The most modern diamond cut of all is the radiant cut diamond. Incredible scintillation meets the sleek long lines of an emerald cut diamond to produce a radiant's signature look. Let’s get into the facts: Here's everything you need to know before buying a radiant cut diamond.
History
In 1977 Henry Grossbard designed the radiant cut diamond to combine the best properties of an emerald diamond and a round brilliant diamond. The cut became popular in the 80's. Once Henry’s patent on the style lapsed, the cut has been widely replicated and remains a popular choice for engagement rings today.
Cut
A radiant cut diamond has 70 facets, which make the stone sparkle like crazy. The slender and elongated lines of a radiant diamond are also flattering on the finger. While there is no official GIA cut grade for radiant diamonds, there are a few things you should know when choosing the perfect stone for your engagement ring.
For the best looking radiants, opt for a diamond with a depth between 61% and 67%. The table should be about 61% - 69%. Keep in mind that a radiant cut diamond is deeper than a round brilliant, so it is technically smaller on the top compared to the same carat weight. However, radiants long lines trick the eye into thinking this diamond is bigger than it actually is!
No matter what the measurements of your radiant cut diamond are, it’s also important to inspect the ring for proper sparkle, and minimal bowties. As a fancy shape, radiants can have a dark bowtie going across the middle of the diamond. This bowtie will range from dark and noticeable, to barely noticeable. Choose a diamond that sparkles well from all angles, and under all different lighting.
Clarity
Remember how the radiant cut diamond takes all the sparkly benefits from a round cut diamond? This means they hide inclusions really well! You can opt for a lower clarity radiant cut diamond and still come away with a stone that is eye clean. We recommend choosing a diamond as low as SI1, but remember, the bigger the diamond, the more noticeable the inclusions likely are. Always inspect your diamond for dark inclusions, or inclusions that go straight across the top of your stone. These types of inclusions are the most noticeable to the naked eye.
Ratio
While most radiant cut diamonds are long and rectangular, they can also be cut in a square, just like princess cut or emerald cut diamonds can be. There are actually a wide variety of ratios for radiant cut diamonds, and your dream stone will totally depend on your own unique style and preference. The most common ratio for a radiant cut diamond will be right around 1.25, but if you’re looking for a classic radiant cut look, you’ll be safe with a diamond between 1.2 and 1.3. A square radiant cut diamond will have a ratio as low as 1.00 to 1.05.
Color
A radiant cut diamond comes with a lot of pros, one of them being that they hide color very well! You can go as low as G/H with a radiant cut diamond before seeing any warmth. Of course, color also comes down to a personal preference. Some people want a diamond as bright and white as possible, while others prefer a warmer hue to the stone.
Cushion Vs Radiant
What’s the difference between a cushion cut diamond and a radiant cut diamond? A cushion cut diamond has curved edges that give it a pillow-like appearance. A radiant cut diamond has straight cut corners, which gives it a similar shape to an emerald cut diamond. Cushions also have wider facets that reflect a lot of color and “fire”. The biggest difference between the two may be that a cushion cut diamond gives off a vintage and romantic feel, while a radiant cut diamond has a more modern, sleek look.
Princess Vs Radiant
While both princess and radiant cut diamonds come in square and rectangular shapes, princess is traditionally square and radiant is traditionally rectangular. Princess cut diamonds also have 4 sharp corners which are prone to chipping and snagging, while the beveled edges of a radiant make it a more durable stone.
Did you learn something new about radiant cut diamonds? As one of our favorite diamond shapes, we LOVE radiants and would love to help you create your dream radiant cut diamond engagement ring. If you have any more questions for our diamond experts, or would like to start your free custom design, schedule a consultation below!