Radiant Cut Questions

[ckburkhardt]

1) Does anyone know what the ideal dimensions of the radiant cut are?

2) Is it worth going for the "Original Radiant Cut" as opposed to other radiant cuts? And is this a name brand, or what? I sense that Original Radiants are more expensive.

3) I see only one store listed on originalradiantcut.com for Chicago (one where we have no connections). We have connections to 2 other jewelers. Will we find Originals at other stores that aren''t necessarily listed on the originalradiantcut website? So, I guess the question here is: go to a store where we have "connections" or go to the listed store? Obviously we want a fair price, but we also want quality!

 

[Rank Amateur]

There are no radiant ideal specs. Be wary of those who tell you otherwise.

Here's my take:

I'm guessing that the radiant is one of the least desirable shapes in non-fancy diamonds. I bet that if we did a $$/ct analysis, radiants would come out near the bottom. The people at Original Radiant hope they can sell their otherwise low $$/ct stones for a few more bucks per carat by inventing and marketing a name brand.

Find a jeweler whom you trust and have him look for stones for you.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I agree with RA.
Radiants are for fancy yellows and the very few folk who love the smashed and crazed glass look.

If you use an ideal-scope you can pick the best of a so-so bunch

 

[reena]

why is that, out of curiosity? i know nothing at all about radiants but was always under the impression that a radiant was like a princess, but rectangular and with cut corners. is that even correct?

 

[alexah]

actually reena, the radiant is cut differently from the princess... the facet pattern & the look are different (radiant has that "crack glass" look). also, radiants are not always rectangular - they can be square too, altho it's harder to find a well-cut square radiant than a well-cut rect radiant, i believe

having said that, there have been instances (i've read about on PS) where someone's looking for a princess & a jeweler tries to pass off a radiant, saying it's a cut-cornered princess, that the corners were cut off so they're less likely to chip...

 

[reena]

ohhhh, ok i see. you learn something new every day!

so im wondering what is it about radiants that make them "less desirable" than other cuts for non-fancy-colored diamonds, as you all just said?

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

smashed glass
lots of leakage
extended ray paths that exaggerate color

 

[ckburkhardt]

I think it's all about personal preference. Okay, so I don't want the look that "everyone has" - the round cut. This might sound cheesy, but I find my man to be wonderfully unique and I want my ring to reflect this. I find the radiant cut to have a look that, after looking at it once, makes you stop and want to look again.

Regarding Princess cut vs. Radiant cut, see: http://www.radiantcut.com/images/what.html

I just saw some measurement ranges on this site, so that question is taken care of.

Any other Radiant champs out there? Would love to hear from you!

 

[Jennifer5973]

Nicrez here on the forum has an oustanding radiant. Here is the URL to her ering thread:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/the-little-radiant-that-could.13996/

I actually like radiants also, and as Nicrez' ring illustrates, they can be just as beautiful as RBs and sparkle plenty! I think the difficulty is finding a well-cut one that maximizes the stone. Keep plugging--if this is what you want, you should be able to find a nice stone.

Woman cannot live by Hearts & Arrows alone...

 

[reena]

hey ckb, i'm sorry if it seemed like anyone was criticizing your choice of stone--that certainly wasn't my intention!

i was just curious to hear the rationale behind what the others were saying cause i don't know much about the cut. anyway as everyone here knows it's all about what makes you happy--and i happen to love square and rectangular shaped stones over RBs too. i'm sure you're going to find an amazing diamond.

good luck!

 

[ckburkhardt]

Hey Reena,

No, it wasn't you so much as the first two. I can understand your curiosity in the scientific approach. But some people go too far in that approach, if you ask me. You're right, it's all about what you like..

I hope these gemnologists have better people skills when they meet their clients in person...

CKB

 

[fancyrock]

I, also like radiant cut and I am in the process of looking for one. I have read so much about it and gotten better understanding and confused all at the same time. It's certainly a learn experience for me.

Radiant cuts are hard to find, but not impossible. First, you might want to narrow it down as to which shape you like (square vs. rectangular). You can use AGA chart to find your demensions. (www.gemappraisers.com) Great tools on that site. David Atlas has been wonderful. People on this forum refer to him as the fancy cut specialist.

Radiant cut does have a very different look compare to other cuts. But it all comes down to what's eye pleasing to YOU. Read up on all the info out there for radiant and start looking/comparing stones.

happy shopping...!!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I too would not like to stop anyone being individual and having preferences.
But as some sort of expert, it is also my larger responsability to explain the downsides of various cuts.

Radiants can look really cool set upside down - they are not as prickly as these little guys.

 

[fancyrock]

Hi Cut Nut,

I appreciate your honest opinion. That is why most of us are on here to find out honest answers from experts. Without you guys spending time guiding us beginner diamond buyers, we'd be lost! So I'd like to say thanks to you and to all other experts on this forum for the on-going help.

I am open to any experts' advice...

 

[ckburkhardt]

Actually, Cut Nut, though I was initially feeling a bit sensitive towards your comments, I do think you may have helped me out a bit. Your comment about "extended ray paths that exaggerate color" has made me tentatively decide to raise my minimum color gradient from an H to a G, preferably an F.

