Added-Value Diamonds

Why two diamonds with the same 4C grades can face up differently.

An added-value diamond looks better face-up than other diamonds with similar lab grades, and grading reports do not show this difference.

Most consumers want a diamond that sparkles, looks big, is clean, and is colorless (or has an intense color). An added-value diamond faces up better in all these respects than other diamonds with similar lab grades. Grading reports do not help to see the difference, not even for experts.

Why do some diamonds offer added value?

  • The color grade is set from the pavilion view. A high performance cut adds value because it improves the face-up color.
  • Within one clarity grade, some diamonds are better than others. An SI1 diamond can be eye clean but hazy and dull. Or it can have visible spots near the edge that prongs can hide. A smart cut can add value because it makes inclusions harder to see face-up.

Color in colorless diamonds

Both diamonds below have H color. But anyone can see that the high performance cut on the right has better face-up color.

Two H color Cushions side by side: the high performance cut on the right has better face-up color

Examples: Cushion H SI2, Cushion H SI1

Color in fancy colored diamonds

Compare these two Fancy Yellow Cushions. Both diamonds have the same grade, but the one on the right has a more intense color.

Two Fancy Yellow Cushions with the same grade: the one on the right has a more intense color

Examples: Fancy Color list

Clarity surplus

A smart cut can hide inclusions well. This SI2 marquise has a feather perpendicular to the table. Compare it with the round diamond next to it. Both have a GIA SI2 grade, but the round is a low SI2 and looks worse.

SI2 marquise with a well hidden feather next to a low SI2 round that looks worse

Examples: Clarity Samples

Spread: diamond size, not weight

Consumers do not know that diamonds of the same weight have different spread, or face-up size. And size is important. Different cuts have very different spread. Cutwise is the only platform that gives buyers spread. It shows spread as a percentage and as plus or minus weight. See Apparent Size.

Diamonds of the same weight with different face-up size

Examples: Spread demonstration

In practice

  • Consumers and trade buyers always pay more for a diamond that looks bigger.
  • Cutwise shows buyers the actual performance and beauty of a diamond. This helps to sell added-value diamonds, including fancy colored diamonds with added cut value.
  • Cutwise makes it easy to find buyers for added-value diamonds.
  • Cutwise helps buyers find diamonds that are better than their grading report shows.