Brilliant Cut vs Crushed Ice Lab Grown Diamonds: A Comprehensive Guide

Lab grown diamonds have disrupted the jewelry market by offering a sustainable alternative to mined diamonds. Lab diamonds are real diamonds with identical chemical and physical properties.

However, diamond cuts can vary and give each rough lab grown diamond a distinct style, shape, and value. This blog explores two popular diamond cuts — brilliant cut diamond and crushed ice lab grown diamond — cutting styles, their characteristics, and key considerations for buyers.

What is Diamond Cut?

Before we get into exploring brilliant cut and crushed ice lab diamonds, it is important to understand that a diamond’s cut refers to both its shape (round, oval, cushion, etc.) and its faceting pattern. The faceting pattern determines how light interacts with the diamond, affecting its sparkle, brilliance, and overall appearance. The cut is important whether it is a lab grown diamond or a mined diamond.

What are Brilliant Cut Lab Grown Diamonds

Brilliant cut diamonds have a specific faceting pattern. This pattern maximizes light return and brilliance. The most popular brilliant diamond cut is the round brilliant cut. It typically contains 57 or 58 facets arranged in a precise geometric pattern.

Brilliant cut lab made diamonds have larger and more defined facets that create a clear pattern when viewed from above. When viewed through special tools, these diamonds display a “hearts and arrows” pattern. This reveals distinct areas of light and dark.

What are Crushed Ice Lab Grown Diamonds?

Crushed ice diamonds have facets that create a textured and fragmented appearance pattern, resembling crushed ice or broken glass. This cutting style is most commonly seen in elongated shapes like oval, pear, marquise, and certain cushion cuts.

Crushed ice lab grown diamonds tend to sparkle continuously under any lighting conditions. When viewed from above, these diamonds have a snow-like or sugar-coated appearance. The faceting pattern helps mask inclusions and color tints.

Brilliant Cut vs. Crushed Ice Lab Grown Diamond: Difference

Factors to Consider When Buying Lab Grown Diamond of Brilliant Cut or Crushed Ice

1. Diamond shape: The two cutting styles can be designed in any shape; however, certain shapes lend themselves better to certain cutting styles. For instance, round diamonds are cut in brilliant patterns, and elongated diamond shapes may look good in crushed ice. Cushion diamond cuts are available in both styles.

2. Personal preference: When it comes to lab grown diamonds, personal preference plays a key factor because lab made diamonds can be made the way an individual imagines them. Hence, if you want contemporary style, crushed ice could be a better option, and if you want a traditional style, go for a brilliant cut diamond.

3. Diamond size: Carat weight can largely influence how good a lab made diamond style performs. For instance, small diamonds that are under 1 carat often sparkle more when cut in brilliant cuts. Larger diamonds can showcase both these styles effectively.

4. Color grade: The color grade of a diamond also impacts on the way it performs. For instance, for diamonds with slight color (G to J grade), crushed ice can help mask warm tints, and for colorless lab grown diamonds (D to F grade), brilliant cuts reveal their colorlessness.

5. Lab grown diamond clarity: The cutting style also impacts the visible inclusions. For instance, brilliant cut diamonds have larger facets that reveal inclusions easily, and crushed ice patterns help hide minor inclusions due to their fragmented light pattern.

6. Consider the price: The price difference between brilliant cut diamonds and crushed ice lab grown diamonds is based on many factors, such as cutting precision, market demand, diamond 4Cs, shape, etc. The price of lab grown diamonds is 30 to 40% less than mined diamonds.

Wrapping up

If you’re considering buying diamonds and are confused about whether to buy brilliant cut diamonds or crushed ice lab grown diamonds, consider the above factors. Explore brilliant cut diamonds and crushed ice lab grown diamonds by Grown Diamond Corporation.