cut grade of Radiant diamond?

[woodfishes]

I find one same stone on several website, but interestingly, the cut grades are different from one to another:

JA says excellent
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1491529.asp?b=16&a=12&c=77&cid=131

SB says VG
http://www.solomonbrothers.com/DiamondDetail.aspx?sku=5YF34578&affiliate=9318613A-AD0C-4530-A456-0409DFEFB8DE &utm_source=PriceScope

Union Diamond says good
http://www.uniondiamond.com/AE0341147&ptc=PS

WF gives no cut grade:
http://www.whiteflash.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut-loose-diamond-2790093.htm

what you think

 

[rubybeth]

This is because the vendor is assigning the cut grade, NOT GIA or AGS (reliable certificates). I have a radiant, and I have to say, I don't really like the looks of that one. I prefer something like this (if you want a rectangle shape) because of the clearer 'x' shapes:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1372283.asp

You can basically ignore the 'cut' grades that vendors assign, unless they are also posting ASET images, like Good Old Gold. I believe James Allen will do up to 3 ASET images for free, if you are interested in knowing how a particular stone or 2 performs. More on the ASET if you're unfamiliar: https://www.pricescope.com/journal/aset-%E2%80%93-diamond-evaluation-tool

 

[woodfishes]

Do you mean except round brilliant diamond, the cut grades are all assigned by vendors?

 

[rubybeth]

Do you mean except round brilliant diamond, the cut grades are all assigned by vendors?

For the most part, yes. AGS does assign 'ideal' cut grades to princesses and a couple of stones that Good Old Gold sells (the August Vintage Round and August Vintage Cushion). There may be others I'm not aware of, but those are the ones off the top of my head.

 

[woodfishes]

Good to know. Thanks a lot.

 

[Rockdiamond]

HI Woodfishes,
In terms of what you are looking at, and looking for:
I've yet to see a workable explanation of ASET , green, and Radiant cut diamonds. Rubybeth posted an article about aset that really answers no questions at all- in fact is raises questions.
It looks to me like the stone with a lot of green would be the type most preferred by many PS participants- high crown, small table. Yet I think the other stone is identified as having a better cut- it's really a question of taste.
It's true that any cut grades assigned to radiant cut diamonds are simply a sales tool- and IMO misleading, as obviously, many consumers think they mean something.
They mean ZERO in a gemological sense- and even mean little as far as how the stone might look.

 

[woodfishes]

Hi Rockdiamond,

Thank you.
I am totally a newbie about how to choose a diamond. A lot to learn.

 

[rubybeth]

I thought that ASET article was more helpful, guess it wasn't. I'd just try to look for stones that have a pretty good amount of red and green in the ASET images (vs lots of blue or white which can indicate blockage and leakeage of light) or, at the very least, have a facet pattern that appeals to your eye.