Need Help finding a radiant

[BHHU01]

Hi,
I'm looking for a square radiant around 2cts. Budget for ring and band is no more than 17k (but i'd like to stay around 15k if possible). I have no idea where to start or what to look for. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks

 

[BHHU01]

Something like this is what I'm looking for:
[URL='https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-love-my-new-radiant-engagement-ring.29538/']https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/i-love-my-new-radiant-engagement-ring.29538/[/URL]

 

[dreamer_dachsie]

Nice radiants are hard to find. Do you want a radiant specifically, or are you just interested in a cut cornered square stone with a splintery facet pattern? If the latter, there are a few branded cuts that might meet your needs.

Here are some branded radiants I could find (branded cuts in this shape will really make it more likely it is really well cut):

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7883/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4366/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7899/

But boy, these shapes face up small! The size of a 1ct RB!

Some generic radiants, call and ask for an ASET if you like any of them:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1292484.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1372108.asp

 

[BHHU01]

Thanks for the recommendations. What’s the difference between a branded and generic? My GF likes the shape of a radiant but she’s probably open to anything. When you say they “face up small” you mean they don’t look their size? Sorry…I’m new to this. Just want to make sure I make the right decision.

 

[slg47]

well if she likes the shape of a radiant then that is what I would get, especially since GOG has some really nice ones in your budget.

as far as 'face up size'...these are comparable to other square shapes, so I think you are fine there.

 

[BHHU01]

Ok thanks. I am going to request an ASET for the James Allen ones that you recommended. Does anyone else have any sites or recommendations. I would like for at least 2 carats if that is possible. I've been looking on Blue Nile as well. Would anyone recommend them or should i stay away?

 

[slg47]

the problem with blue nile is that they do not provide pictures and images are really important in assessing any diamonds that are not round because you can't go by the numbers.

 

[dreamer_dachsie]

Square cuts are deep, so they carry weight there, so the face up measurements per carat weight are smaller than a round. There is some argument about whether this equates to a perceptible difference though, as the face up areas are comparable. I was just surprised when I looked is all!

If she liked a radiant then I would try to find the best cut one you can, not necessarily the biggest. A well cut stone wil be brighter and sparklier and will look bigger and more eye catching! And the visual difference between 1.7ct and 2.0 ct is not large. Not worth a sacrifice in cut to get that 2ct mark in my opinion. And if you plan on a halo for the ring, it will minimize apparent size differences.

BN cannot provide images of their radiants and that is a no-go, since you cannot judge fancy shapes like radiants without images.

 

[dreamer_dachsie]

the problem with blue nile is that they do not provide pictures and images are really important in assessing any diamonds that are not round because you can't go by the numbers.

If you want proof just go to the james allen site and look at the pictures of radiants and see the huge variety in appearances they show, which cannot be predicted by the lab reports.

 

[BHHU01]

Thanks. This info is very helpful. I will get the ASETs from James Allen and then compare the James Allen suggestions to the ones at GOG. If anyone else has any other site recommendations that would be great! I'm planning on buying very soon and want to make sure I'm making the right decision.

Thanks again for everyone's help.

 

[dreamer_dachsie]

You can call some other vendors and ask them to source a stone. Whiteflash comes to mind as a company that can do this. I have not read a whole lot about other companies than the ones already mentioned sourcing fancies like radiants.

 

[dreamer_dachsie]

If you look through this thread and track down the original posts using search, it may list some of the vendors used.

 

[bigdiamondtinygal]

You might also want to try diamonds by lauren for the stone: http://diamondsbylauren.com/

They sell a lot of radiants and many people on pricescope have purchased from them.

Also, re: the setting, jewels by erica grace makes a lovely one that looks like what you are going for called the Kathryn solitaire. They are great to work with and do beautiful work. The one shown has split claw prongs instead of single prongs like the one in the thread you like...but you could just ask them to change that if you prefer the single prongs.

http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/JbEG-Signature-Settings-and/Plain-and-Pave-Solitaires/The-Kathryn-Solitaire/13588353_A9hj5#999708789_EoEpK

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

In addition, if you have time there are several threads on PS dedicated to radiants--shows you different ratio's, settings, faceting...

cheers--Sharon

 

[Rockdiamond]

Nice radiants are hard to find. Do you want a radiant specifically, or are you just interested in a cut cornered square stone with a splintery facet pattern? If the latter, there are a few branded cuts that might meet your needs.

Here are some branded radiants I could find (branded cuts in this shape will really make it more likely it is really well cut):

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7883/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4366/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7899/

But boy, these shapes face up small! The size of a 1ct RB!

Some generic radiants, call and ask for an ASET if you like any of them:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1292484.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1372108.asp

Actually, the true "branded" radiant cut diamonds are cut by the company that invented the cut- they are called "Original Radiant Cut Diamonds"
They generally have a pretty decent spread for the weight.

 

[BHHU01]

So i think i'm going to go with one of these 3:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7883/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4366/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7899/

Can anyone provide me with any guidance on your recommendation?

A couple questions:
1. 2 of the diamonds have IGI lab reports. Should I be concerned?
2. One of the diamond is a J color. How do you think this will look in person? Should I go with a higher color one?

I'm not quite sure what other things I should be looking for. Can you critique these 3 diamond for me and let me know which one you would get if you were buying.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[farmer gal]

Not to confuse you more, but I was browsing JA and saw some more that looked really nice. I really like GOG, but I don't like IGI certs, I'd rather stick with GIA, or AGS.

I really like this one

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VVS1-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1344880.asp


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VVS1-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-860489.asp

 

[farmer gal]

Sorry I missed the part where you said square

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/I-VVS1-Premium-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-858686.asp

 

[slg47]

So i think i'm going to go with one of these 3:
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7883/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4366/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7899/

Can anyone provide me with any guidance on your recommendation?

A couple questions:
1. 2 of the diamonds have IGI lab reports. Should I be concerned?
2. One of the diamond is a J color. How do you think this will look in person? Should I go with a higher color one?

I'm not quite sure what other things I should be looking for. Can you critique these 3 diamond for me and let me know which one you would get if you were buying.

Thanks for all the help!

it would be either 1 or 2 for me, because of the color. maybe ask if GOG can shoot a video of all 3?

 

[OCmom3xboys]

Nice radiants are hard to find. Do you want a radiant specifically, or are you just interested in a cut cornered square stone with a splintery facet pattern? If the latter, there are a few branded cuts that might meet your needs.

Here are some branded radiants I could find (branded cuts in this shape will really make it more likely it is really well cut):

http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7883/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/4366/
http://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond/7899/

But boy, these shapes face up small! The size of a 1ct RB!

Some generic radiants, call and ask for an ASET if you like any of them:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS2-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1292484.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1372108.asp

WoW! The 3rd one from goodoldgold is huge (bigger than my 2 ct princess), I wonder what a color J looks like in a radiant.

 

[BHHU01]

Does anyone have any insight into IGI certs?