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Radiant diamond help

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JeffParker

Rough_Rock
Joined
Jun 27, 2017
Messages
19
I was wondering if anyone had any connections to loose diamonds? I would like to purchase a loose radiant diamond and have a engagement ring made.

I have looking at blue nile, James Allen, Whiteflash as well others. The one I was considering was from James Allen it was a 2.02 carat H color and VS1 clarity for $12850. Was wondering if anyone had any leads to purchasing a loose diamond....

Thanks for the help

Jeff
 
"We" as in general Pricescopers dont sell diamonds. Those users marked as "Trade" usually sell stones but can not hock their wares on PS. They
can only provide general comments on diamonds. Regular PSers can point you to stones that we think are worth investigating but we dont sell them
Not sure what you mean by "connections". We have vendors we like...we do not receive any kind of compensation...this is a hobby for most of us.

So do you want us to point to radiants that we think are worth having a look at?

You can provide the link to the stone you like and we can give you our opinion...put it on hold first through JA.
 
Hi Jeff,
Probably the best way for you to make your own connection would be to actually reach out to different sellers- see which ones "speak your language"- and also those that have the type of stone you seek.
Radiant cuts are a bit trickier than some other shapes to buy using well-established methods that work for other shapes here on PS.
 
Thank you everyone for your feedback! If you could help me or lead me in a good direction that would be great. I have searched blue nile, james allen, whiteflash, and several others... I wasn't sure if there was jewlers here that gave out information on the forum.

Thanks again for your help!
 
Can you post some links to radiants that you like so we can see the look you are going for...for example here are 2 different looks below. What ratio
are you going for (more square, more rectangular)...color preference??? clarity preference??? Budget?

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.52-carat-f-color-si1-clarity-sku-3605186
https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.01-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3615853

You need to decide what "look" you like and let us know...we can help you after you have narrowed things down a bit.
 
Ok I would say budget is 10 to 12K I was hoping the total ring would cost me that however you pay for what you get... but also looking for something that is the best bang for your buck if that is fair to say... or Better Value...

I have looked at several diamonds and my brain is going crazy because I really don't know what I am looking at... well I do but not a professional.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/2.03-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3588123

https://www.brilliance.com/loose-di...-make-vs1-clarity-gia-certified-SKU-D14365713

http://lotviewer.feedcenter.net/Default.aspx?VendorID=9&ClientRowID=248525

https://www.brilliance.com/loose-di...-make-vs1-clarity-gia-certified-SKU-D14736411

I was looking at diamonds that were in the higher 1 carates lower 2 carats... VS1/2 clarity and G/H color but I am a little stumped on the LWR, Depth, Girdle, Table, Cutlet, Florescence. (I have a link that shows what an elongated specs should be but...) Also what I could get that would lower the cost and still would not be noticeable to the eye...

Here is kind what I am going for in a ring... I am still trying to decide on going with a halo or non halo...
Also I have in my mind that maybe getting a 1.5 carat with a halo would be the same as me getting a 2 carat with a halo... anyway that is whats on my mind. I really appriciate your help!!!
upload_2017-11-26_12-37-44.png
upload_2017-11-26_12-34-23.png
 
Okay, I have to ask you since you are debating halo or no halo. Do you have any idea what SHE likes or wants? Because halo or no halo can be a very strong preference. Second question, did she tell you she wants a radiant most of all?
 
Haha... this is where I have to laugh a little... So she doesn't have pinterest, she didn't know what the shapes were called and so on all I had to go on was what her friends had and that she had tried on and shared pictures of at a bachelorette party. It was hard enough to get a proper ring size... However I finally got her to go to a jewelry store with me when we were replacing some backs on some earnings and talked to the jeweler to show her some shapes and sizes...

Before all this started she said she didnt like round but she like the square shape. I as well the jeweler explained the shapes and cuts. she liked how the princess took up space on her finger as she thinks she has a fat finger. She did however liked the softer edges of the cushion w/halo of her friends ring. She stated that she didnt want it to be gaudy. So then I asked the jeweler to show her an elongated radiant however they didnt have anything in the store besides a .43. So then the jeweler took out an oval to give her an idea of sizing on finger. The jeweler explained that it would be squared off of course and had a 1 carat, 1.5 and 2 carats on her finger as well let her hold them in prongs to show the different cuts and brilliance. She did end up liking the radiant cut from the start from a princess. In the beginning all she had stated was that she liked the princess cut. Today I think she would like a cushion or radiant after seeing a picture of a radiant on someones finger. She has a 7 3/4 to 8 finger size and she like the idea of the elongated radiant after having the oval on her finger.

