What is a round cut diamond?

What is a round cut diamond?

When it comes to selecting a diamond, the options are plentiful, but there’s one particular style that has stood the test of time: the round cut diamond. But what makes the simplest diamond cut the most popular? Let’s get into its pros and cons. 

What defines a round cut diamond? 

A round cut diamond is a diamond cut into a round circular shape. The round cut diamond is a classic choice, featuring 58 facets meticulously cut to maximise brilliance and sparkle. It really is the epitome of what you think of when you think of a diamond. Because the round cut is a ‘brilliant cut’, its perfectly placed facets make it the sparkliest diamond shape of them all. 

Advantages of a round cut diamond: 

• Unparalleled brilliance: Thanks to its precise faceting, the round cut offers exceptional sparkle and brightness. Essentially, if you’re all about the sparkle, a round cut is the one for you. 
• Versatile: Its timeless shape makes it suitable for a variety of settings and styles, from simple solitaires to more elaborate designs. 
• Hides inclusions well: The round cut is quite forgiving; its brilliance helps mask inclusions or colour tints in the diamond. This means you may be able to get away with a slightly ‘worse’ (I.e., cheaper) grade of diamond). 
• High resale value: Due to its enduring popularity, round cut diamonds tend to hold their value well over time. 
• ‘Can’t go wrong’: it’s such a classic design, that it’s hard to ‘go wrong’ with it, which is important factor to consider if you’re considering utilising a round cut in an engagement ring. 

Potential drawbacks of the round cut diamond: 

There really aren’t many cons that come to mind when thinking about the round cut diamond, but here are a few things to consider: 

• Price: Round cut diamonds are often more expensive than other shapes due to high demand and the amount of rough diamond lost during cutting. 
• May appear smaller: When compared carat-for-carat with other shapes, a round cut diamond may appear smaller – so you may need a larger carat weight than some other stones, which actually can appear larger than they are. 
• Some people consider it ‘boring’: a round cut is a very traditional option, which for some who want something a little different, may not think is unique enough. 

Choosing the perfect round cut diamond: 

• Focus on cut quality: Since brilliance is a round cut diamond’s hallmark, prioritise a high cut grade. 
• Consider carat and size: Decide on your preferred size and find a carat weight that matches your budget. 
• Balance the 4 Cs: Don’t forget about colour, clarity, and carat weight, but remember that a higher cut quality can compensate for lower grades in the other Cs. 

Looking for your perfect round cut diamond ring?

Take a look at our selection of round cut diamond engagement rings, here. However, if you think a round cut might be a little too traditional for you, read up on some of the other shapes available – such as pear cuts, cushion cuts and oval diamonds.