Which Diamond Shape is the Best Value for Money?

When it comes to choosing a diamond, one of the most important considerations is the shape.

In short: Oval and pear cuts offer the best UK 2025 value, costing 15-25% less per carat than round brilliants while appearing 15-30% larger face-up. A 1.00ct lab-grown D/VS1 oval runs £1,200-£1,600 versus £1,400-£1,800 round, and £5,500-£7,500 natural versus £6,500-£8,500 round. Cushion and emerald cuts also save 10-20%. Best value-per-millimetre comes from lab-grown elongated cuts.

With so many options available, each with its own unique appeal, picking the right diamond shape can feel like a daunting task.

But if you're shopping with a budget in mind, you’ll want to know which diamond shape gives you the most sparkle for your spend.

Some shapes allow you to get a larger or more brilliant diamond for your budget, offering better value for money without compromising on beauty.

Let’s dive into the different diamond shapes and find out which ones provide the best bang for your buck.

Understanding Diamond Shapes

Before getting into specifics, it’s important to understand that diamond shapes and diamond cuts aren’t quite the same.

While the terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to different aspects.

The shape refers to the physical form of the diamond – round, oval, square, etc. – while the cut is about the quality of how well the diamond's facets reflect light.

Common diamond shapes include round, princess, cushion, oval, pear, marquise, emerald, radiant, heart, and Asscher.

Each shape brings its own style and characteristics, but they also vary significantly in terms of price.