Help? Seeking 2-3ct Radiant. Opinions?

[yzarCritS]

Brand new to the forum as I do my best to learn the tricks to buying a great diamond. Thank you ahead of time for the wealth of information everyone has shared.

My challenge: Locating a 2-3ct Radiant with a L/W 0.95-1.05. Pref H or better color, eye clean. Will eventually be the center stone for a 3 stone setting with ~.75tcw trillions on each side. Budget for the radiant is ~15k. Size and sparkle seem to be more important than color/clarity with her likes.

So far I'm locked in on this 2.25 ct H/SI1 radiant (also found on JA for video): http://www.zoara.com/diamonds/p_radiant_excellent_cut_h_si1#p=5047267&a_aid=y&chan=x

Should I be worried about the "cloud inclusions" effecting the sparkle? Thoughts/opinions? Think I can do better?

All feedback is appreciated. Thanks so much!

 

[tyty333]

I can barely see the cloud in the really blown up video on JA. I doubt that one is anything to worry about.

Did you see the cloud on JA? I can tell you how to see it if you didnt find it.

The stone in general...I cant say the faceting pattern is the prettiest, but it does look to be a very bright stone. Request an
aset image from Zoara and post here for people to comment.

 

[yzarCritS]

The stone in general...I cant say the faceting pattern is the prettiest, but it does look to be a very bright stone. Request an
aset image from Zoara and post here for people to comment.

Thanks tyty333! I've requested the aset image. I'll share it on this post when I receive it. Glad you mentioned it as I had overlooked this detail for evaluating the diamond.

As for the faceting pattern you mentioned, can you describe to me how that might matter compared to other more favorable patterns? Is this subjective, or influential to other factors?

I'm learning quickly, but this pattern observation is new to me. Is there an example you can show that's a more preferred pattern?

 

[Madison2]

Have you tried Good Old Gold?
They provide aset and images of actual diamonds.
Also have you considered a cushion diamond? They have beautiful diamonds.

 

[yzarCritS]

Have you tried Good Old Gold?
They provide aset and images of actual diamonds.
Also have you considered a cushion diamond? They have beautiful diamonds.

Haven't look at Good Old Gold. I'll take a peak to see if something catches my eye. Thanks!

As for the cushion option, my girlfriend tried on several shapes and sizes (including cushion) and preferred the radiant. Full steam ahead on that piece.

 

[yzarCritS]

ASET images are in for the 3 Radiants I currently have it narrowed down to. Keep in mind this stone will be the center stone in a three stone engagement ring with the side stones being trillion cuts.

All three are roughly the same $, however 2 are slightly larger versus one that is slightly better in terms of color/clarity. Would love to hear observations from an experienced group. Which one stands out to you? Or is it D, none of the above?

1) 2.25 carat, H/SI1, eye clean

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.25-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-211790



2) 2.23 carat, H/SI1, eye clean

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.23-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-485145



3) 2.00 carat, G/VS2, eye clean

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.00-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-268080



Thanks a ton for all your help! All three are held for 24 hours if I can make a decision by then.

 

[chrono]

I would keep looking.
Radiant 1 = large table makes it look odd, coupled with the strange facet pattern in the centre.
Radiant 2 = If the center wasn't so concentrated in red, but have it spread out, it would have been a sparklier diamond.
Radiant 3 = Really weak in area between the middle and edge (ring under the table area). The edges are very pretty though.

 

[tyty333]

I wish you had asked for help before you used up your other 2 asets.

This one looks like it might be nice. It has a nice symmetric faceting pattern. Clear, crisp with not much mush. A little bit
of darkness for contrast. It does have a large table though plus I'm not sure what your budget is.
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.04-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-495042

You could ask JA about it and do a comparison of the 3 you have (and this one) and see what they have to say.

You can also try Enchanted diamonds but it's even harder to shop there. Their videos just arent that great.

 

[chrono]

Tyty,
That's a very interesting radiant. I think it will sparkle well in person. The symmetrical faceting pattern is appealing to me too.

 

[yzarCritS]

Thanks for the feedback Chrono and tyty333.

Agreed tyty333's diamond look's nice, but unfortunately its l/w ratio is more rectangular than my girlfriend's pref. I was limiting my search to a range of 1.0-1.05.

Out of curiosity, if you had to pick from the 3 shared, is there one that you like more than the other 2? I'll probably head back to the drawing board, but I still wondered which of the 3 stood out to the forum members.

Thanks again!

 

[pfunk]

I'd keep looking too, but of the 3 you chose my eyes prefer the third option.

 

[Rockdiamond]

yzarCritS, I would strongly recommend that you research how a radiant cut is supposed to look. There's a lot of imitations on the market that don't really come close.
There is a Branded Radiant Cut. It's cut by the company that actually invented the Radiant Cut. It's called "The Original Radiant Cut"- and it's possible to see them in person at local jewelers.

 

[yzarCritS]

yzarCritS, I would strongly recommend that you research how a radiant cut is supposed to look. There's a lot of imitations on the market that don't really come close.
There is a Branded Radiant Cut. It's cut by the company that actually invented the Radiant Cut. It's called "The Original Radiant Cut"- and it's possible to see them in person at local jewelers.

Thanks for the recommendation Rockdiamond. I'll see if I can find a local jeweler who has some and stop by this weekend.

Are they so common that most should have them? If it helps, I'm in the Washington DC area if there's a known local jeweler to recommend for this sort of visit.

