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Diamond Education

Round Cut Diamonds

The round brilliant diamond is a popular choice for engagement rings. With 58 facets, the classic round brilliant is designed to maximise radiance and sparkle.

While purchasing a round diamond may seem straightforward, there are still important details to consider.

Excellent cut, symmetry and polish are useful starting points for comparing round diamonds; the report does not replace a view of the individual stone.

Compare light performance, apparent colour and visible inclusions under different lighting before choosing.

Round diamond engagement ring on handRound diamond ring close upRound diamond ring on flowers

Cut Grade

The cut grade is key to finding a diamond with exceptional sparkle. Grading laboratories have simplified this process for consumers. For GIA certificates, aim for an "Excellent" rating, and for IGI certificates, look for "Ideal." Avoid grades lower than these for the best results.

GIA · ExcellentIGI · Ideal

Round diamond cut grade diagram

Colour

Round brilliant faceting can make body colour less noticeable. We use G colour as a shortlist starting point, and D–F may suit buyers who prefer colourless grades. Compare the individual stones in your proposed setting: apparent warmth varies with size, cut, lighting and the viewer, so a grade alone is not a universal visibility boundary.

These high-quality options may be rare, but the team at Anny's will go above and beyond to find the finest selections available.

Ideal · D to F colourlessShortlist starting point · G colour

Colour Balance

Diamonds naturally display a mix of white, black, and yellow hues. Achieving balance among these colours is essential. Even D-colour diamonds can exhibit these hues due to the inherent sparkle and light reflection of the diamond.

GoodBalanced white, black and yellow
Good round diamond colour balance exampleGood round diamond colour balance exampleGood round diamond colour balance example
AvoidOne hue dominating the stone
Bad round diamond colour balance exampleBad round diamond colour balance exampleBad round diamond colour balance example

Clarity

Compare inclusion visibility in each natural round diamond. Carefully selected SI1 examples can appear eye-clean, but there is no fixed percentage or grade that guarantees this. Ask us to explain the type, size and position of features in each stone on your shortlist.

Compare individual SI1 stones

GoodStone and its GIA plot
Good round diamond clarity exampleGood GIA clarity report example
AvoidInclusions the plot puts under the table
Bad round diamond clarity exampleBad GIA clarity report example

Hearts and Arrows

A Hearts and Arrows diamond refers to a precision-cut round diamond with exceptional symmetry. When viewed through a special tool, these diamonds exhibit a distinctive pattern.

Arrows

Visible from the top of the diamond, this pattern appears as eight arrows radiating from the centre when you look down at the stone.

Hearts

When viewed from the bottom, you'll see a pattern of eight hearts, which correspond to the facets on the pavilion (bottom) of the diamond.

The Hearts and Arrows pattern indicates superior optical symmetry, an important characteristic of a well-cut diamond. However, it's worth noting that not all ideal-cut diamonds exhibit this pattern. Some excellent-cut diamonds may not show the Hearts and Arrows pattern but can still be incredibly beautiful.

Hearts and arrows pattern in a precision-cut round diamond

Round diamond size chart

What a round brilliant's diameter means in carat weight, and the reverse. Round is the one shape the chart starts at 1 mm, because that is where melee begins — the accent stones in a halo or a pavé band. Every row from 0.30ct up is the median of real certified rounds in our own inventory, with the sample size beside it; below that the figures come from our diamond supplier's own book.