She did like her friends halo cushion however her friends finger is a lot smaller then hers. She liked the ideal of a smaller diamond with a halo once she saw princes on the diamond holders. I told her dont look at the price but to look at the diamond and what she liked. So here I am today in the sense of an elongated radiant with or without a halo. I am assuming the pictures that I have attached above are like 3 carat diamonds and the halo in my opinion takes away from the diamond however if I were to get a smaller diamond I figure the halo would be a good idea to give the image of a larger diamond...

I do like the cushion as well the radiant, now on my end to choose diamond side and so on. She is the type that wants to be surprised with something and said that she wanted me to make a decision... so that is where I am at.
 
Last edited:
Do you think going with a cushion would be better then the radiant?
 
Yes, I think we can help you find a better performing cushion than radiant. Most radiants just don't have great light return and I think a cushion will be a more timeless stone than a radiant. But let me look a little and I'll be back!

Oh, and thanks so much for the explanation! I now understand!
 
 
I found exactly one radiant that I kind of like, but when you compare it's diameter measurements, it is smaller than the antique cushion even though they are the same weight.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.66-carat-g-color-vvs2-clarity-sku-374603 (6.56x6.53mm)

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.67-carat-i-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3596267 (6.88x7.08mm)

The modern cushion at 1.8 is only slightly larger than the 1.67 antique cushion.

https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/cushion-cut/1.80-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3596610 (6.87x7.23)

2 ct modern cushion:

https://enchanteddiamonds.com/diamonds/view/C203-724307607? (7.29x7.29mm)

So I'd go with any of the cushions and not the radiant. The antique cushion is much more rare and is a branded stone called August Vintage.
 
Did she like the oval? An oval in a halo is really stunning. Otherwise, I'd go for a cushion over a radiant (I used to want a radiant, btw) because they are easier to come by.
 
No she didnt like the oval as much as the radiant. I am not sure she will like the roundness of an elongated cushion... I think the reason why she liked the radiant was because to start with she liked the princes cut.
 
JeffParker said:
Ok so those are great suggestions now even though there is not much light return in a radiant maybe its for the look and shape? do you have any suggestions on those?

What about something like this?

https://www.brilliance.com/loose-di...-make-vs1-clarity-gia-certified-SKU-D14365713
Click to expand...

Can you request an ASET for that stone? ASETs for radiants are not very pretty but it will tell us a little bit about whats going on. You need to
also go look on BlueNile (only look at the ones with images). I did see several on BN that had the "look" you are after.
I liked this one...I did not go down to J color so didnt find any as big as what you are looking at.
(Hold ctrl key down when clicking BN links.)
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09276566

Ok, so went down to J...here is a bigger J on BN (cost more than the one you posted though)
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD08648181?refTab=RECOMMENDATIONS

Edit...unfortunately BN doesnt do ASETS (they might if the stone is in their possession so you can always ask)
 
tyty333 said:
Can you request an ASET for that stone? ASETs for radiants are not very pretty but it will tell us a little bit about whats going on. You need to
also go look on BlueNile (only look at the ones with images). I did see several on BN that had the "look" you are after.
I liked this one...I did not go down to J color so didnt find any as big as what you are looking at.
(Hold ctrl key down when clicking BN links.)
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD09276566

Ok, so went down to J...here is a bigger J on BN (cost more than the one you posted though)
https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD08648181?refTab=RECOMMENDATIONS

Edit...unfortunately BN doesnt do ASETS (they might if the stone is in their possession so you can always ask)
Click to expand...

Thank you for your response Tyty333,
The links you posted only take me to the Blue Nile homepage. I have looked at Blue Nile but they were a lot more expensive then Brilliance thus the reason why I have been looking at their website. I really do not want to go to a J color. I would much rather have a G,H,I but then again from reading and researching many say as long as it has a GIA Cert it should be fairly white...

I am not sure what a ASETS is???
 
JeffParker said:
No she didnt like the oval as much as the radiant. I am not sure she will like the roundness of an elongated cushion... I think the reason why she liked the radiant was because to start with she liked the princess cut.
Click to expand...

