How much does it cost to get a custom piece of jewelry made?

Pricing varies based on materials and complexity, but we’ll give you a clear quote upfront. Simple designs can start at a few hundred dollars.

Is custom jewelry cheaper?

Not usually. But the value is in wearing something that lasts and actually means something. Over time, the cost per wear often makes custom pieces more worthwhile than mass-produced ones.

How long does custom jewelry take to make?

On average, 4 to 8 weeks. Some pieces take more time, especially if they’re complex or require rare materials. We’ll let you know early on what to expect.

How do you know if a jeweler is good?

Trust your instincts, but also check credentials, client reviews, and how well they explain things. A good jeweler won’t rush you; they’ll guide you.

Jun 09, 2026

Lab Grown Diamond Cuts Explained: Finding the Perfect Shape for Your Style

Multiple loose diamond cuts arranged in a circle.

Selecting a lab grown diamond involves understanding various factors, with the cut being among the most significant. The cut of a diamond directly influences its brilliance, fire, and scintillation, which are the qualities that make a diamond visually appealing. This guide will clarify the distinct characteristics of popular lab grown diamond cuts, assisting you in identifying the shape that best aligns with your personal style. For those in West St. Paul, MN., Van Drake Jewelers offers a curated selection and expert guidance.

Key Takeaways

Cut Determines Light Performance: The quality of a diamond's cut dictates how effectively it returns light, influencing its brilliance and sparkle.
Variety of Shapes: Lab grown diamonds are available in a wide array of shapes, each offering a unique aesthetic.
Personal Preference: The "perfect" cut is subjective, depending on individual style, setting preference, and desired visual impact.
Expert Guidance: Consulting with knowledgeable jewelers can help you make an informed decision about your lab grown diamond.

Understanding Lab Grown Diamond Cut Quality

The term "cut" refers to how well a diamond's facets interact with light. This is distinct from the diamond's shape. A well-executed cut allows light to enter the diamond, travel through it, and reflect back to the observer's eye, creating brilliance (white light), fire (spectral colors), and scintillation (sparkle).

Factors influencing cut quality include:

Proportions: The relationships between a diamond's facet angles, depth, and table size.
Symmetry: The precision of the diamond's facet alignment.
Polish: The smoothness of the diamond's surface.

A superior cut maximizes a diamond's inherent beauty, regardless of its shape. When considering lab grown diamond cuts, understanding these elements is fundamental to appreciating the visual impact of each stone.

Popular Lab Grown Diamond Shapes and Their Characteristics

Each diamond shape presents a distinct aesthetic, appealing to different preferences and styles. Exploring these options can help you narrow down your choices for a lab grown diamond.

Round Brilliant Diamond ring on a blue velvet stand.

Round Brilliant Cut

The Round Brilliant is the most popular diamond shape, renowned for its exceptional brilliance and fire. Its 58 facets are precisely arranged to maximize light return.

Characteristics:

Superior sparkle.
Timeless and versatile appeal.
Often appears smaller than other shapes of the same carat weight due to its depth.

Princess Cut diamond ring with a pave diamond band.

Princess Cut

A modern and sophisticated square shape with pointed corners, the Princess cut offers significant brilliance.

Characteristics:

Contemporary aesthetic.
Good light performance, second only to the Round Brilliant.
Can appear larger than a Round Brilliant of similar carat weight.

Emerald cut diamond ring shown against dim lights.

Emerald Cut

The Emerald cut is a rectangular step-cut diamond with parallel facets and clipped corners. It emphasizes clarity and produces a "hall of mirrors" effect rather than sparkle.

Characteristics:

Elegant, vintage appeal.
Highlights clarity; inclusions are more visible.
Elongated shapes can make fingers appear longer and more slender.

Cushion cut diamond ring on a blue velvet display.

Cushion Cut

The Cushion cut, also known as a "pillow cut," features rounded corners and larger facets, combining the appeal of a Round Brilliant with a softer, square shape.

Characteristics:

Romantic and classic appearance.
Excellent brilliance and fire.
Available in square or rectangular variations.

Oval cut diamond engagement ring with a pave band.

Oval Cut

The Oval cut is an elongated version of the Round Brilliant, offering similar sparkle with a unique, fashionable shape.

Characteristics:

Modern and graceful.
Can appear larger than a Round Brilliant of the same carat weight.
Elongated shape has a flattering effect on the hand.

