald Cut

Emerald cut diamonds are known for their striking simplicity. This rectangular cut has straight, cropped corners and step-like, almost prismatic faceting. It has an understated elegance and Art Deco flair. While emerald cuts diamonds lack some of the sparkle of brilliant cuts, they make up for it with their stark beauty.

The emerald cut's hall-of-mirrors effect creates clear lines and flashes of light down the facets. Higher clarity grades are preferred to show off the exquisite clarity patterning. Emerald cut lab grown diamonds frequently frame a solitaire or appear as side stones on three-stone rings. Their sharp lines pair nicely with Baguette cut accent stones. Emerald cuts look beautiful in platinum or white gold settings.

The Radiant Cut

The radiant cut combines the straight edges of the emerald cut with the brilliance of the round cut. It has cropped corners and between 62 to 70 facets. This unusual hybrid cut was developed in the 1970s as the first square cut gemstone designed specifically to maximize brilliance rather than carat weight. The result is a unique square or rectangular diamond that packs a visual punch.

Radiant cut lab grown diamonds exhibit a bright, fiery sparkle. Like princess cuts, they make great solitaire engagement rings. Radiant cuts look equally beautiful with micropave and other accents. Their scintillation draws attention, making this a perfect choice if you want your center stone to really pop. Radiant diamonds work with both modern and traditional ring designs.

Comparison of Lab Grown Diamond Cuts

Diamond Cut	Popularity	Facet Count	Unique Features	Best For	Cost Efficiency	Sparkle Level
Round Brilliant	Most Popular	58	Hearts and arrows pattern, maximizes light return	Engagement rings, versatile settings	Moderate	Highest
Princess	Second Most Popular	58-76	Sharp corners, less wastage of rough diamond	Solitaire rings, modern settings	High	High
Cushion	Vintage Appeal	58-64	Rounded corners, hall-of-mirrors effect	Antique settings, romantic pieces	Moderate	High
Oval	Elongated Shape	56-58	Makes finger appear longer, vintage yet modern	Three stone rings, unique settings	Moderate	High
Emerald	Art Deco Style	Varies	Step-like faceting, clear lines	Vintage settings, high clarity stones	High	Moderate
Radiant	Hybrid Cut	62-70	Combines emerald and round features	Modern and traditional settings	Moderate	High

How to Choose the Best Lab Grown Diamond Cut?

With so many gorgeous cuts to consider, how do you decide? We recommend looking at a range of different shapes to see which you find most appealing. The cut you ultimately choose depends on your personal style, ring setting, and budget. Here are a few tips:

Brilliant cuts like round, princess, cushion, and radiant offer the most sparkle for the money. Go with one of these if maximizing light performance is the top priority.
Oval and emerald cuts are elegant and understated. Pair them with vintage settings.
Cushion and radiant cuts are romantic, unique choices that make beautiful solitaires.
Princess and emerald cuts appear larger than rounds of the same carat weight.
Consider the length to width ratio for princess, cushion, oval, and emerald cuts.
Prioritize cut quality over size for the best light performance.

The options may seem overwhelming initially, but the right cut will stand out when you see it. Don't rush the process. Take your time and enjoy selecting the perfect lab grown diamond for your needs. With today's technologies, you can get stunning man-made diamonds in cuts once reserved for elite-mined diamonds. Your dream piece is out there waiting for you!

How to Choose the Best Lab Grown Diamond Cut

Q&As about cuts of Human Made Diamonds

Q: What is the best cut for lab grown diamonds?

A: Most diamond experts agree that the round brilliant cut is generally the best choice for maximizing light performance and brilliance. The precise faceting and angles of a well-cut round brilliant diamond result in exceptional sparkle. Other excellent cuts to consider are princess, cushion, oval, and radiant.

Q: What is the most affordable cut of lab grown diamond?

A: Princess and emerald cut lab grown diamonds tend to be more affordable than round brilliants of the same carat weight. The way these square and rectangular diamonds are cut preserves more carat weight from the original rough diamond. You can save 15-25% going with one of these cuts while still getting a stunning stone.Once you’ve chosen your perfect diamond, it’s crucial to know the essential tips for daily wear to keep your lab-grown diamond looking its best.

Q: How does cut affect the appearance of a lab grown diamond?

A: The cut is crucial for bringing out the fire and brilliance of a diamond. Precisely cut facets allow light to refract and reflect optimally. Elements like table width, crown angle, and pavilion depth influence how light moves through the stone. A well-cut diamond will sparkle beautifully, while a poorly cut one can appear dull.

Q: Which lab grown diamond cut has the most sparkle?

A: Round brilliant diamonds are hard to beat when it comes to sparkle. The 58 facets are designed to maximize light return and create lively flashes of light. Other cuts like princess, radiant, and cushion also exhibit terrific brilliance. Emerald and Asscher cuts have a more understated sparkle. Read more: Lab Diamond Earrings Let You Sparkle Like Hailey, Meghan & More Stars

Q: Should I prioritize carat weight or cut quality?

A: Cut quality is more important for light performance than carat weight alone. Even a large diamond with a poor cut will lack brilliance. It's better to select a diamond with excellent cut proportions and finish over a bigger stone with a mediocre cut.

Q: Does cut quality matter with lab grown diamonds?

A: Yes, cut quality makes a significant difference, even in lab grown diamonds. Cut is what unlocks a diamond's inherent brilliance. While lab grown diamonds have wonderful clarity, you still need precise workmanship to exhibit maximum fire and sparkle. Always choose the highest cut grade within your budget. To access more information: The Complete Guide to the 4Cs of Lab Grown Diamonds.