Why don't you look into a nice princess cut, if that is what she initially liked? there are some really pretty and well cut princess cut diamonds. Is that shape completely out? I would pick a princess/cushion over a radiant as well. I even have two small radiants. I love mine, but they just don't have the same performance as other shapes.
 
I personally do not like a Princess cut with a halo. I do however like a cushion with a halo and after she got to see some diamonds up close resting on her finger as well viewing a picture off of pinterest she did like the elongated radiant so that is why I have been searching for a radiant. Now with that said it was brought to my attention that I could get an elongated cushion as well but it would be more rounded and from what I am thinking she liked the square shape of the princess as well the cushion but when she had the elongated radiant resting on her finger she said that she like that as well. So being that the radiant was more square and longer I figured that is what I would look for.

SimoneDi said:
Why don't you look into a nice princess cut, if that is what she initially liked? there are some really pretty and well cut princess cut diamonds. Is that shape completely out? I would pick a princess/cushion over a radiant as well. I even have two small radiants. I love mine, but they just don't have the same performance as other shapes.
Click to expand...
 
JeffParker said:
I personally do not like a Princess cut with a halo. I do however like a cushion with a halo and after she got to see some diamonds up close resting on her finger as well viewing a picture off of pinterest she did like the elongated radiant so that is why I have been searching for a radiant. Now with that said it was brought to my attention that I could get an elongated cushion as well but it would be more rounded and from what I am thinking she liked the square shape of the princess as well the cushion but when she had the elongated radiant resting on her finger she said that she like that as well. So being that the radiant was more square and longer I figured that is what I would look for.
Click to expand...

If a halo is done nicely, a princess cut in a halo can look lovely. Here is an example: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/introducing-my-new-steven-kirsch-reset.185931/

If she liked a princess, get her that, you won't be wearing the ring. Princess cuts have a much better performance than radiants and they are more timeless, at least in my opinion.
 
HI Jeff,
From my perspective, there's a lot of issues when the words "performance" and "light return" enter into a discussion.
The reason is that each person has a different idea of how a diamond should perform- and how they want to see the light returning to their eyes.
Then, when we add in different folks' opinions, which definitely vary, it can get a bit confusing.
There are people who are attracted to size. Others are attracted to a given shape- such as elongated.
It's more difficult to cut an elongated stone with an even sparkle, and no static dark areas- and this is true for cushion and radiant cut.
So radiant cuts who's goal is the type of light performance regularly recommended here will generally be square, or close to it. ASET is a tool that can tell us how a diamond is gathering light. The preferred style around here has a certain type of look- bold greens and reds.
I prefer a different sort of Radiant cut- and the type I prefer can also be found in rectangular shapes.
Of course, no one is wrong for loving a given type- but tastes do vary.
 
Rockdiamond said:
HI Jeff,
From my perspective, there's a lot of issues when the words "performance" and "light return" enter into a discussion.
The reason is that each person has a different idea of how a diamond should perform- and how they want to see the light returning to their eyes.
Then, when we add in different folks' opinions, which definitely vary, it can get a bit confusing.

I prefer a different sort of Radiant cut- and the type I prefer can also be found in rectangular shapes.
Of course, no one is wrong for loving a given type- but tastes do vary.
Click to expand...

JeffParker- first of all, welcome to PS! It is evident that you care very much for your girlfriend and want to do well picking her out something she'll love.

The topic it seems the more seasoned PS member states are dancing around, and David only overtly mentioned, is that there are two "general" types of radiant cuts. There are those with clear patternings, similar to what can be found in a cushion or a princess cut, and the type called "crushed ice" that looks just you're looking down into a bucket of ice. This is the type that is in the photos of rings you posted, and the type that David prefers (I know because I read PS a lot more than i post and I go on David's store's website A LOT). The crushed ice style of radiant has less big bright flashes and more of a chaotic twinkle. More PS members prefer amore orderly light return in a radiant, but no the all of them. I like them both, fairly equally.

If you decide that you definitely want to get your girlfriend a radiant, you will need to decide which kind of radiant cut you want to search for. I'll go look for a video that shows the difference. :wavey:
 
JeffParker said:
Ok so those are great suggestions now even though there is not much light return in a radiant maybe its for the look and shape? do you have any suggestions on those?

