How Much Does a Round Cut Diamond Cost?

Author Corinne DiZoglio
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Date Aug 16, 2017


While the price of a round cut diamond can vary dramatically based on a variety of factors, carat weight to carat weight, it is the most expensive diamond shape on the market. Here are some things to consider before choosing a round cut diamond!

Higher Demand, Higher Cost
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Round cut diamonds are the most popular diamond shape. More than 60% of people choose a round diamond for their engagement ring, and, according to the GIA, 75% of all diamonds sold on the open market are round. This high demand is one of the reasons a round cut diamond costs more than other shapes. As with anything, more demand typically means a higher price!

Less is More
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Another reason for a round cut diamond’s hefty price tag has to do with the process of cutting and the amount of waste. Circle cut diamonds (aka round) require diamond cutters to polish away more of the stone’s weight, which is costly. A finished, round cut diamond only uses about 40% of the rough stone’s original weight. That means 60% is polished or cut away during the polishing process! For comparison, a princess cut, which is close to the round in terms of brilliance, uses about 80-90% of the original weight. The lower yield translates to a higher price for consumers because it takes more “rough” to create a round diamond vs. other shapes.

The 4 C’s
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The 4 C’s are also something to consider when looking at the price of round cut diamonds. The cut, color, clarity and carat size all influence the price of a diamond. Carat size, the diamond’s weight, is one of the biggest contributing factors to the cost of a diamond. For example, a one carat stone can cost $6,000 to $30,000 less than a two carat stone. The color, how white or colorless the diamond looks, also plays a key role in price. The higher the color grade, the more rare and more expensive that diamond will be. The same goes for clarity, how many inclusions the diamond has and how visible those imperfections are. The fewer the number and size of the inclusions, the rarer it is and therefore the more costly. The cut, the most important of the 4 C’s, has the biggest impact on how brilliant a diamond is. A higher cut grade, which helps measure the brightness of the stone, will also drive up the price tag. Round diamonds can fit into many budgets and it is just a matter of finding the right balance of size and quality!

Think a round diamond is the right shape for you? Use our diamond calculator below to see price ranges of round diamonds or visit one of our five locations to see diamonds in person!

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