 

[ariel144]

FYI...having had a 2.10 radiant and had to sell it, I would highly suggest you buy a cushion cut instead. If it had been a cushion I could
have sold for close to what I paid for it. Same for rounds.

find a modern cushion cut and set it in a cut cornered halo or bezel setting to get the radiant look.
That is what I would do if I were you. Sometime in the future you may want to upgrade or sell it....you
never know.

Here is an ASET of a well cut modern cushion...which is the ASET you want to see in a radiant.

http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/2ct-h-si1-signature-modern-cushion-diamond.html

This will help you to know if you have found a good radiant on JA.


Good luck with your search.

This one looks like a nice cut but the clarity I doubt would be eyeclean:

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.01-carat-d-color-si2-clarity-sku-325391

This one is phenomenal...if it's in your budget you should get the ASET and buy this one...holy moly!
I don't think I've ever seen a radiant cut like this one. Anyone seen one of these??? Yikes, and a
perfect square too! Check out that small table 56%...a true needle in the haystack. Wonder who
cut this beauty?

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.30-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-368567

I guess it is one of these...Ideal cut H & A radiant...the pictures on GOG don't do them justice...love the video on JA:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/ecommerce/1-55ct-g-si1-ideal-square-diamond.html

Here's the only video of an Ideal sq. H & A compared to a more crushed ice radiant. Which facet pattern do you like better?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srBORePqwwI

Here's an H VS1..couldn't find any larger ones but the search seems to be messed up and not loading all:
http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.28-carat-h-color-vs1-clarity-sku-368818

 

[ariel144]

How big is your budget??? Ha!

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/3.25-carat-h-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-368569

This 2.06 H SI1 is basically the same price as the 2.3c I VS!...you should put the 2.30 I VS1 on hold.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.03-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-368830

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.30-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-368567

Sorry I didn't see your budget in your post. Here is one under budget and just under 2c...don't think
there will be much difference in the I and the H color in an ideal cut stone.

Usually if someone is looking for 2-3c their budget is usually a lot larger.
I would splurge on the 2.3 and find a less expensive setting she can always upgrade the setting later.
Just a suggestion.

http://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.92-carat-i-color-vs1-clarity-sku-368821

 

[Rockdiamond]

Hi ,Ariel
Have you ever seen an Original Radiant cut in person?
They are quite different from most generic stones on the market. I've seen people's reactions when they have seen these stones – and it's pretty remarkable. Maybe if you actually saw one you would stop telling people they shouldn't want what they have said they want.
Secondly- resale of virtually any diamond is going to involve a monetary loss if the stone was purchased retail within the last few years. This is true for cushions as well
In the case of comparing the type of loss we would take on a secondary sale between a radiant a cushion, we would need to use a branded cushion versus the branded radiant for a good comparison. Maybe if you had purchased a really nice looking radiant cut like the ones I'm talking about you would not have wanted to sell it
Thirdly –the ASET you posted looks nothing like what a good radiant cut should look like. It's different than a cushion.
We have been actively working on better aset interpretation for radiant cuts along with Gary and others.

To the OP - I believe if you research the branded stones, and find the website they will assist you in finding a retail jeweler close to you that will show you the stones in person. For sure you will be able to see one in the Washington DC area

 

[Rockdiamond]

About ASET for a well cut radiant:
In general –any large areas of red in ASET translate to dark areas in real life. Which is generally not positive

 

[ariel144]

About ASET for a well cut radiant:
In general –any large areas of red in ASET translate to dark areas in real life. Which is generally not positive

this merits no response

 

[Rockdiamond]

Apparently my statement did merit a response.
Given the importance placed on ASET here on PS id ask respectfully - did you dispute what I wrote?

 

[Rockdiamond]

HI yzarCritS,
To assist you in searching- here's an ASET of an Original Radiant Cut-


Stones with ASET images like this have tremendous scintillation, and little or no dark areas.
Again, large red concentrations- especially in the middle of the diamond- will look like dark areas in person.

When evaluating ASET images it's crucial to remember that what holds true for one shape, may not hold true for another shape- in fact there's times that you need to look for totally opposite colors and patterns in ASET based on shape.
Leakage is not beneficial in a round, for example, yet in a well cut radiant, dispersed leakage is an essential element.

I hope this helps!

 

[yzarCritS]

Thanks to all for the help since I last posted. I've definitely been following the conversations and appreciate the feedback.

I did have a chance to see an original radiant cut in person. Impressive! I hope to do another comparison soon with my current JA favorite at my side.

I appreciate the ASET sample from the original radiant cut. Not what I would have expected based on my limited research, although as you pointed out some of that research may have been more focused on a different shape. Thanks again!

I'll share more as my search continues...

 

[Rockdiamond]

Thanks to all for the help since I last posted. I've definitely been following the conversations and appreciate the feedback.

I did have a chance to see an original radiant cut in person. Impressive! I hope to do another comparison soon with my current JA favorite at my side.

I appreciate the ASET sample from the original radiant cut. Not what I would have expected based on my limited research, although as you pointed out some of that research may have been more focused on a different shape. Thanks again!

I'll share more as my search continues...

You're welcome!!
I'm very glad you've see first hand what I'm talking about.

As you can also see from this thread, there's a strange attraction to incorrect ideas about aset.

 

[chrono]

I agree that for some radiant designs, a large concentrated red area in the ASET translates very poorly in person. It looks better when the red is evenly distributed across the entire crown.