Is depth on a radiant really such a bad thing?

[Curious G]

Hello All!

I have been a long time lurker trying to soak up as much information as I can from this wonderful site. I have tried to apply the knowledge that I have acquired in the selection of my radiant cut diamond. I finally decided to take the plunge and have chosen the following:

Shape: Cut-Cornered Brilliant
Measurements: 6.51 x 6.38 x 4.61
Weight: 1.74 carat
Depth: 72.3%
Table: 63%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick
Culet: None
Polish & Symmetry: Good
Clarity: SI1 (Eye-clean)
Color: D
Fluorescence: Medium Blue

My question is concerning depth. As you can see from the numbers above, the diamond is a little on the deep side resulting in a small stone for its weight. That is not so much a concern for me, as I was wanting something no bigger than 6.5 x 6.5. Furthermore, the price was comparable to similar stones in the 1.5 carat area. What I want to know is if depth is always really such a bad thing, or, in some circumstances, can it actually enhance the fire and brilliance of a diamond?

From visual inspection, the stone has a significantly higher crown than any other radiants I have seen, an aesthetic feature found on the Lucida cut and which I seem to prefer over flatter stones. In looking at it beside other radiants of similar length and width in the 1.5 carat range, this stone really popped out at me - it''s almost as if it were three dimensional and the others just two dimensional. It also seemed to produce a light show with which the others could just not compete.

I know most here say that things become very subjective amongst the fancy shapes and that numbers sometime have to be overlooked. I just feel nervous in leaving the ideal cut depth range. Am I being foolish in liking my diamond a little thick and chunky like a cheeseburger, or can it''s added heft actually be a plus?

 

[Rockdiamond]

HI Curious, Go with what your eyes tell you.
Yes, a stone of a lower depth might have a larger spread ( if all the other factors line up)- but that does not mean there''s anything "wrong" with a 72.3% depth- no matter what any chart says.
I have seen some truly remarkable stones with similar depth.

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 9/29/2009 4:22:11 PM
Author:Curious G
Hello All!

I have been a long time lurker trying to soak up as much information as I can from this wonderful site. I have tried to apply the knowledge that I have acquired in the selection of my radiant cut diamond. I finally decided to take the plunge and have chosen the following:

Shape: Cut-Cornered Brilliant
Measurements: 6.51 x 6.38 x 4.61
Weight: 1.74 carat
Depth: 72.3%
Table: 63%
Girdle: Medium to Slightly Thick
Culet: None
Polish & Symmetry: Good
Clarity: SI1 (Eye-clean)
Color: D
Fluorescence: Medium Blue

My question is concerning depth. As you can see from the numbers above, the diamond is a little on the deep side resulting in a small stone for its weight. That is not so much a concern for me, as I was wanting something no bigger than 6.5 x 6.5. Furthermore, the price was comparable to similar stones in the 1.5 carat area. What I want to know is if depth is always really such a bad thing, or, in some circumstances, can it actually enhance the fire and brilliance of a diamond?

From visual inspection, the stone has a significantly higher crown than any other radiants I have seen, an aesthetic feature found on the Lucida cut and which I seem to prefer over flatter stones. In looking at it beside other radiants of similar length and width in the 1.5 carat range, this stone really popped out at me - it's almost as if it were three dimensional and the others just two dimensional. It also seemed to produce a light show with which the others could just not compete.

I know most here say that things become very subjective amongst the fancy shapes and that numbers sometime have to be overlooked. I just feel nervous in leaving the ideal cut depth range. Am I being foolish in liking my diamond a little thick and chunky like a cheeseburger, or can it's added heft actually be a plus?

Welcome!

Radiants have to be seen to be judged, also with the depth sometimes fancy shapes can hold weight in different areas so the depth isn't always related to spread as in rounds.

To me the depth is fine anyway, far more important is that you have seen the diamond and love it, radiants are tricky shapes and some can be a bit " meh" to me, so if you find one you adore and you have viewed others then thats the main thing.