Help Choosing A Radiant Cut Diamond!

[Juliette77]

Hi Everyone, Originally I thought I wanted an emerald cut stone for my engagement and I do love the look of an emerald cut but I feel a little like it's not "sparkly" enough for me. So I started looking at other cuts and decided that a radiant would give me the shape of an emerald but the sparkle of a round diamond. Perfect!

So now, I'm trying to figure out how to choose the right radiant cut... My jeweller (or the designer that I think we'll go with) based on our budget has recommended a 0.8 ct G/VS2 radiant with dimensions 5.96 x 4.69 x 3.33. Excellent polish, very good symmetry, No flourescence. Does this sound like a good stone to the experts around here? Or what should I be looking for in a good radiant cut?

If this helps, this is a link to the actual diamond: http://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD04657302?click_id=126584091

 

[diamondseeker2006]

I would recommend only looking at diamonds on sites that provides photos. There are good and bad radiants and you simply HAVE to see magnified photos and preferably ASET images to assess light return and leakage.

James Allen and Good Old Gold are the two that I can think of that offer photos of radiants. Good Old Gold can also source additional stones for you to consider if they don't have one you want now, and they do specialize in well cut stones. With JA, you will have to narrow down your selection to three stones and then ask them for ASET images.

 

[Juliette77]

Ok, great. Thank you. I'll check out James Allen & Good Old Gold. Any thoughts on the diamond in the link? I guess I assumed that the picture on the link was of the actual stone being sold but maybe it's just a stock photo?

 

[woofmama]

That BlueNile photo is a stock photo.

I looked at JA and found one that I think looks good. Here's the link: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.00-carat-i-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-369836

 

[tyty333]

Another nice one...
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.88-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-366529

 

[Gypsy]

I wouldn't do I color in a radiant. H is as low as I'd go, but with a strong preference for G and above. Radiants trap color.

Since you want something that looks like an EC, I assume you want a rectangular stone?

Here is a GORGEOUS square: http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.77-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-256156

Here are some options for rectangular stones. None of them tickle my fancy but they might be decent:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.81-carat-e-color-vs1-clarity-sku-294261
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/0.83-carat-e-color-vs2-clarity-sku-303902

You can put them on hold and get an ASET image of them from JA. No cost, no obligation.

 

[Gypsy]

You can't buy radiants from lab reports. Must have images. Videos are nice. So are ASETs.

Most radiants will ASET out mostly green. As long as the green is strong and even with at least some red they can be nice gems.

 

[Rockdiamond]

I agree with Gypsy.
My favorite radiant cuts will have a high percentage of green in the aset- evenly distributed- and also some white ( what's known as leakage)- this is an essential element.
I also agree with Gypsy that pictures, aset and videos are incredibly valuable for Radiant Diamond shoppers