Shop for a Round Cut Diamond

Of all of the reasons to purchase a round brilliant diamond (and there are many) don't be moved to purchase one because of perceived size.

Ultimately, when compared to fancy shaped diamonds of the same carat weight, round brilliants seem smaller. But why is this and how do you then maximize your round cut diamond's size?

Primarily, round diamonds appear smaller because of their depth ratio. See, the depth of a diamond is the measurement from its table (the top surface that you see when looking straight down at a diamond) to the culet (or bottom point of the diamond). Round diamonds have a higher depth ratio than other types of fancy shaped diamonds, like ovals or Marquise. As a result, more of their carat weight has the opportunity to be distributed below their table, so they appear smaller when viewed from the top.

Round cut diamonds also have an incredibly symmetrical shape with the beloved rounded edges and soft circular outline. This creates the perception of a smaller size when compared to other diamonds. Of course, keep in mind that perception of size is totally influenced by personal preferences and subjectivity. Many people, knowing that the round brilliant is the number one choice cut for a diamond, actually perceive as being larger than other comparable fancy shaped diamonds.

If you want your round brilliant diamond to rival the perceived size of any fancy shaped diamond there are a few tricks to employ. First, consider halos. A halo is a diamond-shaped piece of additional stone that sits around your stone’s center point (you know, like a halo). It creates a larger appearance and makes the diamond look like it has more facets than it actually does.

Additionally, consider incorporating multiple stones. Three stone settings create lots of extra sparkle and make your stone seem larger than it is. And while you’re considering multiple stones, consider prongs as well. A good prong setting with lots of small prongs can create a longer-looking diamond with more depth and sparkle.

Just remember that size isn't everything. And sure, round brilliant diamonds may appear smaller than fancy shaped diamonds —but that doesn’t mean it’s not as beautiful. All that is important is if your diamond makes you happy.

When it comes to diamonds, you can’t get more classic than a round brilliant. Essentially, round brilliant diamonds are lab or natural diamonds that have been cut and polished in accordance with the round brilliant diamond shape and facets.

Round brilliant diamonds are the most popular cut of diamond currently on the market. Admirers love the characteristic extreme brilliance and fire that the round brilliants emit. In the realm of diamonds, the round brilliant cut stands as the epitome of timeless elegance and sophistication. These diamonds, whether sourced from nature or created in a laboratory, undergo a meticulous transformation through cutting and polishing to embody the iconic round brilliant shape and facets. This particular cut is celebrated for its ability to showcase the diamond's inherent beauty and maximize its brilliance.

The round brilliant diamond, with its symmetrical and carefully calibrated design, has claimed the throne as the most popular cut in today's diamond market. Its enduring popularity can be attributed to the mesmerizing optical effects it produces, capturing the hearts of admirers worldwide. The cut comprises precisely arranged facets – 57 or 58 in total – including a table, crown, girdle, and pavilion, each playing a crucial role in enhancing the stone's visual allure.

What sets round brilliant diamonds apart is the exceptional play of light they exhibit. The facets are strategically angled to optimize the reflection and refraction of light within the diamond, resulting in a dazzling display of brilliance and fire. This characteristic glow, unique to round brilliants, adds a distinctive charm to any jewelry piece they adorn.

The widespread admiration for round brilliant diamonds is not merely a fleeting trend; it is rooted in the enduring appeal of their classic beauty. Whether gracing engagement rings, earrings, or other jewelry, round brilliants continue to captivate with their timeless allure. In essence, the round brilliant diamond is more than a gem; it is a symbol of everlasting elegance, making it the quintessential choice for those seeking a classic and sophisticated expression of love and luxury.

Surprisingly, not all round diamonds are brilliant cut. This is because the brilliant part of the round brilliant refers to the type of faceting the diamond contains. And while most round diamonds are round brilliants, there are various faceting patterns that can create a non-brilliant round diamond-like old European and rose cut diamonds. Let’s get into why these diamonds are different (though have the same shape) than round brilliants.

Old European Round Diamonds: Consider the old European diamond as the precursor to the round brilliant. These diamonds were perfected and gained popularity from the late 19th to the early 20th centuries. They were created by modifying their parent cut, the old mine cut, to be less square and more round.

Old Europeans were originally cut by hand when candlelight was the only means of lighting during dark hours. This implies two things: first, compared to round brilliants, old Europeans retain more cut imperfections (due to the manual cutting process versus machine cutting), and second, because of this, old Europeans offer a more color-forward, rainbow sparkle. Today, old European diamonds are beloved by the off-beat and vintage-loving brides who prefer the shape of the round brilliant with the soft-flickering romanticism of the old European.

