Question 1

What is a lab-grown European Cut diamond?

Accepted Answer

A lab-grown European Cut (Old European Cut or OEC) is a diamond grown in a laboratory using CVD or HPHT technology, then cut in the distinctive European Cut style — featuring a smaller table, higher crown, larger culet, and 58 broad facets that produce chunky, dramatic flashes of light. The result is chemically and optically identical to a natural European Cut diamond but costs 80 to 95 percent less. Lab-grown OECs are ideal for buyers who love the vintage aesthetic but want to maximize carat weight within their budget.

Question 2

How does a lab-grown European Cut compare to a lab-grown Round Brilliant?

Accepted Answer

Both are round diamonds, but they produce very different sparkle. The European Cut has a smaller table, higher crown, and broader facets that create wide, dramatic flashes of fire — a slow, rhythmic sparkle that comes alive in candlelight. The modern Round Brilliant has a larger table and is optimized for maximum white light return, producing rapid-fire scintillation in all lighting conditions. The choice is aesthetic: romantic vintage warmth (European Cut) vs. maximum modern brilliance (Round Brilliant). Lab-grown pricing makes both accessible.

European Cut Lab Grown Diamonds