Why Round Is the Most Popular Diamond Shape

A round brilliant returns more light to your eye than any other cut. Its 57 or 58 facets were worked out mathematically to maximize light return; every other shape trades sparkle for outline.

Two things follow. Round lab grown diamonds hide color and inclusions better than any other shape, because the returned light disguises them. And round never looks of its era, one cut in 1960 still looks current.

What Color & Clarity to Choose for a Round

The sweet spot is G–H color and VS–SI clarity.

• G–H color faces up white once set. D–F costs more for a difference you won't see on the hand.
• VS–SI clarity is eye-clean in a round brilliant lab grown diamond. The light return hides inclusions that would show in an emerald.

Spend what you save on a cut grade. An Excellent cut in G/VS2 outperforms a mediocre cut in D/VVS every time.

Round Lab Grown Diamond Prices

Most 1 carat rounds run $250 to $800, depending on color, clarity and cut. A 1.01ct round, D color, VS1, IGI certified is $299 on our site, top color grade, eye-clean, at a price no natural round of that spec approaches.

One honest note: round costs the most per carat of any shape. More rough is lost in the cutting. If size per dollar matters more than sparkle, an elongated shape stretches further.

Best Settings for a Round Diamond

Round suits everything, which is part of the appeal:

• Solitaire - nothing competing with the light return
• Halo - adds 0.25–0.5ct of visual size
• Pave - sparkle continues down the band
• Bezel - the most secure; round bezels cleanest

Four or six prongs both work. Six is more secure above 1.5ct.

Are Lab Grown Round Diamonds Real?

Yes. A lab grown round diamond is chemically, physically and optically identical to a mined one, same pure carbon, same 10 on the Mohs scale, same sparkle. Only specialized equipment tells them apart.

The difference is how they formed and what they cost. Ours are IGI or GIA certified with a laser-inscribed report number, so the grading is independent.

Round Lab Grown Diamonds at Precious Carbon

We supplied the diamond trade for over 20 years before selling direct.

Our round lab grown diamonds are graded on the 4Cs and ship with certificates, free shipping and 30-day returns. Comparing cuts? See our diamond shape guide, or view natural rounds.