Not all sparkle is created the same way. Different facet architectures completely change how a diamond handles light.
Two lab grown diamonds can appear nearly identical on paper — same carat weight, same colour grade, same clarity — and still be priced very differently.
That’s because the traditional 4 Cs only explain part of a diamond’s quality. The rest comes down to factors most buyers are rarely told about: cut precision, light performance, faceting complexity, crystal quality, finishing, certification standards, and how the diamond behaves under actual light.
At True Diamond, we realised early that the lab grown diamond market was becoming increasingly confusing for buyers. So instead of optimising only for certification grades, we began focusing on the deeper variables that actually change how a diamond looks, feels, and performs in real life.
In many ways, modern diamonds are no longer just about size. They’re about visual architecture.
THE 4 Cs ARE ONLY THE BEGINNING
Most buyers are taught to evaluate diamonds using the traditional 4 Cs: Cut, Colour, Clarity, and Carat. And while those matter, they don’t fully explain why one diamond feels sharper, brighter, deeper, or more luxurious than another.
Two IGI-certified diamonds with similar specifications can still perform completely differently under light. This is one of the biggest reasons why lab grown diamond prices vary so dramatically across brands and retailers.
Evaluating diamonds purely on certification grades leaves out some of the most important aspects of visual performance. Because ultimately, diamonds are visual objects. The way they behave under natural light matters far more than how they look on paper.
WHY CUT PRECISION CHANGES EVERYTHING
One of the biggest differences in lab grown diamond pricing comes down to cut precision and faceting complexity. A standard round brilliant diamond usually contains 57 or 58 facets. But specialty cuts take a completely different approach.
The Portuguese Cut — one of True Diamond’s rarest offerings — features significantly more facets than traditional cuts, creating layered light reflection, deeper visual texture, and stronger fire.
The Kashi 108 Cut is another highly specialised cut available at True Diamond. Designed with exactly 108 facets, it creates a softer, candle-like brilliance inspired by intentionality and balance rather than mass-market sparkle.
Different cuts don’t just change shape. They completely change how a diamond interacts with light. This is why two diamonds with identical carat weights can feel visually worlds apart.
Shadowless Diamonds Collection
Facet structure directly changes brilliance, fire, depth, and sparkle behaviour. Available exclusively through our specialized high-performance lineup.
At True Diamond, we focus heavily on Portuguese Cuts, Kashi 108 Cuts, Oval Cuts, Emerald Cuts, Round Brilliants, and Elongated Cushion Cuts because each creates a different light personality and visual experience.
WHY TWO IGI-CERTIFIED DIAMONDS CAN STILL BE PRICED DIFFERENTLY
One of the biggest misconceptions in the lab grown diamond market is assuming certification alone guarantees equivalent quality. It doesn’t.
Two IGI-certified diamonds with similar specs can still differ significantly in light return, symmetry precision, scintillation, crystal strain, faceting accuracy, fluorescence, spread, polish quality, and visual depth. This is one reason why some diamonds instantly appear more luxurious despite technically sharing similar grades.
At True Diamond, we go beyond standard certification metrics to evaluate the visual behaviour of every diamond more holistically. Because modern luxury is increasingly about refinement — not just specifications.
THE HOLLOWAY CUT ADVISOR (HCA) AND WHY IT MATTERS
At True Diamond, we also pay close attention to tools like the Holloway Cut Advisor (HCA), which evaluates how efficiently a diamond handles light return, fire, scintillation, and spread instead of relying only on certificate grades.
This matters because diamonds are designed to interact with movement and light in real life — not just under controlled grading environments. A diamond with stronger light performance will often appear more expensive, sharper, and more visually alive even when compared to a larger stone with weaker cut precision. This is one reason why exceptional cut quality often affects perceived luxury more than sheer carat weight.
The Kashi 108 Cut Portfolio
The Kashi Cut is a diamond crafted with exactly 108 facets. It functions as a celestial amplifier, establishing a deeper, softer multi-layered light performance profile.
WHY LAB GROWN DIAMOND PRICES KEEP CHANGING
Lab grown diamond pricing has evolved rapidly over the last few years due to advances in growing technology, improved manufacturing efficiency, global supply scaling, cutting precision differences, rarity of specialised cuts, brand positioning, and craftsmanship quality.
Standard round lab grown diamonds have become increasingly accessible as production technology improves globally. But highly specialised cuts like Portuguese and Kashi 108 still require significantly more cutting precision, time, and yield sacrifice — which changes pricing entirely. The same applies to precision-cut oval diamonds, elongated fancy shapes, exceptional light performance stones, and high craftsmanship settings. Not all lab grown diamonds are competing in the same category, and increasingly, buyers are beginning to understand the difference.
THE TRUE DIAMOND EVALUATION FRAMEWORK
Beyond the traditional 4 Cs, visual performance matters just as much as certification. Here is what we actively calculate:
| # | Visual Metric | Performance Target |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Symmetry Precision & Scintillation | Flawless geometric alignment to ensure even, crisp light dispersion |
| 2 | Light Return & HCA Rating | Elimination of light leakage out of the pavilion angles |
| 3 | Spread Ratio | Maximizing face-up dimensions relative to total diamond depth |
| 4 | Fluorescence & Crystal Strain | Ensuring complete structural transparency without milky or hazy distortion |
| 5 | Proportional Accuracy | Meticulous alignment of crown angles, table percentages, and polish levels |
The goal isn’t simply buying a bigger diamond. It’s buying one that feels sharper, cleaner, and more intentional every time it catches light.
Questions We Hear Most
Why are lab grown diamond prices so different?
Lab grown diamond prices vary because of differences in cut precision, faceting complexity, light performance, craftsmanship, certification standards, and overall visual quality.
Why is one IGI-certified diamond more expensive than another?
Two IGI-certified diamonds can still differ significantly in brilliance, symmetry, scintillation, polish, and light return.
Are all lab grown diamonds the same quality?
No. Lab grown diamonds vary greatly in cut quality, faceting precision, crystal structure, and visual performance.
What is the Portuguese Cut diamond?
The Portuguese Cut is a highly faceted diamond cut designed to create deeper light reflection and stronger fire compared to standard cuts.
What is the Kashi 108 Cut?
The Kashi 108 Cut is a specialty diamond cut featuring 108 facets designed for softer, layered brilliance and visual depth.
What is the Holloway Cut Advisor?
The Holloway Cut Advisor (HCA) is a tool used to evaluate diamond light performance including fire, scintillation, spread, and light return.
Why do some diamonds sparkle more than others?
Diamond sparkle is heavily influenced by cut precision, faceting accuracy, symmetry, and light performance.
Does more facets mean better sparkle?
Not necessarily. More facets change how light behaves within the diamond, but overall cut precision remains equally important.
