Original Radiant Cuts -- what makes them unique?

[kimikocat]

I recently read a short article on the Original Radiant Cut website, and became intrigued by the company''s claims about the ORC''s supposedly exceptional beauty and performance. Now, I''m wondering what makes the Original Radiant Cut unique? Can anyone describe the cut''s specs, and perhaps explain if -- and why -- it outperforms a generic radiant cut? Are there differences in faceting, between an Original Radiant Cut and a generic radiant cut? Are they cut to specific standards (depth %? table %? crown angles, etc.?)

Please help satisfy my curiosity

 

[bride to be!!!]

Omg! Have you ever seen an Original Radiant Cut Diamond? My soon to be fiancé and I have been trying to decide between a cushion and a radiant cut for the past 3 months. When we made up our minds to go with a radiant cut diamond, we started shopping everywhere. It was really confusing because all of the pics I had seen in bridal magazines of radiants were all gorgeous. So when I started looking at them in person, they looked nothing like the ads. The diamonds didn’t sparkle at all and some of them even looked like princess cuts. Yuck! When we were about to give up and go back to the cushion cut diamond a store recommended an Original Radiant Cut Diamond. This past weekend they brought in three of these branded diamonds and as soon as I saw them I understood the difference between the Original and the generic. It’s like comparing a pair of black pumps from Jimmy Choo to a pair from Walmart. Hopefully, I’m getting engaged this weekend Good luck.

 

[kimikocat]

Date: 9/24/2008 3:24:45 PM
Author: bride to be!!!
Omg! Have you ever seen an Original Radiant Cut Diamond? My soon to be fiancé and I have been trying to decide between a cushion and a radiant cut for the past 3 months. When we made up our minds to go with a radiant cut diamond, we started shopping everywhere. It was really confusing because all of the pics I had seen in bridal magazines of radiants were all gorgeous. So when I started looking at them in person, they looked nothing like the ads. The diamonds didn’t sparkle at all and some of them even looked like princess cuts. Yuck! When we were about to give up and go back to the cushion cut diamond a store recommended an Original Radiant Cut Diamond. This past weekend they brought in three of these branded diamonds and as soon as I saw them I understood the difference between the Original and the generic. It’s like comparing a pair of black pumps from Jimmy Choo to a pair from Walmart. Hopefully, I’m getting engaged this weekend Good luck.

I think I saw one a long time ago in SF. I''m curious to look at them again, and compare. I agree that a lot of the generics look glassy and dead, and the faceting patterns leave a lot to be desired.

 

[JulieN]

nothing?

the patent has expired. it may be easier to find a nice radiant if you just look at Original RC, but it will cost you more money.

 

[sklingem]

Date: 9/24/2008 3:24:45 PM
Author: bride to be!!!
Omg! Have you ever seen an Original Radiant Cut Diamond? My soon to be fiancé and I have been trying to decide between a cushion and a radiant cut for the past 3 months. When we made up our minds to go with a radiant cut diamond, we started shopping everywhere. It was really confusing because all of the pics I had seen in bridal magazines of radiants were all gorgeous. So when I started looking at them in person, they looked nothing like the ads. The diamonds didn’t sparkle at all and some of them even looked like princess cuts. Yuck! When we were about to give up and go back to the cushion cut diamond a store recommended an Original Radiant Cut Diamond. This past weekend they brought in three of these branded diamonds and as soon as I saw them I understood the difference between the Original and the generic. It’s like comparing a pair of black pumps from Jimmy Choo to a pair from Walmart. Hopefully, I’m getting engaged this weekend Good luck.

I also compared original to "generic" ones. Consistently picked the generic ones. It will come down to your own personal preference. Just be sure to do a "blind" comparison so as not to affect your judgment! Good luck!

 

[kimikocat]

Date: 9/24/2008 5:27:00 PM
Author: JulieN
nothing?


the patent has expired. it may be easier to find a nice radiant if you just look at Original RC, but it will cost you more money.

If the patent has expired, then are the parameters for an ORC published, and are the specs for a well-cut ORC one and the same for a well-cut generic radiant?

 

[Emeraldfan]

I have an Original Radiant Cut diamond e-ring. I looked at a bunch of other radiants but I couldn't find any others that sparkled or were cut so well without having to source them for the exact specs like the ORC's.

The depth and table of the ORC's are within specific parameters (a modified percentage range between 60-65). This was very important for me as I wanted my diamond to face up and actually look like the carat weight its supposed to be. Additionally, I liked the more chunky faceting pattern which the ORC's I have seen have rather than the facetting patterns that look like princess cuts. Also, I wanted at least Very Good Cut and Very Good Polish which not many of the non-ORC's had. Lastly, I found the cut corners of the ORC's were more well defined and proportionate to the shape of the stone than some of the non-ORC's - again important to me cause I wanted them in claw prongs so the corners could be seen.

Generally, you can in fact find non-ORC's that are just as pretty as the ORC's without the mark-up (although when sourcing non-ORC's with my specific parameters the mark-up was not that much in comparison to the ORC's). However, for me with my specific wants it just made more sense to pay the little bit extra and know that I was getting a great stone (kind of like paying the Tiffany mark-up so you don't have to do the searching yourself).

Hope that helps and good luck!!

 

[kimikocat]

Date: 9/24/2008 7:04:55 PM
Author: Emeraldfan
I have an Original Radiant Cut diamond e-ring. I looked at a bunch of other radiants but I couldn''t find any others that sparkled or were cut so well without having to source them for the exact specs like the ORC''s.


The depth and table of the ORC''s are within specific parameters (a modified percentage range between 60-65). This was very important for me as I wanted my diamond to face up and actually look like the carat weight its supposed to be. Additionally, I liked the more chunky faceting pattern which the ORC''s I have seen have rather than the facetting patterns that look like princess cuts. Also, I wanted at least Very Good Cut and Very Good Polish which not many of the non-ORC''s had. Lastly, I found the cut corners of the ORC''s were more well defined and proportionate to the shape of the stone than some of the non-ORC''s - again important to me cause I wanted them in claw prongs so the corners could be seen.


Generally, you can in fact find non-ORC''s that are just as pretty as the ORC''s without the mark-up (although when sourcing non-ORC''s with my specific parameters the mark-up was not that much in comparison to the ORC''s). However, for me with my specific wants it just made more sense to pay the little bit extra and know that I was getting a great stone (kind of like paying the Tiffany mark-up so you don''t have to do the searching yourself).


Hope that helps and good luck!!

Hello EmeraldFan!

That definitely helps. I''ve been waffling on what I want -- and I realized that part of my hesitation came from seeing so many mediocre stones, and having trouble finding something that truly pops, in terms of beauty.

I initially started looking at both radiants AND cushions, but was turned off by the radiants'' tendency to face up small. It''s hard to find nicely cut stones in either category, for sure. Then I started to consider ovals as well.

I am wondering if anyone knows anything about the Kotlar cushion, and how it compares with other styles of cushion cuts? Is it more like a Cushion Modified Brilliant? (Maybe this query belongs in a different thread.)