Choosing a diamond is both an emotional commitment and a considered investment. Beyond beauty, today’s discerning buyers increasingly ask a defining question: which diamond cut holds its value best over time?
As we enter 2026, diamond value is shaped by more than tradition alone. Market demand, certification standards, and cutting precision now play a decisive role in how well a diamond retains, and in some cases enhances, its worth. At Royal Asscher, where diamond cutting has been refined over six generations, we understand that enduring value is created through exceptional light performance, rarity, and lasting desirability.
This guide examines which diamond cuts hold their value best in 2026, with expert insight into brilliance, resale potential, and long-term relevance. Whether you are selecting a diamond to mark a milestone or to preserve value for generations, these insights will help you choose with confidence and clarity.
How Diamond Cut Influences Long-Term Value
Diamond cut refers to how precisely a diamond is shaped and faceted, directly determining how light enters, reflects, and returns to the eye. More than any other factor, cut governs brilliance, fire, and visual performance are the qualities that define a diamond’s immediate impact and long-term desirability.
From an investment perspective, cut also plays a decisive role in liquidity. Diamonds with cuts that are widely recognized, consistently in demand, and supported by clear documentation are easier to resell and tend to retain value more reliably over time. However, value is never defined by shape alone. Cut quality, independent certification, rarity, and craftsmanship work together to determine how a diamond performs in the secondary market.
Historically, round brilliant diamonds have dominated global demand due to their symmetry and superior light return. In 2026, this remains true, but not all round brilliants are created equal. Diamonds that refine the classic round through patented cutting innovation and precision craftsmanship continue to outperform generic equivalents, both visually and financially.
Royal Asscher Brilliant Cut: The Benchmark for Brilliance and Value
The Royal Asscher Brilliant Cut sets the benchmark for long-term diamond value in 2026. Engineered as a refinement of the classic round, this proprietary cut features additional facets and precisely calibrated proportions designed to maximize light performance while minimizing dark zones.
The result is a diamond with exceptional brilliance, balanced fire, and extraordinary visual consistency. Its familiar silhouette ensures enduring global demand, while its patented craftsmanship distinguishes it within the category, supporting stronger resale confidence and market recognition.
For buyers seeking the most reliable combination of beauty, demand, and value retention, a well-cut, certified Royal Asscher Brilliant remains the most resilient choice.
Why it holds value:
-
Exceptional light return and refined fire
-
Consistent global demand for round silhouettes
-
Strong resale liquidity when paired with GIA certification
Royal Asscher Cushion Cut: Heritage Romance with Disciplined Value
The Royal Asscher Cushion Cut reinterprets a historic silhouette through modern diamond engineering. Featuring 74 precisely calibrated facets, this patented cut is designed to reduce light leakage and enhance internal fire, addressing the visual inconsistency often found in traditional cushion cuts.
With softly rounded corners and larger, open facets, the Royal Asscher Cushion evokes antique elegance while delivering controlled brilliance and depth. Long associated with vintage jewelry, this shape has experienced renewed interest among collectors and design-conscious buyers seeking distinction without sacrificing performance.
From a value perspective, cushion cuts typically trade lower liquidity than round brilliants. However, well-proportioned Royal Asscher Cushion diamonds with excellent cut quality and certification maintain steady demand, particularly among buyers drawn to heritage, craftsmanship, and timeless design rather than trend-driven resale.
Value profile:
-
Stable, collector-led demand
-
Strong appeal among heritage and vintage-inspired buyers
-
Reliable long-term value when cut quality and documentation are exceptional
Royal Asscher Oval Cut: Elongated Elegance with Contemporary Value Strength
The Royal Asscher Oval Cut is engineered to correct one of the most common challenges of elongated diamonds: the bow-tie effect. Through precise pavilion angles and refined facet placement, this cut delivers balanced brilliance and consistent light return across the entire stone.
Combining the sparkle of a round diamond with a graceful elongated silhouette, Royal Asscher Oval diamonds enhance perceived size and flatter the hand are the factors that have fueled their growing popularity. Demand has remained strong, supported by modern design trends and sustained visibility in fine jewelry.
Beginning in 2025 and continuing into 2026, Royal Asscher Oval cuts have demonstrated stronger value retention than many non-round shapes, particularly at higher carat weights where visual impact and rarity are key. While resale liquidity remains more specialized than round brilliants, the combination of brilliance, size presence, and contemporary appeal continues to support steady market interest
Value profile:
-
Growing global demand driven by modern aesthetics
-
Excellent brilliance with optimized light performance
-
Stronger resale performance at higher carat weights
Practical Guidance for Preserving Diamond Value
For buyers who view a diamond as both an emotional symbol and a long-term asset, value preservation begins with informed selection.
Diamonds with excellent cut grades and independent certification from respected laboratories such as GIA consistently perform better in both private resale and secondary markets. Equally important is provenance, maintaining original certificates, purchase records, and documentation ensures transparency and trust when value is reassessed over time.
From a liquidity standpoint, timeless, high-demand Royal Asscher cuts, most notably the Royal Asscher Brilliant, offer the strongest resale resilience. Shapes such as the Royal Asscher Oval and Cushion provide meaningful value retention when chosen for their craftsmanship and cut quality, though their resale markets are more specialized and collector-driven.
Ultimately, the most enduring value lies in balancing market recognition with personal expression, choosing a diamond that is both beautifully made and thoughtfully selected.
A Royal Asscher Perspective on Value
At Royal Asscher, value is never accidental. It is the result of precision, craftsmanship, and generations of expertise. While market trends evolve, exceptional cutting, optical performance, and integrity of craftsmanship remain constant.
Our patented diamond cuts are designed not only to perform today, but to endure visually, emotionally, and materially well into the future. When a diamond is crafted with purpose and documented with care, it becomes more than a purchase; it becomes a lasting legacy.