Radiant cut
What is a Radiant cut diamond?
The Radiant cut diamond is a fairly new cut that was only invented in the 1970s. This cut is a conglomeration of the best bits of 3 different cut. I get its extreme sparkle from the brilliance of the Round brilliant cut, the trimmed corners of the Asscher cut and also the open face and elegance of the Emerald cut.
Radiant Diamonds are a very versatile and come in different sizes and specifications. More square radiant cuts complement longer fingers and show off their elegance, while the rectangular shape fit with shorter fingers and has a flattering elongating effect on the fingers.
It is said that women who choose a radiant diamond are bubbly and outgoing
Unlike other cuts that have different names for square or rectangular shapes (Asscher is square version of emerald cut), the Radiant cut refers to anything perfectly square or even a rectangle that is twice as long as it is wide. The radiant cut has an alternative name. The GIA calls radiant shaped diamonds “cut corner modified brilliant” which means that they are princess cuts with the corners trimmed off.
There are more differences between the two cuts other than the trimmed corners. The princess cut has a definite ‘x’ in the when viewing it from the top, while the radiant has more of a ‘crushed ice’ effect. The square shape means that they look similar when mounted in a ring.
Why buy a Radiant cut diamond?
Radiant diamonds are generally well priced. When compared to a Round cut of the same specifications, a Radiant will be cheaper.
Radiant diamonds are a brilliant cut which means it was developed to maximise sparkle and reflect as much light as possible back to the viewers eyes. This means that the stone has many reflective facets and can help to hide any inclusions and also make the stone appear whiter.
Consequentially, a stone with a lower grade colour can be chosen and still appear white, further reducing the price.
As mentioned above, the Radiant cut is very versatile and practical. The trimmed corners mean that it is less likely to get snagged on clothing. The lack of sharp corners also reduces the chances of knocking it against hard surfaces and chipping or even cracking the diamond.
What to look for when buying a Radiant Diamond.
Because the radiant diamond is a brilliant cut, it is cut to reflect light. This requires precision. If the diamond is not cut to the correct proportion, the there will be dark spots where light is not reflected properly. Some radiant cut may have a ‘bow tie’ effect which is a dark spot where light is not reflected back to the viewer.
This is more common in rectangular cuts. Choosing a diamond with proper proportions can minimise this effect, but it is very difficult to eradicate completely.
FAQs of Radiant diamonds
A radiant diamond’s facets are at such an angle that the diamond must cut at a deeper angle. This means that the carat weight of the diamond sits I the pavilion of the diamond and thus the diamond may appear to be smaller when viewed from the top.
4 prongs are recommended to emphasize the block shape of the diamond.
Solitaire settings are very effective at letting the stone shine forth in its own beauty. With the stone being the centrepiece of the ring, it will be hard to look past the intricacy of the diamond itself.
