Round Diamond Engagement Rings

Round diamond engagement rings are by far the most popular choice whether it be in a solitaire setting or surrounded by other diamonds and gemstones. The round (also known as the round brilliant cut) diamond was designed in 1919 and once it hit the market, there was no turning back!

This shape contains fifty-eight facets (fifty-seven if you don't count the culet which is the point at the bottom of the pavilion) and allows for light beams to bounce from the pavilion back through the crown with more intensity and fire than any of the other shapes. In other words, the round shape has Mega Bling!

That's why it's also called the round brilliant—because it has more sparkle and shine than any of the other cuts. In fact, the whole design is purposely shaped and formed with so many facets to give it that extra brilliancy and optimal light reflection.

Engaging fact: The Classic Tiffany Setting is a solitaire mount and has six prongs holding a round brilliant shaped diamond above a sleek band. It is the all time classic diamond solitaire engagement ring.

What does this mean for you and me? It means that a poorer grade diamond in a round brilliant shape and a fine or ideal diamond cut, will look better and have more fire, brilliance and sparkle just because of the shape—and that translates into more Bling for the buck!

So for those on a fixed budget (and who isn't these days), round diamond engagement rings will stretch your dollar further.

With the same money you can get a lower grade diamond, bump up the carat size, and have all the sparkle and quality of a higher grade stone. That's worth considering even if this wasn't your first choice of diamond shapes.

The pure round shape is also very versatile and will work in almost any setting, from a classic traditional diamond solitaire engagement ring or as part of a more elaborate design.

It can look modern or traditional and will match just about any style as you can see in the examples below.

Round Diamond Engagement Rings: Secrets & Tips

Want to make your diamond look bigger than it really is? Use a halo setting or a bezel setting in white gold or platinum.

A halo setting means that the center stone is surrounded by a halo of small diamonds. You can see an example in the picture above (2nd from the right in the bottom row). The small diamonds that frame the center stone give the illusion that your actual diamond is bigger. The small diamonds are often diamond chips and cost very little. It's one of a jewelry designer's biggest secrets for making a stone look more impressive than it really is.

Another trick of the trade is to use a bezel setting which frames the center stone with metal. This a great setting for active girls who don't want to worry about their engagement rings while going about their daily business or even playing sports. The secret here is to have the bezel setting in white gold or platinum which are similar in color to a diamond so it will make your diamond look bigger. There is a yellow gold example in the bottom right of the picture above.

Barbara Streisand, Pamela Anderson, Christina Aguilera, and Mary J. Blige are just a few of the celebrities who enjoy and wear round diamond engagement rings.

It just goes to show you how versatile this shape is and how it can work with anyone's personal style.