The round cut diamond, also known as the brilliant cut, has been the default choice for most diamond engagement rings and jewelry over the last few decades.
But if you’re looking to purchase a diamond and are considering the round cut, it’s important to be aware of some of its drawbacks and advantages, so you can make an informed decision about which type of diamond you’d like to buy. Here are some things to consider about the round cut diamond.
Why Choose a Round Cut Diamond
Although less traditional than other diamond cuts, a round cut is still one of most common and popular cuts in which diamonds are available.
The popularity of round-cut diamonds stems from their versatility; they can be used to create stunning solitaire rings, drop earrings or a gorgeous pendant. Plus, there are more flaws that can affect diamond quality, including color and clarity. Because round-cut diamonds make it easier to mask flaws, they tend to cost less than other shapes with fewer imperfections (like princess cut diamonds).
If you’re looking for a no-frills way to create a breathtaking piece of jewelry with your own personal touch, choose a round-cut diamond!
The carat
The weight of a diamond is one of its most important characteristics. To put it simply, a larger diamond will always be more expensive than a smaller one. But you may ask: do bigger diamonds always look better? It depends on your tastes—if you prefer your jewelry to look chunky and big, you can check blue nile or jamesallen.
If you like dainty pieces that are easy to pair with any outfit or occasion, stick with something small and light.
Many people choose to go with round cuts because they’re commonly seen as beautiful. but there are countless other shapes that add their own sparkle to any piece of jewelry; perhaps a cushion cut would suit your style best! A diamond’s color: White diamonds can range from clear (colorless) to brown.
The Clarity
Clarity is a measure of how much invisible inclusions (also known as flaws) are within a diamond. There are 10 grades of clarity, ranging from FL to IF. The number signifies how many inclusions can be seen under 10x magnification. . Rounds with higher clarity will cost more than rounds with lower clarity.
For example, a VS1 round could cost twice as much as an SI1 round even though they have exactly same weight and quality otherwise.
In addition, if you do go for a round cut diamond, make sure it is laser inscribed if your budget permits it. Laser inscriptions on diamonds can help increase its value dramatically or more!
And finally, if you’re going for a high-end round cut diamond then try to find one that has been graded by AGS (American Gem Society).
The AGS grading process is very stringent and rigorous so it is not cheap but having such a grading report increases trust in potential buyers of your stone.
Also note that when choosing between GIA and AGS certifications GIA certification gives better transparency about actual stone characteristics whereas AGS certification includes some opinions about color and shape along with information about clarity etc.
The Color
The first thing you want to do is find out what kind of diamond you’re buying. When choosing a round diamond, one of the most important things to consider is color.
The GIA grading diamonds on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). Colorless is obviously ideal, but it can be incredibly expensive and impractical.
In general, many experts say that you should buy only if your budget will allow for at least a H-I color grade; anything less than that and you’ll lose some of sparkle and brilliance in comparison with higher grades.
Some diamond sellers are known to sell low-quality stones as high quality ones—so it’s important to know what you’re looking for.
Another thing to consider when choosing a round cut diamond is its cut quality. A poorly cut stone won’t have much shine or fire—it’ll look dull and lifeless instead of brilliant and gorgeous!
For example, an Ideal cut diamond has 58 facets while an Excellent one has 57 facets; small differences like these can make all the difference in how beautiful your stone looks.
The Cut
The most important aspect of round cut diamonds is that they have no corners. A round cut diamond will show off more surface area and usually allow light to reflect evenly through its facets, giving you a larger overall stone with a strong visual impact.
This may be what you’re after if your goal is to get as much sparkle as possible out of one stone. The only downside to round cut diamonds is that their size can vary drastically depending on its proportions.
If you want a larger diamond, or one that’s very sparkly, and you’re fine with a smaller stone in general, a round cut may be your best bet. Another advantage of round cut diamonds is their versatility.
While it can look beautiful on its own, it also looks amazing set into an engagement ring or surrounded by other diamonds. This can help bring down the cost per carat when buying more than one stone at once.
History of Round Diamond
The story of round diamonds starts with their first use in jewelry. However, it’s hard to say exactly when that occurred because there’s no historical evidence.
Some sources even say that ancient civilizations used square and rectangular stones. Others disagree, saying diamonds weren’t commonly used until after medieval times (ca. 13th century), but there are drawings from 500 B.C., which would make them among some of the earliest pieces of diamond-cut jewelry to have ever existed.
That doesn’t mean round cut diamonds were common at that time though; a handful of historians point out that people didn’t value gemstones back then, so they may not have been using all they could find!
The 4Cs of Diamond Quality
The 4Cs are color, clarity, cut and carat weight. These four factors describe a diamond’s overall quality. The 4Cs aren’t actually part of a diamond; they are used to assess diamonds based on characteristics that can be seen and felt under 10x magnification.
Color is graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow).
Clarity refers to how many imperfections are visible within the stone; none would be FL (flawless), VS1 or VS2 (very slight inclusions) and so on.
Carat refers to the weight of a stone.
