Radiant confusion

[fatmike]

Hi. first time poster, long time reader...

i need your help.

I am trying to find a good radiant diamond online (and have been for the past 9 months). The only problem is, every time i think that i find one that is "good", i find a website stating that there''s something "wrong" with some aspect of it. i''m getting really really really frustrated. so, without any more backstory, i''m hoping that someone that has a little time and knows more about radiant diamonds (and knows more decisively so) can help me. this is what i am looking for (she has hinted that she wanted)

this is what her requirements are:
CTW: at least 1.3 (she''s trying to out-do someone else at her work, as far as size goes)
Cut: radiant

I''ve already purchased the band
http://www.whiteflash.com/Engagement-Rings/Styles/Diamond-Settings/Platinum-Cathedral-Pave-Ring_929.htm
I''m looking to spend no more than $8000 on the diamond(limiting, i know...). I''m willing to sacrifice flaws for sparkle and size, but i think that against a platinum ring, anything lower than "G" would look like it was painted yellow (but correct me if i''m wrong...)

I''m not trying to sound like a total mooch, i know that you all probably have better things to do, but if you can see it in your heart to help a confused guy, i''d appreciate it so so so much.

thanks!

-fat mike -

p.s. these are the three that i''ve found tonight...are they any good, or did i just waste another night?

http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamonds/diamonds.php?search_type_id=2&action_type_id=2&context=&rb_flow_type=&rb_action_type_id=&item_id=AA176657"

http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamonds/diamonds.php?search_type_id=2&action_type_id=2&context=&rb_flow_type=&rb_action_type_id=&item_id=AA198406

http://www.uniondiamond.com/diamonds/diamonds.php?search_type_id=2&action_type_id=2&context=&rb_flow_type=&rb_action_type_id=&item_id=AA218841

 

[kcoursolle]

Radiants are tough aren''t they! I have one, and it also took me months to find one with a nice cut. A G color is fine in a radiant. It will look very white. If it were a round, I would say that you could go down to a J and have it still look white... However, radiants show more color than rounds, and I wouldn''t go past an H in a radiant.

I''m afraid I''m not a big fan of the cuts of the stones you''ve choosen here. Number one and number two are far too deep and the table is too large on all of them.

Try to look for a radiant with a depth of 60-65%, table of 60-65%, thin-slightly thick girdle, crown 10-15%, and VG/VG polish and symmetry would be nice...but not as important.

Also, pictures and ASET images are helpful with radiants. You can''t pick a radiant by the numbers alone. The combinations above are only helpful in selecting possibilities.

 

[kcoursolle]

THis one is a possibility. Although the carat weight is smaller than the ones you picked out, the depth is lower and it should face up about the same size. You could call james allen and see what he says about the stone. He will give you an honest opinion.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamond.asp?cid=131&item=913251

 

[Colored Gemstone Nut]

Hi FatMike:

The problem with radiants diamonds is they have a single culet which means the pavilion angle is usually more shallow in the long direction and steeper across the stone. So it is impossible to have an ideal cut.

I would arrange to see one or more diamonds to make a better choice. No radiant diamond is cut the same and you can't really run the numbers game with them.

A long rectangular Radiant cut might look larger than a round, but generally radiant cuts are overly deep and rounds end up looking larger for a given weight. Radiants are mostly cut for weight retention and not for cut quality or light performance. It might be better if you look for one that costs the right price, looks great and is the heaviest weight wise so your girl can win the office contest.

Radiants perform better in the fancy colored diamond arena because the shape can be manipulated to retain more color, which is why they are overly deep. If the setting is platinum I would stick with a higher color G, or better like you stated.

I would call and ask to speak with Brian Gavin of WhiteFlash (The Cutter), since you have already purchased a setting and he would probably most likely give you some crucial insight for a nice stone based on your priorities.

Dave Atlas (Oldminer) on the forum is also a "fancy-finatic"...

Hope this helped a little...