Round Diamond
Engagement Rings
Exquisite round diamond engagement rings, treasured for their unsurpassed brilliance and fire, have been the leading style of engagement rings for over a century. To find out if this is the style you are looking for, use our helpful guide below which includes information about the characteristics of the round cut, pros and cons, best settings and extra shopping tips. Characteristics of the Round Brilliant Cut: The round brilliant cut is the most studied and analyzed diamond cut. Round diamond cuts are more than four hundred years old, but it was not until the year 1919 when the original round brilliant diamond was created by Marcel Tolkowsky.
Marcel applied his extensive mathematical knowledge to create a shape and cut which would maximize the brilliance and fire of the diamond. Years later, advances in laser technology and computer modeling led to today’s round brilliant cut – a cut with the highest amount of fire, brilliance and light dispersion that no other cut can quite equal. The cut itself includes 58 dazzling facets, and it preserves a large amount of the original rough diamond. Pros and Cons of Round Diamond Engagement Rings: The round cut diamond engagement ring style is one of the most versatile of all styles – and perhaps this is why round diamond engagement rings have been so popular for so long. Engagement rings featuring round brilliant cuts are available from small to large carat sizes, in solitaires, as a two or three stone ring, or coupled with additional channel stones wrapping around the band; the selection of styles is virtually endless. Because choice round brilliant diamonds can easily be found in a number of sizes and designs, couples can more readily find an engagement ring in this style that will fit their budget – from around $600 dollars to well over $200,000 dollars depending on the size of the center stone, style and band material.
The round shape of the brilliant cut diamond is also very suitable for everyday wear engagement rings – with no sharp corners or edges, the center stone will be less likely to catch on hair or clothes and no sharp edges will be vulnerable to chipping or breaking. With an impressive degree of fire and brilliance, a brilliant round diamond will also hide minute flaws in the diamond – color tints, inclusions and blemishes will not be so readily apparent – and shoppers will have an even greater amount of flexibility when it comes to looking for a beautiful but affordable diamond engagement ring. Grade parameters to keep in mind for round brilliant diamonds include: - G or above on the GIA Color Grade scale or a 1.5 and above on the AGS Color Grade scale.
- S12 and above on the GIA Clarity Grade scale or a 6 and above on the AGS Clarity Grade scale.
- Fair and above on the GIA Cut Grade scale or a 6 and above on the AGS Cut Grade scale.
If you go below these values, flaws in the diamond – color tints, inclusions or blemishes - will be visible. The strength or integrity of the diamond could also be greatly reduced if the diamond contains too many inclusions. Cons? We honestly tried to find cons associated with round diamond engagement rings – but we could not find any! The only cons which may occur (visible flaws, poor cut etc.) have to do with the quality of the cut instead of the cut itself – see shopping tips and precautions below. Best Settings for Round Diamond Engagement Rings: The number one setting for round cut diamond ring is the 4 prong setting. This type of setting will securely hold the center stone, and the open setting maximizes the amount of light which can enter the stone.
Find Round Diamond Engagement Rings at Brilliant Earth
Larger brilliant cut diamonds may need a 6 prong setting, but for most brilliant diamonds the 4 prong setting is perfect. The bezel setting – which wraps around the entire stone – can also be used for brilliant round diamond rings, but this type of closed setting will block a little bit of light. Brilliant cut diamonds with an excellent to ideal cut look their best in a 4 prong setting because their fire and brilliance qualities are maximized – a bezel setting should not be used on higher grade cut diamonds. However, bezel settings can be used in brilliant cut diamonds with a fair to good grade without overly affecting the brilliance and fire of the diamonds. Shopping Tips and Precautions: The brilliant round cut is not a patented cut, and unfortunately some jewelry stores sell ‘brilliant cut rings’ that are a poor representation of the real thing. To ensure that you are buying a quality round cut engagement ring, keep these tips in mind: Stick with retailers who only sell GIA, AGS or IGI (for international purchases) certified round cut diamond rings. With a certified grade report from a reputable laboratory, you will know – without a doubt – the quality of the diamond’s cut, clarity, and color. Use the grade parameters listed above. Keep in mind that if you go below those parameters, the ring could contain a diamond that has obvious visual imperfections – and the diamond’s strength could be affected by inner flaws. Shop for your engagement ring through a jeweler who offers at least a 30-day no-nonsense refund policy with your purchase.
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