Marquise cut diamond ring on a dark velvet stand.

Marquise Cut

The Marquise cut is an elongated, boat-shaped diamond with pointed ends. Its length maximizes perceived size.

Characteristics:

Regal and dramatic.
Appears larger than other shapes of the same carat weight.
Flatters the finger with its elongated form.

Asscher cut diamond ring with a pave diamond band.

Asscher Cut

The Asscher cut is a square step-cut diamond with a high crown, smaller table, and larger step facets, creating a unique optical pattern.

Characteristics:

Art Deco appeal.
Produces a "hall of mirrors" effect similar to the Emerald cut.
Emphasizes clarity and symmetry.

The Impact of Cut on Brilliance in Lab Diamonds

The cut of a lab grown diamond is arguably the most important of the 4 Cs (Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat) in determining its visual appeal. A superior cut maximizes the diamond's ability to reflect and refract light, creating the dazzling display of brilliance, fire, and scintillation that is highly sought after.

For lab grown diamonds, the cutting process is identical to that of natural diamonds, employing the same skilled artisans and precision tools. Therefore, the principles governing cut quality and its impact on light performance remain consistent.

Proportions: The angles and relative measurements of a diamond's facets. Ideal proportions allow light to enter the diamond, reflect off the pavilion facets, and exit through the table, resulting in maximum brilliance.
Symmetry: The precise alignment of a diamond's facets. Excellent symmetry ensures that light travels uniformly through the diamond.
Polish: The smoothness of a diamond's surface. A high-quality polish reduces surface blemishes that could hinder light entry and exit.

When these elements are expertly executed, as they are in the brilliant cut lab diamonds available at Van Drake Jewelers, the result is a diamond that exhibits exceptional sparkle and visual life. We invite you to visit our store in West St. Paul, MN. to experience the difference a well-cut diamond makes.

Selecting Your Ideal Lab Grown Diamond Shape

Choosing the right diamond shape involves considering several personal factors:

Personal Style: Do you prefer classic, modern, vintage, or unique aesthetics?

Classic: Round, Cushion
Modern: Princess, Radiant, Oval
Vintage: Emerald, Asscher
Unique: Pear, Marquise, Heart

Hand Shape and Size: Certain shapes can flatter different hand types.

Elongated shapes (oval, pear, marquise) can make fingers appear longer.
Larger shapes (radiant, cushion) can complement broader hands.

Setting Preference: The chosen setting can greatly influence how a diamond appears.

Solitaire settings highlight the diamond's shape.
Halo settings can enhance the perceived size and sparkle.
Bezel settings offer protection for vulnerable points.

Lifestyle: Consider how your daily activities might impact the durability of certain shapes.

Shapes with pointed ends (pear, marquise) may require more protective settings for active lifestyles.

Ultimately, the best way to determine your preferred shape is to view various options in person. Our knowledgeable staff at Van Drake Jewelers can guide you through the selection process, helping you compare different diamond shapes and understand their nuances. We encourage you to contact us for a personalized consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular lab grown diamond cut?

The round brilliant cut is consistently the most popular choice for lab grown diamonds due to its exceptional brilliance and timeless appeal.

How does cut affect the price of a lab grown diamond?

The quality of a diamond's cut significantly impacts its price. A diamond with an excellent cut, exhibiting superior brilliance and fire, will typically be priced higher than a diamond of similar carat weight, color, and clarity but with a poorer cut. This is because a precise cut requires greater skill and results in more rough diamond material being lost during the cutting process.

Can lab grown diamonds be recut?

Yes, lab grown diamonds can be recut, similar to natural diamonds. Recutting is a specialized process often undertaken to improve a diamond's cut grade, change its shape, or remove damage. This process reduces the diamond's carat weight.

What is the difference between a brilliant cut and a step cut?

Brilliant cuts, like the round brilliant, have numerous facets designed to maximize sparkle and light return. Step cuts, such as the emerald and Asscher cuts, feature parallel facets that create a "hall of mirrors" effect, emphasizing clarity and the diamond's transparent beauty rather than intense sparkle.

How do I determine the best cut for my style?

Determining the best cut for your style involves considering your personal aesthetic preferences, your hand shape, and the type of jewelry setting you envision. Visiting a jeweler to view different diamond shapes in person and trying them on can provide valuable insight into what truly suits you.