Round Cut Diamonds

As the most popular diamond shape, the round cut diamond represents over two-thirds of all diamonds sold. In this article, we aim to give you all the information you need about this stunning stone by covering the following topics:

• What are round cut diamonds?

• Why are round cut diamonds so popular?

• The price of round cut diamonds

• The cut quality of a round cut diamond

The round brilliant cut diamond boasts 58 eye-catching facets (including the culet), which is more than any other kind of cut. For this reason, round cuts reflect light exceptionally well and offer outstanding brilliance. With their captivating sparkle and classic appearance, round cut diamonds are often used in engagement rings, necklaces and other fine jewellery pieces.

The first known round diamonds were called European cut diamonds. Despite their circular appearance, they were very different from the round brilliant diamond cuts we see today.

In fact, the 58-facet cut did not exist until the 1900s, when Marcel Tolkowsky published a thesis called ‘Diamond Design: A Study of the Reflection and Refraction of Light in Diamond’. In essence, Tolkowsky created a mathematical formula for cutting diamonds proportionally. Thanks to advances in technology, Tolkowsky’s theory has been altered to perfection now.

Beauty: Diamond cutters have been perfecting the cutting process for round diamonds for over 100 years, resulting in gorgeous gemstones with a beautiful appearance.

Brilliance: Brilliance is what makes a diamond sparkle and refers to the amount of white light that reflects off of the diamond’s table. The ideal cut characteristics of a round diamond provide more brilliance than any other shape.

Fire: A diamond’s fire refers to the amount of coloured light that is dispersed by the diamond. A round diamond with an exceptional cut showcases an impressive amount of fire.

A well-cut round brilliant diamond delivers an unmistakable light show. If it has a high-quality cut, most compromises in clarity, colour and even carat weight can be forgiven, which is why so many consider diamond cut to be the most important of the 4 Cs.

A diamond’s cut grade is also an indication of how well it is crafted, so understanding the GIA grading system is key to picking out a round brilliant diamond that is not only beautiful but also the best value.

There are five cut grades — Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor — and the grade evaluates the following:

• How the diamond appears when viewed face-up based on the attributes of brightness, fire and scintillation

• How well the diamond was designed to ensure durability and optimal weight

• The quality of the workmanship or craftsmanship that went into aligning and polishing the diamond’s facets

Aim for the highest possible grade when choosing a round cut diamond to add to your investment portfolio.

BNT Diamonds buys diamonds straight from the source to offer you the best quality diamonds at the best price. In addition, all our diamonds have passed through a renowned certification agency, such as GIA or HRD.

If you are interested in buying diamonds as a value investment, contact our expert team by email or call directly on +32 3 201 24 90.