Rose Cut Round Diamonds: If the old European cut diamond is considered the parent of the modern day round brilliant, then the rose cut could be considered the grandparent. The rose cut originated before the old European around the 16th century. Inspired by, you guessed it, the petals of a rose, rose cut diamonds have a distinctive faceting pattern with no pavilion. Yep, rose cut diamonds have a flat booty. And because of this, light that enters the diamond has nowhere to go but out the bottom. As a result, they simply don’t sparkle like round brilliants. But what they lack in sparkle, they make up for in vintage and romantic appeal. After all, the only thing sweeter than a rose is, perhaps, the rose cut diamond.

If you’re looking for your dream round brilliant diamond then just be prepared to spend a little more money. On average, round brilliant diamonds cost 10-30% more than fancy cut diamonds. But don’t panic, when there is a will, there’s a way- and there are plenty of ways to source your dream round diamond. The first thing you’ll want to know about the cost of round diamonds is why they are so much more dang expensive. Primarily, and perhaps most importantly when it comes to determining price, round brilliant diamonds create the most diamond waste. You see, every cut diamond starts life out as a rough diamond. Diamond cutters assess the rough diamond and based on various factors such as clarity, size, and color, determine what shape the rough diamond is best suited for. Different diamond shapes utilize different amounts of rough diamond. For example, an oval diamond can be cut without leaving many unusable rough diamond scraps. The round diamond, however, is a different story and it can be very hard to reuse the diamond scraps created from cutting a round diamond which then increases the price.

Additionally, round diamonds are, without a doubt, the most popular diamond shape for those looking to buy diamonds. Market demand will always drive prices, so as the demand for a round diamonds increases, so does the price.

Finally, a third important factor to consider is how a round diamond is graded. Primarily, in that, it is graded. See, round diamonds are so beloved in the diamond industry (and so regulated) that the Gemological Institute of America has based their cut-grading system off of the round diamond completely. Yep, all of the fancy diamonds out there don’t actually receive the same cut grade as a round brilliant. And because round diamonds receive that extra accolade, it only makes sense that they also cost a little extra more.

Luckily, we can help, we offer sourcing and design services and have access to thousands and thousands of sparkling diamonds. We can help you narrow your search to find the perfect round brilliant diamond that is still within your budget. Reach out to us or shoot us an email to get started fulfilling your diamond dreams now.

A standard round diamond will have 57 or 58 angular spread across three main areas: The table, girdle, and pavilion. Let’s break these areas down and discuss the facets more in-depth to understand exactly what this means for round brilliant diamonds. When you look at your round diamond face-up, the first thing you might notice is a large flat facet on top. That facet is called a table facet and is responsible for gathering light from above and either reflecting it back out or directing it down into your round brilliant diamond.

Around the table facet, there are 32 other facets and include: eight bezel, eight star, and sixteen upper half facets. All of these facets along with the table facet make up what is called the crown of your diamond.

Directly beneath the crown, separating the crown from the pavilion is the diamond’s girdle. And like the undergarment of the same name, the girdle encircles the outer edge (aka largest part) of the diamond. Usually, the girdle is what touches the setting on your engagement ring. Because of this, it’s best to rule out any round brilliant diamonds with a girdle rating (because, yeah, they’ll rate that too) of extremely thick or extremely thin. An extremely thick girdle will offer poor light return and an extremely thin girdle can chip. And no one wants that.

Let’s talk about your round cut diamond’s pavilion now. The pavilion is essentially all of the diamond beneath the girdle and accounts for a big part of the overall sparkle of your diamond. Here, it is very important to pay attention to the depth of the pavilion. Why? Most of the light that your diamond catches will make its way into the pavilion of your round cut diamond. There, specific facets reflect the light back out, causing it to hit other facets on its way out thus producing the fire, brilliance, and scintillation that makes a round cut diamond so great. If your diamond has a very deep pavilion, the light entering will refract at a very low point (essentially getting lost) and diminishes overall brilliance.

Additionally, if your diamond’s pavilion is too shallow, the light will not bounce and will simply exit the diamond near the culet (the point on the diamond where the pavilion facets meet). To prevent this, it’s best to aim for a pavilion that is not too deep or shallow. Questions? Contact our expert diamond concierge. We can help walk you through any questions or concerns to ensure you find the round brilliant cut diamond of your dreams.