Round shape diamonds and other gemstones have been one of the most popular gemstone shapes in jewellery for thousands of years. In fact, when most people picture what a diamond looks like, they think about a round shape diamond. However, diamonds aren’t the only round shape gemstones that are used in jewellery - naturally occurring round gemstones such as pearls and sapphire cabochons can also be considered ‘round.’ No matter the gemstone, vintage round engagement rings are incredibly popular.
Some of the gemstones that occur naturally are round in shape, such as pearls. Pearls are harvested from mussels and oysters deep in the ocean. However, they are most commonly found in Indonesia, Philippines, and Australia, and are naturally perfectly spherical. It is thought that round shape diamond cutting styles were influenced by naturally occurring round gemstones such as the pearl. Pearls are incredibly beautiful, and are displayed in many vintage round engagement rings and other round jewellery.
One of the earliest forms of round shape diamond faceting included smoothing and polishing cabochon stones. Cabochon gemstones have a round, flat appearance. Cabochon jewels were the default method of preparing gemstones before gemstone cutting was invented, and was how a vast majority of people in the past would see gemstones. Some of the most popular stones to polish into a round cabochon shape were rubies, sapphires, emeralds and rubies. Round gemstones can be found in many collections of ancient jewellery, and many of our vintage round engagement rings and jewellery are from this fascinating period of jewellery making.
Although round shape gemstones were popular throughout history, round shape diamonds as we know them today were not possible until the late 1800s. During the late 1800s, the bruting machine was invented, allowing stonecutters to create the perfectly spherical round shape diamonds we think of today. The first perfectly round shape diamond rings used Old European cut diamonds, and would pave the way for the modern round shape diamonds. Many of our old round engagement rings feature Old European cut diamonds and gemstones.
Round shape diamonds would become like the ones we see today due to the developments of Marcel Tolkowsky, who invented the round brilliant diamond shape in 1919. Essentially, Tolkowsky invented a mathematical formula to create the most perfect, proportional diamonds by using new technology. Round brilliant diamonds are very popular when it comes to collections of vintage round engagement rings, as they were in high demand during the 1920s and used in many stunning art deco jewellery pieces.
Round shape diamond jewellery has been high in demand throughout the ages because of its beauty and wearability. Round shape diamonds can be displayed in rings, earrings, brooches, bracelets and much more - they are one of the most versatile diamond shapes. Many celebrities have chosen vintage round engagement rings for these reasons, including Mila Kunis and Britney Spears, showing how popular they remain over the years.
The elegance and allure of round shape diamond jewellery has truly stood the test of time, and are some of our most popular pieces here at Berganza. If any of our vintage round engagement rings, brooches, necklaces, or earrings catch your eye, please get in touch with us! You can always contact us here online, or visit us at our showroom in the heart of Hatton Garden.
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