Everything You Need to Know About Round Cut Diamonds
Round cut diamonds are the classic diamond shape. Even the diamond emoji is a round cut! Statistically, round brilliant cuts are the most chosen center stones, with 70% of engagement rings featuring this timeless beauty. You might think a popular choice is boring, but au contraire! Brilliant cut diamonds are best-sellers for a reason—they sparkle like no other!
What is a Round Cut Diamond?
Round brilliant-cut diamonds feature 58 facets (or 57 without the culet—the flat base). A well-cut round diamond can reflect nearly 100% of light, making it the most brilliant option available. The cutting process for round diamonds does leave behind more raw material than other shapes, which can contribute to their higher price tag.
What’s more, round diamonds have a unique ability to mask yellowish tones and minor inclusions, thanks to their incredible light refraction. This means you can often find a stunning, well-cut diamond that shines brighter than a lower-quality diamond of the same color, allowing you to save money without sacrificing beauty.
Old European Cut Round Diamonds
Old European cut diamonds are the vintage equivalent of modern round cuts. Before advanced technology, these gems were hand-cut and measured by eye. They can be recognized by their higher crown, larger culet, and smaller table, producing a unique "inner fire." While these antique stones hold charm, they've largely been replaced by round brilliant cut diamonds, which deliver superior brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
Brilliance, Fire, and Scintillation
If you crave sparkle, round brilliant diamonds are unbeatable! The Pave Alex features a stunning 2.5 carat round diamond in yellow gold, showcasing the unmatched brilliance of this cut.
Round cut diamonds are celebrated for their spectacular sparkle. Diamond cutters have perfected techniques over the decades to maximize this shine. So, what makes a perfect cut? It all boils down to three essential factors:
Diamond Brilliance
- Brilliance is measured by the amount of white light reflected off the table.
- Well-cut round diamonds are designed to reflect as much white light as possible.
- The round cut provides more brilliance than any other shape.
Diamond Fire
Those little glints of rainbow light you see? That’s known as “fire.”
- Fire is measured by the amount of colored light reflected from the diamond.
- A well-cut stone showcases vibrant colors in its sparkle.
Diamond Scintillation
Scintillation is what puts the bling into brilliance!
- It refers to the flashes of light bouncing off each facet when the diamond is in motion.
- There are two types of scintillation:
- Flash scintillation is the bright white light reflected off a diamond.
- Fire scintillation is all about those colorful flashes.
- Round cut diamonds are favored for their scintillation, letting light in from every angle.
What does this mean for you? When choosing a round brilliant diamond, aim for an eye-clean stone (one that looks flawless to the naked eye) with a high cut grade. At SHENKRAIT & CO, we pre-select all our stones for brilliance, fire, and scintillation, ensuring you’ll dazzle!
Conclusion
Round cut diamonds are incredibly popular, yet they remain anything but ordinary. These gems boast a unique versatility, allowing them to shine in any setting. Whether you desire the brilliant radiance of a modern ring or the vintage charm of classic Victorian style, you can't go wrong with a round cut diamond. It’s a classic, elegant choice. Explore our exquisite collection of round brilliant engagement rings on our site today!