Round Cut Diamonds
Few diamond shapes embody elegance like the round diamond. Beloved across generations, this classic cut accounts for over 75% of cut diamond sales worldwide—an enduring symbol of love and beauty. Known for its unmatched sparkle, the round brilliant cut diamond is expertly crafted to reflect maximum light, creating breathtaking brilliance with every turn.
With its perfect symmetry and classic charm, the round cut diamond remains the most sought-after shape in the world of fine jewellery. Whether showcased in a round cut diamond ring or passed down as a treasured heirloom, its appeal is everlasting.
In this diamond guide, we explore the enduring magic and sparkle of the brilliant round diamond, the true heart of every luxury collection or the perfect stone to your engagement ring.
What is a round brilliant cut diamond?
The round cut diamond is the most classic of all diamond shapes. Evolving from early designs in the 17th century, the round cut has been refined over centuries to capture unmatched brilliance. It's timeless circular silhouette is cherished for both its symmetry and enduring romantic appeal.
How Many Facets does a round brilliant cut diamond have?
A round brilliant cut diamond features 58 expertly angled facets. These facets are precisely cut to reflect light from every angle, creating the extraordinary sparkle that defines the brilliant cut diamond.
Why choose a round brilliant cut diamond?
The round brilliant cut diamond is beloved for its unmatched sparkle and fire. This classic shape has graced engagement rings for over a century, prized for its timeless beauty and versatility. Whether set as a solitaire or surrounded by a halo, a round diamond flatters every hand and matches every style with iconic elegance.
What does a round cut diamond symbolise?
A round diamonds perfectly circular shape represents eternity, wholeness, and an unbroken bond — the essence of lasting love. The round brilliant cut diamond isn’t just beautiful; it’s meaningful. It reflects a love that is complete, infinite, and brilliantly alive. Whether you're drawn to its sparkle or the symbolism behind it, the round cut diamond ring remains a heartfelt and poetic choice.
Round cut Diamond at a glance
- The most popular diamond shape worldwide.
- A diamond cut that offers maximum brilliance.
- Known for its symmetry and classic silhouette.
- Higher cost per carat due to greater rough diamond waste.
- Performs beautifully even at lower colour and clarity grades, especially compared to other diamond cuts.
- Readily available, with endless options from round cut diamond engagement rings to statement solitaires.
Get the most out of your round brilliant cut diamond with the 4c's
Unlock the full brilliance of your round cut diamond by mastering the 4Cs—cut, colour, clarity, and carat. From sparkle to sophistication, choosing the right combination ensures your round diamond delivers maximum impact and lasting beauty, at a price that works for you.
Choosing Round diamond colour
When selecting a round diamond colour, much depends on your chosen engagement ring setting and personal taste. Diamond colour is graded from D (the most colourless) down the alphabet, with D to F considered ‘colourless’—a perfect match for the crisp brilliance of a round brilliant cut diamond.
If you’ve chosen a platinum or white gold setting, it’s best to stay within the D–F range, as warmer tones are more noticeable against cool metals. But if your heart is set on yellow gold or rose gold, you can confidently explore slightly lower grades of round diamond engagement rings—such as G or H—without sacrificing visual beauty. These warmer precious metals soften the appearance of colour, helping your diamond appear whiter than it actually is.
This can be a clever way to optimise your budget, allowing you to invest more in other areas, such as carat or clarity, while still enjoying the elegance of a beautifully bright round cut diamond.
What is the best clarity for a round diamond?
The beauty of a round brilliant cut diamond lies in its ability to dazzle. Its faceted structure reflects light so effectively that small internal marks—known as inclusions—often go unnoticed. This means you can explore diamond clarity grades like VS2 or SI1 and still enjoy an eye-clean diamond with breathtaking sparkle.
Perfectly flawless diamonds are incredibly rare—and come with a significant price tag. Unless you're choosing a very large stone (over 3.00ct), opting for a slightly included clarity grade offers excellent value without compromising beauty. At VS2 or SI1, inclusions are too small to see without magnification, making them ideal for a brilliant cut diamond.
This approach allows you to invest more in carat or colour, while still securing a stone that looks pristine to the naked eye.
