Round-Cut Engagement Rings: The Complete Guide

Chances are at least one person you know has an engagement ring featuring a round-cut diamond. As the most popular jewelry style out there (the majority of diamonds sold are round), it’s everywhere—and for very good reason. This classic shape makes for a sparkly diamond that truly outshines all others. If you want something elegant and classy, but also blindingly brilliant, you can’t go wrong with a round stone.

We spoke with industry experts Olivia Landau, George Khalife, and Nicole Wegman to learn more about the pros and cons of round-cut stones, how to care for your ring, as well as everything a bride-to-be needs to know about selecting the perfect round-cut bling.

Pros and Cons of Round-Cut Diamonds

Aside from the fact that their popularity makes them easy to find, round-cut diamonds have a lot of other benefits. “Round diamonds are one of the most brilliant shapes and have great sparkle,” says Landau. When you get a round diamond, you can ensure that it’s going to be glittering all the time.

That’s not all, though: “They tend to mask color better than other shapes,” says Landau. “You can have more flexibility than other shapes.” With the right clarity levels, round diamonds will look bright and white. “They are great at camouflaging inclusions as well because of how sparkly they are,” adds Landau. They’re also super versatile: Round-cut diamonds look good in any setting and in any style ring.

It’s hard to find anything negative about a round-cut diamond, but there is one big downside: they’re pricey. “They are the most expensive diamond,” says Khalife. Between the demand for round diamonds and the way they never go out of style, this cut will cost you. Khalife also points out that round diamonds can sometimes look smaller than other cuts. Like many of us, if you’re on any sort of budget, this means you need to decide what’s more important to you: the carat size or the clarity and color.

What to Look for in a Round-Cut Diamond

• What should I look for in a round-cut diamond? Landau says to pay close attention to carat sizes when picking out a round diamond. “For most fancy cuts, their carat weight doesn’t necessarily directly correlate to how large the diamond will be,” she explains. “But for round brilliants (within the same cut grade), a larger carat weight generally means that it will be bigger.” 

• How does the cut influence the look of a round-cut diamond? “The cut determines how well proportioned and sparkly your stone will be,” Landau says. “Fun fact: Round brilliants have a cut grade because they have ideal proportions (a perfect circle). You want to make sure you have an excellent cut to get the most sparkle. The lowest I would recommend going is very good. Excellent to very good is the safe range!”
• Is the cut or carat size more important to consider when selecting a round-cut diamond? “I look at it like a big balancing scale with the carat, color, and clarity,” Khalife says. “Those who want to see that bigger sized diamond may have to sacrifice the color and clarity. Those who want to see a bright white diamond may need to balance with a smaller carat size.”

How to Care for a Round-Cut Diamond

As the ultimate piece that signifies your forever, you want to ensure that it stays looking its best forever, too. Being conscientious of where and how you wear your ring will save it from from appearing dull and worn. "Like any diamond cut, I always recommend taking off your engagement ring (and fine jewelry) before working out, showering, sleeping, etc," says Wegman. Regularly utilizing warm water and a soft-bristled tooth brush with a jewelry cleanser or even dish soap is another effort Wegman recommends practicing in order to remove any trapped dirt from your round-cut stone.

Establishing a routine for your ring allows its care and safety to become like second-nature. "Get in the habit of storing your ring in the same place every night so you don't misplace it," Wegman explains.

Ahead, discover 16 round-cut engagement rings we love.