Diamond Shape: How The Shape Affects Price The word "cut" actually refers to two different traits: 1) overall shape and 2) the make -- how well the shape is cut, including proportions, finish, and symmetry. On this page we will discuss how the basic shape of a diamond significantly affects the price. The primary wholesale price list (published monthly as the Rapaport Diamond Report) gives prices for three shapes. Rounds and marquise shapes have their own unique price charts, while the charts for pear shapes are used for all other shapes. IMPORTANT: If you cannot get a copy of Rapaport, you can rely on any of the excellent jewelers in our list of top internet jewelers or the network of top local jewelers in most major areas. They can answer all your questions as you go, so don't hesitate to call them for answers to any questions you have. Next, it is important to understand the current market and the far-reaching influence of the Internet on diamond prices. About six major diamond Web sites are currently competing for market share, spending millions of dollars to attract customers. To keep those customers and encourage referrals, these well-financed sites are offering very good prices at the expense of profits. What does this mean for you? The consumer wins -- with lower prices, enormous selection, and excellent service. With this report on How to Read a Certificate, and our independent Dealer Ratings, you should be able to find diamonds of any description below the prices published in the wholesale price list. The discounts from Rapaport depend on the shape, since different shapes have different levels of demand. In addition, some shapes have a better yield from the rough, meaning that less is wasted during cutting because the final shape is closer to the original rough shape. For a general guideline, you should now be able to find diamonds -- with all quality factors in acceptable ranges -- at the following discounts from Rapaport. Exceptional qualities will increase the price to a small degree, while even a single unacceptable quality in a diamond may decrease the price very significantly. Round: subtract 10-15% -- from the round price sheets Marquise: subtract 10-15% -- from the marquise price sheets Pear: subtract 15-20% -- from the pear price sheets Princess: subtract 25-30% -- from the pear price sheets Emerald: subtract 25-30% -- from the pear price sheets Oval: subtract 20-25% -- from the pear price sheets Heart: subtract 25-30% -- from the pear price sheets Radiant: subtract 25-30% -- from the pear price sheets Other: subtract 25-35% -- from the pear price sheets The figures above are greatly oversimplified. Please do not try to calculate a price from this alone. You need to adjust for all 13 factors on a certificate to arrive at a fair, accurate price. We Make It Easy If you want to learn how to calculate a price for any diamond you want, please see my easy, fast, step-by-step Diamond Pricing Tutorial page. Back to: How to Read a Certificate