Choosing a round diamond cut grade
When it comes to round brilliant diamonds, cut is king. This single factor has the greatest impact on how much your round diamond sparkles — more than clarity or even colour. A well-cut diamond will shimmer with light, fire and brilliance from every angle, while a poorly cut stone may appear lifeless, regardless of its other qualities.
Round diamonds are graded for cut from Poor to Excellent, and we always recommend looking for a stone with an Excellent or at least Very Good grade. These reflect the finest balance of proportion, symmetry and polish.
Some round diamonds are referred to as "heart and arrows" diamonds, referring to diamonds that have been cut with such precision that they reveal a symmetrical pattern under magnification — a testament to truly exceptional craftsmanship.
Whether you're looking for maximum sparkle or a symbol of expert artistry, your diamond’s cut grade is where to begin and ensures your diamond sits centre stone in your jewellery.
How do you know if a round brilliant diamond is well cut?
A well-cut round diamond is a marvel of geometry and light. With 58 carefully angled facets, its brilliance relies on perfect proportion and precision. To determine cut quality, gem graders assess three main factors: visual beauty (how fiery and bright the diamond appears), design (the proportions of the stone), and craftsmanship (how expertly the stone has been faceted and polished).
There are key indicators that help you spot a well-cut round brilliant cut diamond:
- Table Ratio: This is the large, flat facet on the diamond’s top. A well-balanced stone will have a table that’s not too big or too small — ideally between 52–60% of the diamond’s width. This allows light to enter and reflect without overwhelming the sparkle of the surrounding facets.
- Depth Ratio: This refers to the vertical height of the diamond. A good depth ratio sits between 59–62.5%, allowing light to bounce and refract within the stone, rather than escaping through the base.
When these proportions are finely tuned, the result is a diamond full of life and light. The best brilliant cut diamonds will also boast Excellent or Very Good symmetry and polish grades — both key to achieving that crisp, even sparkle. If in doubt, always ask your jeweller for a detailed breakdown of the diamond’s cut stats. With round cuts especially, a well-cut stone is worth every sparkle.
Our top tips on round diamonds
- Invest in sparkle - a top-tier cut, such as an excellent or very good grade, will give your round diamond its famous fire.
- Know where to save - clarity grades like VS2 and SI1 still look flawless without the hefty price tag.
- Match colour to metal - choose your diamond colour based on your circumstance, but a good rule of thumb is whiter diamonds (D–F) shine best in platinum, while warmer tones suit yellow gold.
- Don't overlook the detail - excellent polish and symmetry bring precision to every facet.
- Plan for the premium - as the most sought-after shape, round diamonds often come at a higher cost.
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FAQs | ROUND DIAMONDs
A round brilliant cut diamond refers to a diamond that looks like a circle when viewed from above. It's cut is designed to maximise sparkle by reflecting light from every angle, making it the most popular diamond shape.
Yes, all modern round diamonds are technically brilliant cut. The brilliant cut refers to a specific diamond cutting style that focuses on maximising light reflection and sparkle. For round diamonds, this cut involves 58 precisely proportioned facets that are designed to enhance the diamond’s brilliance, ensuring it shines with maximum fire and scintillation from every angle.
A round diamond typically has 58 facets, including the table, crown, pavilion, and culet.
Round cut diamonds are often more expensive than other shapes due to their popularity and the precise cutting process. The high demand and the complexity of cutting a round diamond contribute to its higher price point.
The higher cost of round cut diamonds stems from the labour-intensive process of cutting them. A significant amount of rough diamond is lost during the cutting process, making it less efficient than other shapes. This, combined with their popularity and visual brilliance, drives up the price.
While both are important, clarity should be the priority for a round brilliant cut diamond. Due to its sparkle, inclusions in a round diamond are less noticeable than in other shapes. For the best value, opt for VS2 to SI1 clarity, where inclusions are invisible to the naked eye.
Oval diamonds have a similar brilliance to round diamonds, but their sparkle can sometimes appear softer due to their elongated shape. Round brilliant cut diamonds, with their precise facets, tend to have slightly more intense scintillation.
While both round diamonds and princess cut diamonds have great sparkle, princess cuts tend to look larger due to their square shape, which often appears to cover more surface area. However, a round brilliant cut diamond may appear more sparkly and vibrant.