Round brilliant diamond sizes — millimetres to carat
DiameterCarat weightTypical rangeBased on
1.0 mm0.005 ct—Supplier measurement
1.1 mm0.006 ct—Supplier measurement
1.2 mm0.008 ct—Supplier measurement
1.3 mm0.01 ct—Supplier measurement
1.4 mm0.012 ct—Supplier measurement
1.5 mm0.015 ct—Supplier measurement
1.6 mm0.017 ct—Supplier measurement
1.7 mm0.02 ct—Supplier measurement
1.8 mm0.023 ct—Supplier measurement
1.9 mm0.027 ct—Supplier measurement
2.0 mm0.03 ct—Supplier measurement
2.1 mm0.04 ct—Supplier measurement
2.2 mm0.045 ct—Supplier measurement
2.3 mm0.05 ct—Supplier measurement
2.4 mm0.055 ct—Supplier measurement
2.5 mm0.06 ct—Supplier measurement
2.6 mm0.07 ct—Supplier measurement
2.7 mm0.08 ct—Supplier measurement
2.8 mm0.085 ct0.08–0.09 ctSupplier measurement
2.9 mm0.095 ct0.09–0.10 ctSupplier measurement
3.0 mm0.10 ct0.10–0.11 ctSupplier measurement
3.1 mm0.12 ct0.11–0.12 ctSupplier measurement
3.2 mm0.13 ct0.12–0.13 ctSupplier measurement
3.3 mm0.14 ct0.14–0.15 ctSupplier measurement
3.4 mm0.15 ct0.15–0.16 ctSupplier measurement
3.5 mm0.17 ct0.16–0.17 ctSupplier measurement
3.6 mm0.17 ct0.17–0.18 ctSupplier measurement
3.7 mm0.20 ct0.19–0.21 ctSupplier measurement
3.8 mm0.22 ct0.21–0.23 ctSupplier measurement
3.9 mm0.23 ct0.23–0.24 ctSupplier measurement
4.0 mm0.25 ct0.24–0.26 ctSupplier measurement
4.1 mm0.28 ct0.26–0.29 ctSupplier measurement
4.2 mm0.30 ct—643 stones
4.4 mm0.32 ct0.30–0.33 ct6,017 stones
4.5 mm0.34 ct0.33–0.36 ct4,389 stones
4.6 mm0.37 ct0.35–0.39 ct4,151 stones
4.7 mm0.40 ct0.38–0.40 ct5,494 stones
4.8 mm0.41 ct0.40–0.43 ct4,068 stones
4.9 mm0.44 ct0.43–0.46 ct3,817 stones
5.0 mm0.50 ct0.47–0.54 ct16,095 stones
5.5 mm0.63 ct0.56–0.70 ct19,039 stones
5.8 mm0.74 ct0.70–0.80 ct277 stones
6.0 mm0.82 ct0.73–0.92 ct10,071 stones
6.4 mm1.01 ct1.00–1.03 ct865 stones
6.5 mm1.04 ct1.00–1.10 ct74,250 stones
6.9 mm1.25 ct1.20–1.30 ct247 stones
7.0 mm1.31 ct1.20–1.47 ct18,755 stones
7.3 mm1.50 ct1.47–1.53 ct530 stones
7.5 mm1.54 ct1.50–1.60 ct49,339 stones
8.0 mm2.04 ct1.90–2.12 ct47,607 stones
8.7 mm2.50 ct2.42–2.58 ct332 stones
9.0 mm2.64 ct2.47–3.09 ct38,537 stones
9.2 mm3.01 ct2.86–3.04 ct271 stones
10.0 mm3.74 ct3.42–4.10 ct15,252 stones
10.2 mm4.05 ct3.93–4.10 ct79 stones
11.0 mm5.01 ct4.52–5.52 ct8,869 stones
12.0 mm6.08 ct6.00–7.06 ct2,913 stones
13.0 mm8.05 ct7.61–9.03 ct1,129 stones
14.0 mm10.04 ct9.05–11.04 ct720 stones
15.0 mm12.10 ct11.47–13.32 ct147 stones

Rows from 0.30 ct up are the median of our own GIA and IGI certified stones, with the sample size shown and the typical range being the middle 80% of that bucket. Smaller sizes come from our diamond supplier's own book — the sizes and weights the trade actually deals in. Covers 1.0 mm to 15.0 mm. Snapshot 2026-08-30.

Two stones with the same diameter can differ in weight by ten per cent depending on depth, which is why each row publishes the range most stones of that size actually fall in rather than a single figure pretending to be exact. For every other shape, and a converter that works both ways, see the full diamond size chart.

How much does a round diamond cost?

Choose a carat weight to see what a natural and a lab-grown round diamond cost today, or enter your budget to see the size it buys. Each figure is the typical price of the round diamonds available through us at the grade shown under the results, worked out every night; follow its link to see the real stones.

Diamond shape
What do you know?
Carat weight

At this size, lab-grown costs about 80% less than natural.

Natural: E–F colour, VS2 clarity, excellent cut for rounds. Lab-grown: E colour, VS1 clarity, ideal cut for rounds. GST included.

Put it in an engagement ring

Typical prices of the diamonds available through us, updated 10 October 2026. See every shape and size in our diamond price guide.

Compare other shapes

Round is the benchmark brilliant cut. If you want brilliant-cut sparkle in a square outline, read the Princess Cut Buying Guide; for a softer pillow outline with similar all-over sparkle, see the Cushion Buying Guide. For a single-page side-by-side across all ten shapes, see our Diamond Shape Comparison. Or jump straight to our engagement ring designs when you're ready to choose a setting.

Common questions

  • Are round brilliant diamonds the best cut for sparkle?
    Round brilliant is a popular choice for sparkle. An overall cut grade is a useful starting point, but it does not describe every visual difference between stones. Compare the individual diamond's brightness, fire and scintillation under more than one light source.
  • What does Hearts and Arrows mean in plain English?
    Hearts and Arrows is a visual test for optical symmetry. Under a special viewer you see eight arrows radiating from the top of the diamond and eight hearts on the pavilion from below. The pattern only appears when every facet is aligned within tight tolerances — it's a shorthand for cutter precision, not a separate grade.
  • Do lab-grown round brilliants sparkle the same as natural?
    Both are diamond and share essentially the same optical properties. Individual sparkle depends on cut, proportions and the stone's actual appearance; matching headline grades do not guarantee identical performance. Check the actual report format and compare the stones in motion.
  • What size round brilliant should I choose for my ring size?
    As a rough guide: a 1.00ct round measures about 6.4mm across and reads well on ring sizes G through L. Above ring size M we'd usually recommend 1.20ct or larger to keep the visual proportion balanced; below ring size F, a 0.70–0.90ct round often flatters the finger better than a full carat.

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Frankston VIC 3199

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01

Time to create

Typical engagement and bridal ring turnaround: 3–4 weeks from CAD sign-off. We also have 2-week and 48-hour options for engagement and bridal rings. Get in touch and we'll help find an option that works for your timeframe.

02

Care for your jewellery

Typical repair turnaround: 1 to 7 business days, depending on complexity and customer urgency

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Choose with confidence

7-day diamond return policy