Round diamonds are as classic as they are timeless and are often the shape people think of when picturing diamonds. Variations of the round shape have been used as long as diamonds have been cut. Their scintillating glimmer keeps them popular, and the round cut is considered to be the gold standard for diamonds in the eyes of diamond connoisseurs, gemologists, and everyday consumers. Interestingly, a round cut loses more of its original diamond carat weight during cutting and processing than any other shape. This, more than the shape's popularity, is what makes round cut diamonds more expensive than other shapes.
Below are the approximate diamond characteristics for round diamonds and their cut grading scales. A round diamond will typically be between 1.00 and 1.03 ratio. Above 1.05 length to width ratio, the diamond will not be quite round. For more information about round diamonds and their sizes, view our comprehensive round diamond size chart in millimeter and carat measurements
The earliest diamonds were fashioned with primitive tools at a time when it was only possible to place a few rudimentary facets on them. Because the most common diamond crystal is octahedral in shape, the easiest way to cut them was to grind down the points to form a large table on one end, a small culet on the other, and round out the corners. This resulted in the “old mine cut” diamond which was more rectangular than round, and an inspiration for the cushion cut. Over the years the round cut diamond was further refined with the addition of more facets to become the ‘old European cut’, the predecessor to the modern round brilliant.
Natural round diamonds and natural diamonds are essentially the same. They have the same look, sparkle and characteristics and are graded on the same parameters of carat, color, clarity and cut. Because the same like GIA and IGI are grading both natural diamonds, rest assured you can compare one to the other easily. Because the supply chain and the the manufacturing process for natural diamonds is shorter, Natural diamonds are typically about 30$ less expensive than natural diamonds of the same quality.
