Very Good Cut Diamonds — Outstanding Brilliance

Very Good Cut: The Smart Diamond Buyer's Sweet Spot

Very Good cut diamonds deliver approximately 90% of the light performance of an Excellent cut at a meaningfully lower price point — often 10-15% less for the same carat weight, color, and clarity. In typical lighting conditions (restaurants, offices, outdoors), a Very Good cut diamond is visually indistinguishable from an Excellent cut stone. This makes Very Good the preferred choice for buyers who want to maximize overall diamond quality within a fixed budget.

Where the Savings Go: Bigger Carat, Better Color

The savings from choosing Very Good over Excellent cut can be redirected to a larger carat weight, a higher color grade, or a better clarity grade. For example, the money saved might let you step up from a 1.0ct to a 1.15ct diamond, or from H color to G color — differences that are more noticeable to the eye than the subtle cut variation. Our pricing guide explains how each C affects cost.

What Proportions Make a Great Very Good Diamond

Very Good cut round brilliants typically have table percentages between 54-57% or 58-60%, crown angles slightly outside the 34-35 degree ideal window, and pavilion angles close to but not exactly at 40.6-41.0 degrees. Symmetry and polish are usually Very Good or Excellent. These minor deviations from the "sweet spot" cause a tiny amount of additional light leakage — measurable by instruments, but invisible to the unaided eye in normal viewing conditions.

Which Shapes Benefit Most from Very Good Cut

Since GIA only grades cut for round brilliants, Very Good cut is most relevant when shopping for rounds. However, for fancy shapes — oval, cushion, princess, emerald — the cut grade appears only as symmetry and polish on the certificate. In those cases, Very Good symmetry and polish are widely considered excellent choices that do not compromise visual appeal. Explore all shape options in our diamond shape guide.

The Bottom Line

Very Good cut is the sweet spot where quality meets value. If you are designing your own ring and want the most beautiful diamond for your budget, Very Good cut lets you invest more where it counts — size and setting. For detailed comparisons, see our 4Cs education guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Very Good cut diamonds.

Can you tell a Very Good cut diamond from an Excellent cut with the naked eye? +

In the vast majority of cases, no. The proportion differences between Very Good and Excellent cut are measured in fractions of a degree and tenths of a percent — variations that are detectable by gemological instruments but invisible to the unaided eye under normal lighting. Side-by-side comparisons in controlled lab lighting may reveal subtle differences, but in everyday settings (on a finger, across a dinner table) the two grades look identical.

How much cheaper is a Very Good cut diamond compared to Excellent? +

Very Good cut diamonds typically cost 10-15% less than comparable Excellent cut stones of the same carat, color, and clarity. On a 1-carat diamond, this can mean savings of $500-$1,500 depending on the other specifications. Those savings can be redirected toward a larger carat size or higher color grade. See our pricing guide for detailed breakdowns.

Is Very Good cut good enough for an engagement ring? +

Absolutely. Very Good cut is one of the most popular choices for engagement rings because it combines outstanding brilliance with smart value. Many jewelers — including our own experts — regularly recommend Very Good cut to clients who want to maximize the overall impact of their ring within a budget. The diamond will sparkle beautifully in any setting style.

Does Very Good cut matter more for round diamonds than princess or oval? +

GIA only assigns an overall cut grade (Excellent, Very Good, etc.) to round brilliant diamonds. For princess, oval, and other fancy shapes, cut quality is reflected through symmetry and polish grades on the certificate. Very Good symmetry and polish in fancy shapes are excellent indicators of good light performance.

What proportion ranges define a Very Good cut diamond? +

For GIA-graded round brilliants, Very Good cut typically means a table percentage of 53-57% or 58-61%, a crown angle of 31.5-36.5 degrees, and a pavilion angle of 40.2-41.4 degrees. The tolerances are slightly wider than Excellent, allowing minor light leakage that remains undetectable to the naked eye. Our 4Cs guide explains each measurement in detail.

When should you choose Very Good cut instead of Excellent? +

Choose Very Good when you want to reallocate budget toward a larger carat weight, better color, or a premium setting. It is also the ideal grade if you are buying a fancy shape where GIA doesn't grade cut anyway, since you'll be evaluating symmetry and polish rather than overall cut. Finally, if you are comparing two diamonds and the Very Good stone has a better clarity or color grade, it will often look more beautiful overall. Contact our experts for personalized guidance.

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