Carat Weight

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.

Matter what shape

The diamonds because

Diamond weight increases

Aware that shape

Diameter measurements can

 


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