Why Are Round Brilliants Much More Expensive Than Other Cuts?

[Oski]

I''ve been looking at Radiants for a few weeks on this site, when I just entered the usual carat size (1.4 to 1.6) at a D color and VS1 to VS2, I accidentally left the cut at Round and was surprised to see that rounds were between 25% to 50% more expensive than the equivalent Radiant. Toggling between other cuts, it appears that Rounds are more expensive then the others.

Why would this be the case when there are so many more rounds than the other fancier cuts? I would have actually expected the opposite that rounds were cheape.

 

[MINE!!]

I am give you what I THINK is an answer... but I am NOT an expert. #1 I think that when they cut a round they have lost more of the rough than when they do other shapes... #2.. Economics.. Higher demand=Higher price...

But I know that there are defintely experts and the more experienced on PS that can give you a much better answer. But these 2 Reasons are some of the things I was told when I had the same question.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

exactly
well cut rounds - less than 48% yeild for sawn perfect octahedra, down to 20% ish for odd shaped rough.
Vs as high as 70-80% for princess and radiants

 

[cflutist]

Garry, is the 48% for one or two RBs from a perfectly formed octahedral rough? I have seen cutting diagrams in books where cutters may cut a larger and smaller RB from one crystal but haven''t seen it in real life so I am asking you the expert.

 

[diagem]

A perfect octahedron is not the right rough shape to calculate prices of round shapes, especialy not well cut ones, there are plenty of other rough shapes more suitable.

Perfect octahedrons are the perfect assortment for square shape diamonds,
but to cut a well!! made square cut would yield between 50% and some change to 65% depends on which facet arrangement is applied.

And some fancy shapes in stepcut or brillant cut are sold a equall prices as rounds, especially large diamonds. Large well made fancy shapes would command a higher price than a round diamond of equall weight.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

DiaGem i would like to know which fancies are sold for more by cutters?

Cflutist, the normal thing is to cut 1 larger and one smaller stone. 1 may be round and one may be princess - every combination is possible.

Take a 3ct rough - it might be that you can get a nice 1ct and a 30-40 pointer out of it (48% yeild). If there are unavoidable larger inclusions they would be placed in the smaller stone. this will be a problem for mines where the likes of tiffany and Harry Winston have controlling shares because what will they do with the pique thirds?

 

[cflutist]

Date: 5/27/2005 8:52:41 AM
Author: Garry H (Cut Nut)
DiaGem i would like to know which fancies are sold for more by cutters?

Cflutist, the normal thing is to cut 1 larger and one smaller stone. 1 may be round and one may be princess - every combination is possible.

Take a 3ct rough - it might be that you can get a nice 1ct and a 30-40 pointer out of it (48% yeild). If there are unavoidable larger inclusions they would be placed in the smaller stone. this will be a problem for mines where the likes of tiffany and Harry Winston have controlling shares because what will they do with the pique thirds?

Garry, thanks for the explanation. What would T&C or HW do with pique thirds? Selll them on the secondary market to be used in the creation of inexpensive tennis bracelets? Just got back from the Caribbean and almost all of the goods I saw there were made up of K-I1 stones

 

[diagem]

Garry,

Large 10 carat up beautifully made fancy shapes like Asscher cuts, Pearshapes and cushion shapes do command a higher price, and when it commes to 20 ct plus they realy start running...

I think very large round shape diamonds loose their apeall, and most conoiseurs would rather own a beautifully made fancy shape than a round.

Thats from what I have noticed in the last few months on the market..

 

[madrock]

Date: 5/27/2005 9:32:27 AM
Author: DiaGem


I think very large round shape diamonds loose their apeall, and most conoiseurs would rather own a beautifully made fancy shape than a round.

I agree. Having just purchased a 10+ carat oval and looking at all the various shapes in this size, I feel rounds lose their gracefulness in very large sizes. Rounds over 10 carats are spectacular -- but probably not for most buyers. Most of the larger stones (5+ carats) are cut in fancy shapes. I was also told (meaning it may or may not be true) that straight edge cuts (radiants, emeralds, princesses) are easier and less expensive to cut than the curved edges of rounds -- it is easier to maintain symmetry on longer straight edges.

 

[diagem]

Not true, Round shape labor is the less expensive labor, (you pay a nice premium for ex. ex. though)

Straight edge diamond cutting is MUCH more complicated, especially step cut. Its much harder to get an emerald, or asscher, or baguette cut to ex, ex, specs.

But on the other hand you have many more possibilities, and different shaping options....