Type of Round Diamonds
Basically, Round Diamonds are classified into two categories :
1-Brilliant cut round diamonds One of round cut diamond with 58 facets and one set of girdle facets across the widest point and two sets of girdles down each side.
2-Old european round: old european round or old mine cut, which is a 57 faceted diamond with an additional girdle to make it 60. These diamonds were common in earlier times, but are only found rarely today. Most diamonds found will be brilliant-cut which accounts for more than 98% of all diamonds sold in retail stores, online or otherwise. The other two types of cuts that you may see occasionally are marquise and oval.
Tips on Selecting The Perfect Engagement Ring Setting
There are a few different things to keep in mind when choosing a setting. Each choice carries its own pros and cons, so it’s important to make sure you’re selecting one that is right for your engagement ring and your budget.
The 4 main types of settings are: prong, halo, pave, and bezel. Below is some information on each style:
Prong setting
A prong setting is one of the most common types of settings and is known for its secure hold. The prongs are what keep your diamond in place. This type of setting also has a lot of sparkle, so it’s perfect if you’re looking to make a statement with your engagement ring.
Halo setting
A halo is a circle that surrounds your center stone and gives it extra support. It’s perfect if you have an especially large center stone that needs extra security or if you want to add smaller diamonds around your main diamond.
Pave setting
Pave are a lot like prong settings. The stones are usually smaller and have extra diamonds on top of them that form a border around your center stone.
Bezel setting
If you’re looking for something a little more simple and classic, then a bezel setting might be right up your alley! A bezel setting is when all of your diamonds sit in an open-backed metal ring.
This style is especially popular because it shows off more of your diamond and makes it easier to choose matching wedding bands. Now that you know about all of these different types of settings, you can check Blue nile or jamesAllen both have wide variety of options.
Round Cut Diamond VS Oval Cut Diamond
It should come as no surprise that diamonds can be cut in many different shapes. While a round-cut diamond has its place, it’s not always best suited to a person’s budget or style.
The oval diamond is sometimes a better option because it allows you to achieve elegance and sophistication without spending as much money.
Oval diamonds have been around for centuries, but they have become increasingly popular in recent years. It is important to know that there are two primary types of oval diamonds: standard oval and oblong.
Ovals range from long and narrow to short and wide, with several variations along those lines. Regardless of their shape, ovals offer several unique advantages over round diamonds in terms of style and value.
For example, an oval diamond will generally have more facets than a round one. This means that an oval can look larger than a similar round-cut stone of equal carat weight. And since an oval is less symmetrical than a round stone, it will reflect light differently—producing sparkle in ways that make it stand out from other stones.
In addition to being more visually appealing than rounds, ovals also tend to cost less per carat because they’re less common and demand isn’t as high.
Is a round brilliant cut diamond good?
Now, how do you know if a round brilliant cut diamond is right for you? Let’s take a closer look at each style to help you make your decision. If any of these descriptions seem to sound like you, then a round brilliant cut diamond may be your best bet.
if you want something with more fire and brilliance than what a round brilliant offers, consider a princess cut or radiant cut. Or maybe you prefer something with more sparkle and luster than what’s provided by standard rounds.
In that case, take a look at cushion or emerald cuts instead. The possibilities are endless!
Is a round cut diamond more expensive?
Generally, round cut diamonds are a bit more expensive than other cuts . However, many people prefer them because of their classic look and simple elegance.
As with all things related to diamonds and gemstones, you should always do some research before buying. This will allow you to ensure that your investment is worth it—and that you get exactly what you want. If in doubt, head over to a reputable jeweler and take a look at some sample stones.
How To Buy Round Cut Diamond
Although most people associate round cut diamonds with engagement rings, you have lots of options when it comes to cut.
Round diamonds are also an excellent choice for earrings, pendants and bracelets.
And, if you’re willing to spend a little more, you can even buy a fancy shape diamond like emerald or heart shaped. Just remember that some cuts are more brilliant than others, meaning they sparkle more brightly than others under a light source.
An emerald cut will sparkle far less than a princess cut—and neither will compare to something like an asscher or radiant cut! So be sure to consider your preferences before making your final selection.
Blue Nile
It is an excellent place to start your search since it’s one of the oldest and most reputable online retailers.
They have thousands of different cuts and shapes, so you can pick out exactly what you want before ever making a purchase.
JamesAllen
is another great choice if you’re looking to buy round-cut diamonds Unlike other retailers on our list. They offer a huge variety of custom rings, as well as settings in white gold and platinum.
if you can’t find exactly what you’re looking for on their website, chances are that they’ll do it for you! With lots of buying options including plans and financing options, making your purchase won’t be a problem.
Conclusion
The round cut diamond is a timeless and elegant choice. Though it may be more difficult to set than other shapes.
it’s well worth the effort if you’re looking for something truly classic.
A round diamond will bring an element of sophistication to any piece of jewelry that you choose to wear and can help you shine on even your most important occasions. When shopping for a round cut diamond, make sure to keep these simple guidelines in mind