Can you tell me, does this make sense? Would you say it is worth the added $/carat to make this upgrade?

 

[Daniela]

I just wanted to make a quick general comment about radiants. Initially I thought that I didn't like them AT ALL, based on pictures that I had seen on Pricescope. I thought that this shape was absolutely not for me. Then when we were window shopping downtown one day, I say the most beautiful radiant cut ring in the window of a small custom jewellery shop. I was in love. It was set east to west in something that looked akin to a semi-bezel, and it was fairly small (maybe a half carat?). Suddenly I understood very much why a person would want one. It was truly a beautiful ring.

All that to say that even if their sparkle factor doesn't necessarily live up to the reputation of rounds, they do have a unique look that can be quite lovely. Good luck in your search!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Yes I would go higher in colour.
F is very safe and few would be concerned with G. H / I

 

[Jean]

Hi all,

Just wanted to chime in here. I know it is a matter of personal taste, but I have a radiant cut and I get compliments on it all the time. It sparkles more that any other stone I have seen and people are not that familiar with the cut so they are facsinated by it. My fiance picked it out online from Affinity and we could not be more pleased. I was at a jeweler in the mall for HA HA's trying on wedding bands and he showed me some of his radiants and they were so blah! No sparkle nothing and he claimed that they were the top of the line cut. Mine is not a typical radiant cut, not very long and rectangular, but it sure sparkles. With radiants, I think it is a matter of what looks good to you!!! Good luck.

 

[goldengirl]

Well, here now! ...I'm confused!!

I remembered reading on GOG about radiants vs. princess, so I dug it up and here it is:

Both stones are extremely similar and the only noticeable difference between the two is that the princess has sharp pointed corners while the other has tapered corners. On GIA reports these are usually described as modified brilliants, and if you are in the market for a "princess cut", but the jeweler can only find you a gorgeous radiant cut, BUY IT! The reason I say this is because when they set these diamonds the prongs go in the corners anyway, so no one really knows for sure (after it's set) whether it's a princess or a radiant!

Are we saying that's not true? Princess is more brilliant than a radiant?

 

[valeria101]

----------------
On 9/13/2004 4:28:09 PM goldengirl wrote:



I remembered reading on GOG about radiants vs. princess...

----------------

Yeah... but look at the pictures that go with the comment: both stone sthere have approx. the facet pattern of a typical "princess" only one comes with cut corners. Not exactly like the branded radiant or what one might expect a rad to look like. Such 'cut corner princess' are definitely out there, I just don't know how many or how oftenthose are sold as non-branded radiants.

The stones now in GOG's stock under the name "radiant" are definitely of the typical kind

The advice to buy a fine square radiant instead of a so-so princess (since this is what the tutorial says) makes sense, IMO. The example is a tad unusual.

 

[reena]

GG: i'm glad you posted that, because now i remember that's exactly where i heard that, too. glad to know i'm not going nutso.

 

[diamondsbylauren]

HI Everyone-
I'd like to speak for the millions of fans of Radiant Cut diamonds- both Fancy Colored, as well as colorless stones.

It almost feels as though there's folks who don't like radiant cuts , and they are close to insulting those who do love the cut.
Personally, I do not like a diamond which has organized facet patterns.
But that does not mean that folks that love hearts and arrows are wrong- nor does the fact that I prefer something else dull my appreciation of a beautiful H&A diamond.

Shown below is what I consider to be a very nicely Radiant Cut diamond

There's is no "Ideal Cut" in a Radiant Cut diamond. The one pictured is 63 depth/ 66 table.

The stone above one happens to be a D, but I also love Radiant Cut Diamonds of I-J-K colors. Shown below is a J color. 64.4Depth 67 table

Naysayers may point out that you will see "windows" or areas where the light seems to pass through without sparkling.
However, in person, when the diamond is moving- these personaity traits give a well cut Radiant a lot of flash and sparkle.


In general, there is a better yeild cutting the rough into a radiant, as compared to round.
What that means is that if, thoeritcally, a 6 carat rough was cut to a radiant, you would have a polished 3.75-4ct Radiant. The same rough , polished to a round, would be around 3.25carats- these numbers are simply for illustration- but you get the idea.
Therefore, Radiant Cut diamonds are generally less per carat than similar quality round diamonds.
This is NOT a case of a systematic attempt to sell low $$/ct stones for a higher price. There is no attempt to protect the name Radiant- although the inventors of the cut do own the name, and a nice site. That means you do not run into the higher prices associated with branding.

Many people love Square-ish, or rectangualr diamonds. The radiant is basically an emerald cut with the facet pattern of a round on it. It has 8 sides.
A princess Cut has 90degree corners- 4 sides.

Let's remember that a radiant cut- of any color- works really well with trilliants, half moons, trapezoids- as do round diamonds. But there are some looks that simply require the type of girdle to girdle look that only a straight sided stone can povide.

There are many poorly cut Radiant Cut diamonds as well- of course it's still a case by case thing.