When looking for diamond engagement rings, round brilliant cut diamonds are often the gem of choice. With their multi-faceted surface they appeal to many would be grooms as the perfect offering to their bride to be. Round brilliant styled cut stones are cut in a round shape with many facets to increase the brilliance of the diamonds in wedding ring sets.
First developed in 1919 by Marcel Tolkowsky, the round brilliant cut is comprised of 58 facets to take advantage of how light plays on the diamond, thus increasing its brilliance. The majority of engagement rings today are made up of round cut diamonds. They are also common in diamond stud earrings and pendant necklaces. Today’s modern cut diamond differs from Tolkowsky’s original cut. The culet (flat surface on the bottom of the stone) of today’s round brilliant cut is much smaller and in some cases is non-existent. In addition, the table or flat surface at the top of the diamond is larger than diamonds of old.
Round diamonds with the brilliant cut style are the most popular of diamond shapes today. When shopping for a round cut style of ring, there are things that the buyer should be aware of when visiting the local jewelry store. A bigger table will make the diamond appear bigger than it really is. The size of a diamond is determined by the diameter of the stone and not the size of the large table facet on the top. Many people have the misconception that a larger karat weight of the diamond means it’s of greater value. Round cut diamonds that are outside the ideal cut range are going to have smaller diameter size, thus not being worth as much as a diamond with an ideal cut.
Many consider the round brilliant cut diamond to be the most versatile as it fits well into most types of jewelry. However, as a general rule, round cut diamonds are usually more expensive because it is easier to retain the karat weight of a diamond if it is cut to a fancy shape than if it is cut to a round. Most stone cutters work to cut the diamond as close as possible to the ideal cut while trying to maintain as much of the karat weight of the diamond as possible.
With its shimmering brilliance and look of luxury, the round brilliant cut diamond is the premiere choice of those looking for distinguishing diamonds that stand out.