princess vs radiant?

[AllThatSparkles]

So I can''t decide between what I like better. Princess or radiant cut. Anyone have any thoughts or opinions? Best sparkler? Easier to set? Just curious here!

 

[tomatoe]

if u havent, go check out regents on this site. they are similar to the cushion but regents have h&a....

 

[valeria101]

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On 11/28/2003 3:22:22 PM AllThatSparkles wrote:

So Princess or radiant cut. Best sparkler? Easier to set? ----------------

[/quote]


There are no particular issues about setting these: both are mainstream shapes. Maybe you will find some opinions that the tips of princess cuts are fragile, but this does not seem to be a major detraction: princess cuts are still the most often sold of the non-round shapes without mass-rebellion against their pointy tips.

Sparkle depends largely on the proportions of each stone's cut. There are good and bad radiants and princesses. I don't know wether there is a certain theoretical limit on how much light return these can achieve, but actual stones are not likely concerned with it.

Princess cuts don't come all that often well cut: most are overly deap with shallow crowns and large tables. In these, the facet pattern leaves areas with visibly less sparkle here and there (usually some symmetric pattern of triangles with the tip in the middle of the stone and the basis on the middle third of the sides, but not only). Really deep stones do manage to sparkle properly despite all, but they appear much smaller than they should. There are better princess cuts out there: some branded some not, but finding one with good light return and decent depth is not a straightforward shopping exercise.

Radiants suffer of simmilar curses, only milder. Also, the stones called "radiant" come in quite a few distinct cut patterns which affect the geometry of the stone and sparkle. This, I surely like about them: radinats have alot of personality. You will find that fancy colors are often cut radiants due to the reputed property of this shape to make color look deeper. This does not make radiant cuts a "special" cut for fancy colors... whites are awesome indeed. Some radiants will have relatively dull areas, like princess cuts have, but examples of the contrary are easier to find than in princess cuts.

At last, radiant cuts are the choice of buyers looking for rectangular rather than square stones. Princess cuts were meant to be square, and non-squareness is regarded as a detraction for them (sometimes worth a discount). The princess cut was not designed to perform well in non-square stones, so those rectangular princesses tend to look akward and have large dull patches. Rarely enpugh, the princess cut pattern is altered in very non-square stones, with the rate of success directly deterined by the fleeting inspiration of the cutter (I don't know of any systematic optimization pursuit in this direction). The radiant cut "scheme" leaves more freedom to adapt the facet pattern to rectangular stones of diverse L X W proportions: this is what this cut has been developed for. Square radiants are a rather unusual encounter, but a quite nice surprise.

Hope this helps a little... To me, these two cuts are like night (the princess) and day (the radiant)!

 

[innerkitten]

I prefer radiant

 

[fuffi]

It's really a matter of taste, what you visually respond to and what looks best on each person's hand. Not every hand can carry a square stone well, particularly in a larger size. A rectangular shape will have a more elongating effect while a square will do the opposite.

 

[canadiangrrl]

Radiant. I'm with Valeria, I can't stand how the princess carries so much weight that you can't really see. I think the princess is going to look dated in a few years, whereas the radiant has more of a timeless appeal. I also don't like the nasty sharp corners on a princess. I think the princess looks like an angry stone. And I can't stand the fact that it's referred to as a "princess" - gag. Yes, I'm nuts.

The radiant is a lot more lively, IMO, and not just because of light return - the faceting patterns can be really cool. I wouldn't choose either for myself, honestly, unless I was seeking a fancy yellow (and then I'd pick a radiant) but I would have to say that I really would prefer a radiant over a princess, if I had to decide.

 

[hawaii_justine]

HI I just recently got my engament ring, it is a square radiant. It is absolutely beautiful. I really wanted a square shape diamond but not a princess because of the corners. I also liked the way the radiant sparkled more. It is incredible especially with the cut corners, I have had so many compliments on it. Hope this helps you a little, Justine

 

[Binki]

I love a princess cut diamond. It appeals to me because it looks like an older cut (antique) and you don''t see it on everyone''s hand. I chose a beautiful platinum setting by designer Le which shows off the whole stone, not just the top. I love the depth and the corners are not "sharp" looking at all. It''s a beautiful stone, placed in an elegant setting which turns heads everywhere I go!

Check out my link under Show Me The Ring - Princess cut for the queen.

 

[Nicrez]

I have to say that to me, a princess has that sort of concentric star shaped patern around the pavillion, so the sparkles are very symmetrical and triangular. Considering that the corners and the lines are very linear, I would say it has a crisp sharp look to it.

A Radiant on the other hand (and I am referencing only branded Radiant Cut radiants in this case, for a consistent appearance) have a star burst pattern that radiates from the culet, with a step cut and brilliant cut on the table. The corners are also beveled as well, so the shaprness of the cut is completely taken out. It''s sparkles actually have a chunky random sort of order, that are patterned after a round brilliant. Generally they are cut in rectangular shape, but as of late, the square radiant seems to be becoming popular. Mine is squareish/rectangular.

It''s all a matter of taste. go see them both side by side if you can, and your eyes should tell you which is more you.

 

[NyssaLynne]

I prefer a radiant over a princess but they are both nice. I don''t care for the sharp lines of the princess-cut.