What about something like this?

https://www.brilliance.com/loose-di...-make-vs1-clarity-gia-certified-SKU-D14365713
Click to expand...

That radiant looks awful to me. The "superideal" part is made up by the seller. In other words, that's less than honest since there is no such thing as a graded ideal cut radiant.

I just remembered my favorite radiant of all time, and it is still available and is in your price range. But remember, the cushions I posted before face up larger and that's pretty important. At the moment, the image I am seeing of this stone is distorted on my screen, but there is a video you can click on and see it really well.

https://www.goodoldgold.com/diamond-search/1.53-Radiant-N-AGS-G-VS2-diamond-stock-12189-cert-
 
Wow RetroTreeGal– thank you for such an amazing post.

It got me to thinking… I think over the years I've taken way too strong a position on this. As a seller, when I am working with clients, I really try hard to keep my opinion out of the discussion.
I found myself defending "crushed ice" over the years, simply because of how often it was getting attacked. My personal preference? Yes, I like that sort of a radiant cut diamond. But if a client likes the other sort, they're not wrong, and I wouldn't try to convince them otherwise.

I do need to correct one detail. The opposite of "crushed ice" is not necessarily a cushion or a princess cut. In general, stones with the pavilion to mimic a round brilliant would be the opposite. Many cushions , and some princess are crushed ice style light performance.
For example, stones described by GIA as "Cushion Brilliant" diamonds sometimes have high levels of contrast and patterning- and what would be considered by many here to be a nice ASET. "Cushion Modified Brilliant" cuts, as identified by GIA, often times have less ( or no) patterning and contrast, more scintillation. ( aka crushed ice) However this is not a hard fast rule in either case
 
Rockdiamond said:
I do need to correct one detail. The opposite of "crushed ice" is not necessarily a cushion or a princess cut. In general, stones with the pavilion to mimic a round brilliant would be the opposite. Many cushions , and some princess are crushed ice style light performance.
For example, stones described by GIA as "Cushion Brilliant" diamonds sometimes have high levels of contrast and patterning- and what would be considered by many here to be a nice ASET. "Cushion Modified Brilliant" cuts, as identified by GIA, often times have less ( or no) patterning and contrast, more scintillation. ( aka crushed ice) However this is not a hard fast rule in either case
Click to expand...

You're absolutely correct; my attempt to make a simply stated comparison made it come out wrong. "Brilliant" is the correct term for the cut style.
 
I really did love your post RetroTreeGal - I was blushing.
Sorry to be such a stickler for details - if it wasn't relevant to the OP's specific question, I would never have mentioned it.:wavey:

About videos- I have found it hard when searching online to find a video that was able to fairly portray both styles of cutting. It's easier to capture the contrast, more difficult to get the scintillation right.
 
Yeah I can't find a good video either. I can't even find a good still photo!
 
On the crushed-ice vs. not. I think of it in three categories thanks to a video by @Rhino. Slush (bad), crushed ice (bright twinkling small facets) and big facets.

I'm going to post a few options chosen by eye to get folks looking at them and give feedback. I won't take it personally if none are favored, but in reviewing actual choices it may help the OP train his eyes. I did not limit to any specific ratio, but looked at options under $13k H+, GIA/AGS only.

#1. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.80-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3212707 {good facets in the middle. Some mush toward the edges.}

#2. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.70-carat-g-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3373367 (really like this one. Bright clean facets. Not a lot of mush. Small inclusion on the girdle at 12'oclock and a tiny one in the center; should be eyeclean}

#3. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.52-carat-d-color-if-clarity-sku-3694355 {crushed ice of the good kind. Lots of small sparkles with light moving across the facets. Internally flawless, so no clarity to worry about}

#4. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.50-carat-g-color-vs1-clarity-sku-3656274 {similar to #1 in cuts style and performance}

#5. https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/radiant-cut/1.51-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-3696742 (big facets. Small inclusion at 7'ockock on the table might be offputting to some. I like the two large steps and higher crown. Maybe some mush on the e/w of the table}

@Rockdiamond I appreciate that you take the time to educate us (posters and PS members). We all have preferences...that's totally ok in my book. Some of the best discussions have been generated when we have to explain why we prefer what we do. Keep on posting about these harder shapes!
 
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