Round Cut Lab Diamonds
The round cut diamond is one of the most popular and timeless diamond shapes. It is a classic choice for engagement rings, wedding bands, and other types of jewelry.
Round Cut Diamonds
The round cut diamond was first introduced in the 17th century. Prior to this, diamonds were primarily cut into various shapes, such as table cuts and rose cuts. The round cut was a significant innovation in diamond cutting because it allowed for maximum light reflection and brilliance. Over time, advancements in technology have made it possible to create even more precise and symmetrical round cut diamonds.
Characteristics of the Round Cut Diamond:
The round cut diamond is a brilliant-cut diamond, which means that it is designed to maximize the amount of light that enters and exits the diamond. The round cut diamond has a circular shape and typically has 58 facets, which are arranged in a specific pattern to optimize light performance. This pattern includes a table (the top flat surface), a crown (the top of the diamond between the table and the girdle), a girdle (the widest part of the diamond), and a pavilion (the bottom of the diamond between the girdle and the culet). The precise arrangement and size of these facets determine the diamond's brilliance, fire, and scintillation.
Quality Factors of the Round Cut Diamond:
When evaluating a round cut diamond, there are several quality factors to consider. The most important are known as the 4Cs: carat weight, color, clarity, and cut.
Carat Weight:
The carat weight of a round cut diamond refers to its weight, not its size or diameter. One carat is equal to 0.2 grams, and diamonds are typically sold in fractions of a carat (e.g., 0.5 carats, 1.0 carat, 1.5 carats, etc.).
Color:
The color of a round cut diamond refers to how much color is present in the diamond. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades diamond color on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). The less color a diamond has, the higher its value.
Clarity:
The clarity of a round cut diamond refers to how many inclusions (internal flaws) and blemishes (external flaws) are present in the diamond. The GIA grades diamond clarity on a scale from Flawless (no inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification) to Included (inclusions and blemishes visible to the naked eye).
Cut:
The cut of a round cut diamond refers to how well it has been cut and polished. The GIA grades diamond cut on a scale from Excellent to Poor. A well-cut diamond will have optimal light performance and will be more valuable than a poorly cut diamond.
Pros of Round Cut Diamonds:
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Timeless and Classic appeal.
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Excellent sparkle and brilliance.
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Versatile for various jewelry settings.
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Can hide inclusions better.
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Widely available in the market.
Cons of Round Cut Diamonds:
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Higher cost per carat.
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May appear slightly smaller.
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Less unique compared to fancy shapes.
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Potential bowtie effect in poorly cut diamonds.
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Multiple facet reflections in certain lighting.
Buying Tips for Round Cut Diamonds:
If you are in the market for a round cut diamond, here are some tips to keep in mind:
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Set a budget: Before you start shopping, decide how much you are willing to spend on a diamond. This will help you narrow down your options and avoid overspending.
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Choose a reputable jeweler: Look for a jeweler who is knowledgeable and experienced in selling diamonds. Check their reviews and ratings to ensure that they have a good reputation.
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Consider the 4Cs: When evaluating a diamond, consider the carat weight, color, clarity, and cut. Determine which factors are most important to you and prioritize accordingly.
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Optimize for cut: The cut of a diamond is the most important factor in determining its beauty and value.
Were to Buy Princess Round Cut Diamonds:
Numerous online retailers specialize in selling diamonds, including round cut lab diamond. Make sure to choose well-established and reputable brand with customer reviews and certifications for their diamonds. Some popular online diamond retailers include Clean Origin, Ritani, With Clarity, James Allen.
Buy Wisely
Be sure to consider the 4 Cs of diamond quality when choosing your diamond, and choose a reputable retailer that offers warranties and return policies to ensure your satisfaction with your purchase.
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Are Lab-Grown Diamonds as Strong as Real Diamonds?Absolutely! Lab-created diamonds sit atop the list of hardest substances on earth, sharing the space with natural diamonds. In terms of strength, hardness, and durability, lab-grown diamonds are an equal match to natural diamonds.
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What are the raw materials used in creating lab-grown diamonds?You already know that the HPHT process uses a diamond wrapped inside a ball of carbon to create diamonds. However, what you don’t know is that an alloy of iron, nickel, or cobalt is usually used in the process too. If it’s the CVD method, hydrocarbon gases are used as carbon sources, and nothing else.
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How Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Differ From Cubic Zirconia and Moissanite?Contrary to popular misconception, cubic zirconia and moissanite are NOT lab-grown diamonds. Although many people confuse them as synthetic diamonds, they are not related to diamonds (natural or lab-grown) in any way. In fact, both cubic zirconia and moissanite have physical, chemical, and optical properties vastly different from diamonds. They are what’s known commercially as “imitation diamonds.” So, if anyone is advertising cubic zirconia or moissanite jewelry as lab-grown diamond rings, necklaces, earrings, and so on, then avoid them altogether.
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Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Come In Different Colors?Yes, they do. Like natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds often have subtle tints that may or may not be visible to the naked eye. A competent gemologist can differentiate between clear and colored lab-grown diamonds, although regular consumers may not be able to. Also, yes, their prices are closely related to their color. The crystal-clear lab-grown gems with no color tints command the highest price. In most cases, you’ll find a yellow or bluish tint, which indicates the presence of nitrogen and boron, respectively, in trace quantities. Also, CVD diamonds often have a brown tint to them. If you are looking for affordable colorless gems, then HPHT are the best lab grown diamonds for you. They are usually colorless but cost twice as much as CVD diamonds for the same reason.
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Do lab diamonds sparkle less?Lab-created diamonds, also known as synthetic or cultured diamonds, have the same chemical composition and physical properties as natural diamonds. Therefore, their ability to sparkle and reflect light is essentially the same. The sparkle of a diamond is determined by its cut, clarity, and the way light interacts with its facets, regardless of whether it's lab-grown or mined from the earth. When it comes to sparkle, the most important factor is the diamond's cut. A well-cut diamond will reflect and refract light in a way that maximizes its brilliance and sparkle. Both natural and lab-grown diamonds can be cut to excellent standards, allowing them to exhibit exceptional sparkle. It's worth noting that the appearance of sparkle can also be influenced by other factors such as the quality of the cut, the presence of inclusions or flaws, and the overall design of the jewelry piece in which the diamond is set. These factors apply to both lab-created and natural diamonds.
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Will a lab diamond fail a diamond tester?No, a lab-grown diamond should not fail a diamond tester. Diamond testers are designed to determine whether a gemstone is a diamond based on its electrical and thermal conductivity properties. Both natural and lab-created diamonds have similar thermal conductivity, as they are composed of carbon atoms arranged in a crystal lattice structure. Therefore, a diamond tester should accurately identify a lab-grown diamond as a diamond. However, it's important to note that diamond testers are not foolproof and can sometimes give false positive or false negative results. Other gemstones or diamond simulants with similar thermal conductivity properties, such as moissanite, can sometimes yield positive results on a diamond tester. Therefore, it's recommended to use additional testing methods, such as visual inspection or professional gemological analysis, to confirm the identity of a gemstone.