Difference between Lucida and Radiant Cuts?

[hrose]

Hi all, I posted here a while ago but forgot my user name so had to create a new account..anyway, I really like the Tiffany Lucida cut but I believe it is similar to regular Radiant cut. Can someone tell me the key differences between the two cuts? Also would you suggest any other regular cuts that are similar to the Lucida?
thanks!

 

[jstarfireb]

I believe the crown of the Lucida is step-cut, like an Asscher. The crown of a radiant looks more like a princess (correct me if I''m wrong though!). Have you looked into the Lucere cut? That''s basically a non-Tiffany copy of the Lucida. GOG used to have them as an option on their diamond search, but it''s gone now...you''d have to call them to see if they can still source Luceres. You could also check out the Princess of Hearts and Cut Corner Square cuts over at GOG.

 

[hrose]

thanks for your reply! when you say a crown being step cut or not...do you mean, the angle from the top? so a lucida has the angle but a randiant is completely flat? also i looked at the website but they are located in New York. Are there any other cuts similar to lucida that you could get anywhere, and not just a specific store? thanks again

 

[jstarfireb]

It''s not so much the angle that I was referring to, but the style of cutting in the crown. If you look at this link:

http://www.washingtondiamond.com/Diamonds/The-Original-Radiant-Cut

The top left image is the crown of a typical radiant cut (note that this can vary a bit). The bottom left is the crown of an emerald cut, but if you imagined the shape as square instead of rectangular, that would look like the Lucida''s crown.

I''m not exactly sure what the pavilion looks like in the Lucida, but I believe it''s brilliant-cut like the radiant. So take the bottom left and the top middle picture, make them look square, and you have your Lucida.

Lucere cuts would still be the most similar to Lucida, and they can be bought through many different dealers (not just GOG); you would just have to find one near you. Good Old Gold is just one example of a Lucere dealer. However, since they do a lot of their business online, you certainly don''t have to be in NY to buy from them.

 

[musey]

Date: 6/23/2009 9:07:31 PM
Author: hrose
Are there any other cuts similar to lucida that you could get anywhere, and not just a specific store? thanks again

The lucida, like many tiffany cuts, is branded - so no, you won''t be able to find something just like it elsewhere.

Everyone focuses on different aspects of a cut... what is it about the lucida that you love, if you can narrow it down?

I tend to think that these two look similar in some ways, what do you think? Again, everyone focuses on different aspects. If what you really love and want is a lucida, then you''re not likely to find a substitute outside of Tiffany, unfortunately.

 

[hrose]

what i really liked about the lucida is that it seemed like a good combo of round and princess. I never wanted a round and I don''t really like the sharp corners of the princess. But radiant also has the cut corners. So I wanted to know the major differences between the two and see if its really the lucida I love or could I go with something else. So the main difference would be the crown? I''ll have to go look at it again because I don''t remember it stepping down on the sides like that.
Are there any other main differences?
And lastly from a quality/aestetic view, which cut is better, lucida or radiant?
thanks again!

 

[musey]

Date: 6/23/2009 11:46:41 PM
Author: hrose
And lastly from a quality/aestetic view, which cut is better, lucida or radiant?

No one can answer that because it's completely subjective... add to that the fact that the cut of radiants varies MASSIVELY from stone to stone, cutter to cutter, makes it even more unanswerable.

You really need to trust your own eyes with this. Look at as many cuts as you can force yourself to (in person and in videos, good old gold is a fantastic resource) - because a lot of cuts fit that "round meets princess" bill, including the two I posted above.

There is no universal answer to which cut (between any choices, be it radiant vs. lucida, asscher vs. emerald or jubilee vs. transitional) is better. There is only "I prefer," and even that can vary depending upon the specific stones in question.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 6/24/2009 1:58:14 AM
Author: musey

Date: 6/23/2009 11:46:41 PM
Author: hrose
And lastly from a quality/aestetic view, which cut is better, lucida or radiant?

No one can answer that because it''s completely subjective... add to that the fact that the cut of radiants varies MASSIVELY from stone to stone, cutter to cutter, makes it even more unanswerable.

You really need to trust your own eyes with this. Look at as many cuts as you can force yourself to (in person and in videos, good old gold is a fantastic resource) - because a lot of cuts fit that ''round meets princess'' bill, including the two I posted above.

There is no universal answer to which cut (between any choices, be it radiant vs. lucida, asscher vs. emerald or jubilee vs. transitional) is better. There is only ''I prefer,'' and even that can vary depending upon the specific stones in question.

Ditto

 

[hrose]

does anyone know if I can get a Princess of Hearts cut anywhere else besides GOG? I think I really like this one but would like to see it in person.

 

[D&T]

Date: 7/5/2009 1:35:58 PM
Author: hrose
does anyone know if I can get a Princess of Hearts cut anywhere else besides GOG? I think I really like this one but would like to see it in person.

some vendors can send it to a 3rd party appraiser for you to take a look at it, Worth a try to contact them to see if they can send it to one for you.