Stone Shape Guide: Round Cut Engagement Rings
When you’re proposing to someone, you’re asking them for a lifelong commitment. It’s not something you should just do on a whim, and your partner would probably appreciate a little extra effort being put into the planning of an event that will be remembered for a lifetime. A big part of that plan should include the ring. When purchasing a ring, it’s a good idea to have an understanding of the factors that affect the look and quality. We’ve prepared a quick guide on round cut engagement rings so that Glasgow clients can shop, armed with some extra knowledge on what will best suit their partner.
The round cut engagement ring is the most popular style out there by far. As the name suggests, the top of this style of diamond cut is round, with the bottom taking the shape of a cone. Somewhere in the realm of 75% of engagement rings contains a round cut diamond and it is generally regarded as the classic choice. It is sparkliest of all the diamonds cuts. It’s absolutely gorgeous and it will suit any person or setting. If you’re looking to buy a round cut engagement ring, the four C’s of diamond buying is pretty important to take note of. Clarity, cut, carat and colour all make a big difference when it comes to the overall quality and sparkle. The typical ratio for a round cut engagement ring is between 1.00 and 1.02, but what really matters are the angles and the light refraction.
When you think of diamonds, a round cut diamond is probably what immediately springs to mind. Our round cut engagement rings in Glasgow are some of our most popular products, and it’s easy to see why. Round cut engagement rings are the cut under the most consistent development, with experts looking to improve various aspects. The popularity of round diamonds isn’t a recent phenomenon. They’ve been the top choice for centuries. However, there was a sudden resurgence in interest in 1919 when Marcel Tolkowsky published an essay entitled, “Diamond Design: A Study of the Reflection and Refraction of Light in Diamond.” This essay examines angles, reflections and refractions to establish what constitutes a brilliant round cut, and it is why some stores refer to round cuts as Tolkowsky Ideal cuts. The standard that he set makes for a stone that optimises light reflection and makes for a more bright and brilliant diamond.
While they are gorgeous and highly coveted, the big issue with round cut diamonds is that they are significantly more expensive than other options available. On average they cost you between 25% – 35% more than a similar fancy shape like a princess cut or a marquis cut. This is because the yield from the rough on round cuts is pretty poor. While there are techniques and compromises that can be made, the majority of the time a lot of material is wasted. Additionally, the popularity of the round cut makes them more expensive. They are in high demand and consequently, places will charge higher prices for them than they would other shapes and this should be taken into consideration when purchasing.
There are a number of technical factors that determine the quality of a round cut diamond. As mentioned previously, the clarity, cut, colour and carat, all make a huge difference when it comes to this type of diamond, as the aim with a round cut is to be as brilliant and sparkly as possible. It’s the only type of diamond shape to have an official cut grading as they are easier to measure in terms of light performance. With all these things to consider, it can be off-putting to even start looking at round cut diamonds. Our team are happy to guide you through our stock of round cut engagement rings in Glasgow. We know what makes for a perfect diamond so that you don’t need to worry about it. To book an appointment, please get in contact.
