Lab Grown Diamonds: Cut vs. Clarity – What Matters Most?
A common question that many lab grown diamond lovers struggle with is what is more important – diamond cut or clarity? While both factors are important in the four Cs of diamonds and have an effect on lab grown diamond prices, one also has to look at the two in different contexts.
In this blog, we look at diamond cut, diamond clarity separately and then understand which is more important. Read on!
What is diamond cut?
Rough lab grown diamonds are shapeless, formless, and unpolished, among other factors. In order to give these rough stones a shape, form, and finish, they have to be cut. Diamond cut refers to the quality of the diamond, which includes proportion, symmetry, and polish.
Diamond cut is an important factor that impacts how light enters and travels through the diamond. This aspect determines the diamond’s brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamond cut. Here’s the cut scale:
What is diamond clarity?
The process of creating diamonds can lead to certain internal inclusions, such as spots or blemishes. Diamond clarity refers to the absence of inclusions. The lesser the inclusions, the more clarity a lab grown diamond will have.
Lab made diamonds with a higher clarity grade are more valuable. The GIA has created a diamond clarity grading scale. Here is the scale:
How does diamond cut impact lab grown diamonds?
The cut of mined or lab grown diamonds is considered one of the most important factors. As diamonds are formed under controlled environments in laboratories, they have lesser irregularities. This makes it easier for diamond cutters to achieve the desired proportions and symmetry.
Well cut diamonds often display more brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Moreover, when lab grown diamonds are symmetrical and have better proportions, they tend to perform better under different light conditions.
How does diamond clarity impact lab grown diamonds?
The four Cs of diamonds impact its grading and value. This includes clarity as well. Lab grown diamonds may include different types of inclusions based on the process with which they are created.
For instance, HPHT diamonds may have metallic residue and CVD lab grown diamonds may have graphite inclusions. However, since diamonds are created in controlled environments in laboratories, they have more clarity and less inclusions.
Another way diamond clarity impacts lab grown diamonds is its visibility factors. Whether inclusions are visible to the naked eye or they can only be seen via magnifying equipment can impact its monetary value.
Moreover, diamonds with low clarity may also be prone to damage, breakage because of the structural weakness caused by inclusions. This lowers their monetary value. Inclusions can also have an impact on the way light travels and reflects in lab grown diamonds.
What matters more: lab grown diamond cut or clarity?
Let’s look at the different factors to decide what matters more in lab grown diamonds – cut or clarity.
| Diamond cut | Diamond clarity |
| When it comes to visual impact, diamond cut tends to be more important. A diamond that’s cut well but has lower clarity will still tend to look more beautiful and sparkling. | Many diamond connoisseurs give more importance to diamond clarity compared to diamond cut because they want diamonds that are internally flawless. |
| The cut of lab grown diamonds can be visible through its visual appeal and performance, unlike clarity that cannot often be seen through the naked eye. | In large carat diamonds, clarity may be more important over cut because the inclusions may be visible in larger diamonds. This can also impact the lab grown diamond price. |
| Among the four Cs of diamonds, a well cut diamond can easily hide other flaws such as low clarity. This way diamonds with inclusions can appear better than they actually are. | In lab grown diamonds that have open facet shapes, such as step cut, make internal factors more visible. Clarity becomes more important for such diamond shapes. |
| The diamond cut makes the diamond perform well under different lighting conditions and from different visual angles, making it an important factor. | When looking at diamonds as a long term investment, those with higher clarity grade can fetch higher lab grown diamond prices. |
Wrapping up
Both cut and clarity are important factors when buying diamonds. However, as the above table shows, their importance may vary based on the context and what you are looking for in your diamonds.
If you’re looking for lab grown diamonds with superior cut and clarity, explore the vast collection of man made diamonds at Grown Diamond Corporation.
