2026 Singapore Diamond Guide
Cushion Cut vs. Round Brilliant: The Honest Truth About Price, Value, and Beauty.
The Hook Buying a diamond is often the most significant emotional purchase a person
makes. But in 2026, you deserve more than just marketing "fluff." To make a smart choice, you need to
understand the cold, hard physics and the economic reality of the diamond trade.
Here is our insider, transparent guide to making the smartest choice for your budget.
1. The 40% Price Gap: It’s All About the "Rough"
The single biggest shock for most buyers is the price difference. Depending on the specific stone and
cut model, a Cushion cut can cost between 35% and 50% less than a Round Brilliant of
identical colour and clarity.
Why the massive difference? It comes down to "Rough Yield"—the amount of the original
diamond crystal that remains after cutting.
- The Round: To achieve the mathematical perfection of a Round Brilliant, a cutter typically loses about 50% of the original rough stone. You are paying for that waste.
- The Cushion: Because this shape follows the natural "square-ish" form of a rough diamond more closely, the cutter only loses about 35%.
May 2026 Market Snapshot: For a high-quality 1-carat stone (GIA, F, VS2, Triple Ex/Ex),
you can expect to see prices around $5,800 SGD for a Round Brilliant, while a premium
Cushion cut would sit closer to $3,500 SGD. (Note: These figures are a snapshot of
current month 2026 market rates and are subject to change).
2. The "Hidden Weight" Trap
Weight doesn’t always equal visible size. This is a crucial "buyer beware" moment.
- The Round: A Round diamond is mathematically optimized for light return, which naturally yields a 10% larger visible surface area (face-up) compared to most other shapes.
- The Cushion: These stones are often cut "deep." Much of that 1-carat weight is "lost" in the height of the stone, hidden by the setting where you can't see it.
Because of this trap, our COO Tal always advises our clients never to buy a fancy shape online based on
carat weight alone. You are often paying for carat weight that remains invisible to the naked eye.
3. The GIA "Cut Grade" Warning & How We Protect You
This is the most important technical detail: The GIA only provides an official "Cut Grade"
(Excellent, Very Good, etc.) for Round diamonds.
For Cushions and all other "fancy shapes," there is no official cut grade on the report. A Cushion can
look perfect on paper but still be "dead" or "dull" inside because of a poor cut.
This is where Dianoche’s expertise protects you. Our Chief Gemologist, Gilad, uses advanced optical
diagnostic tools like ASET (Angular Spectrum Evaluation Tool) imagery. This tool
provides a visual map of a diamond's light return and leakage. We physically reject any cushion cut that
shows a "watery" or "mushy" center, ensuring you only view stones with world-class brilliance and fire.
4. Resale and the "Rapaport" Reality
If you care about liquidity, the Round Brilliant is the undisputed benchmark. It has been the
international standard for decades, tracked weekly by the Rapaport Price List.
At Dianoche, we also buy pre-owned jewellery directly from the public (C2B), so Elad and our sourcing
team see the resale reality every day.
- Round: Higher demand, easier to price, and highly liquid in secondary markets.
- Cushion: A beautiful, but "trendy" shape. Its popularity fluctuates. Unless the stone is truly exceptional, a Cushion will generally lose more value in a resale scenario than a Round.
A Personal Note: Be a "Smart Romantic"
While the math is clear, not every decision should be made like a stock market trade. A diamond is a
gift, a symbol, and a piece of art.
Cushion cuts can be amazingly beautiful and truly unique. While the Round is "perfect," a premium
Cushion cut offers a level of "fire," character, and personality that a standard Round simply cannot
replicate.
Our advice? Be a "Smart Romantic"
- Trust Your Senses: Don’t just buy the certificate. Look at the stone in person.
- The Whiteness Test: Due to physics, Rounds hide colour better. If you choose a Cushion, you may need to go one grade higher in colour to get that same "ice-white" look.
- Choose the Best, Not the Cheapest: Make sure you are choosing a premium cut from a seller who understands the physics of the stone.
If you love the character of a Cushion, buy it. Just do it with your eyes wide open to the math.
Ready to compare these beautiful shapes side-by-side? Book a free consultation at our Dianoche
Artelier, and let us help you design your own sustainable, bespoke jewellery masterpiece at
direct manufacturing prices.
Book a free evaluation or consultation at our Dianoche showroom.
