Prices of diamonds vary greatly depending upon the shape selected. Round diamonds have been the most popular shape for decades due to their optimal brilliance. They command higher prices than fancy shapes due to higher manufacturing costs and higher demand.

Fancy shaped diamonds include all diamonds other than round. AAA offers nine different styles of fancy shapes including emerald-cut, Asscher-cut and heart. Choosing a fancy shaped diamond can save you more than 25% versus a round diamond of similar size and quality. Depending on the shape selected, many fancies such as marquise, oval and pear shape are elongated shapes and appear larger than a round. Nearly one-third of all engagement rings today are created with a fancy shaped diamond, the most popular shapes beingprincess-cut, cushion-cut, and radiant-cut.

The following illustrates the dramatic savings realized when choosing a fancy shape. Note: Prices shown represent the current lowest price for diamonds from 1.00 to 1.05 carats with a minimum of Very Good cut, G color, VS2 clarity, Very Good symmetry, Very Good polish and Faint fluorescence.