Radiant Guidance

[sabb]

I have read through several posts re: buying a radiant diamond and am honestly more overwhelmed and uncertain than when I started. I understand a radiant will never be the same as a round in regards to cut but its really the only shape I like.

I want to purchase a high quality diamond and was hoping some of the resident experts would weigh in with some guidance. This is what I have so far:

.75 to 1 carat radiant cut

color - D
clarity - vvs1 or IF
cut - very good
polish - very good or excellent
symmetry - good or very good

I don''t think I have much preference between fire or brilliance. I just want a nice symmetrical cut without excessive leakage. Could I get some feedback on ideal ranges for:

Table
Depth
Crown
Pavilion
Girdle
Length to Width Ratio

I''ve also heard that the ratings from some of the labs have been compromised and may not represent the actual gem very well. How do I go about ensuring I get what I am expecting?

Finally, is anyone familiar with the Hearts on Fire "Dream" cut? If so, are there any real differences between it and a well cut unbranded or is it just marketing? I have also looked at the Original Radiant Cut and South African Gems. SA Gems primarily because its conflict free and they have a setting I love. The jewelers that carry these various brands are approximately 2 hours away so I am trying to determine what I should be focusing on before I start driving all over the place.

Thanks in advance for your replies!

 

[Lorelei]

Welcome to PS!

Radiants are a tricky shape to evaluate by the numbers and really need to be seen, having said that, here is a cut proportion chart which may give you a baseline to avoid excessive depth etc.

http://diamonds.pricescope.com/fnc2.asp

Also I take it a very high colour and clarity are important to you? You could drop these and still have a very white and clean looking diamond, although the cut off for colour may be higher in a Radiant than a round - a G or H for example. But if having these top grades matter to you, of course that is fine, I just wanted to let you know you could broaden your options if you wished! It may be best to stick to GIA or AGS graded diamonds as these labs are considered to be the industry leaders. Perhaps the best way is to find a vendor or seller you like, if buying online then use their expertise to guide you, along with photos of the diamond to give you an idea of shape and personality, also an Idealscope Image to check for leakage and an ASET is very useful for Radiants. If buying from a jeweller, use your own 2 eyes and compare as many Radiants as you can to make sure of the type you like, Radiants can look incredibly different according to cut even if looking similar on paper.

Also here is a shape selector which may be useful. http://www.gemappraisers.com/shapePickerNew.asp
Sorry I am not familiar with the Dream type of the HoF.

 

[sabb]

Thank you for the links ad info, they are very helpful! Any advice on pavillion? I want a square radiant and yes, high color and clarity are very important to me. I don''t wear jewelry so this will probably be the only thing I buy/wear for 10 years or more (until a nice anniversary ring is warranted!) so I feel like its ok to go for the best available.

It was actually GIA that I heard was compromised but that was about 2 years ago.

Anyone else have input on the Hearts on Fire "Dream" cut? http://www.heartsonfire.com/DreamDiamond.aspx As you can tell, I am trying to find the "best" but don''t want to pay for marketing if their are unbranded equivalents.

 

[Nicrez]

Date: 8/30/2007 3:34:55 PM
Author: sabb
Thank you for the links ad info, they are very helpful! Any advice on pavillion? I want a square radiant and yes, high color and clarity are very important to me. I don't wear jewelry so this will probably be the only thing I buy/wear for 10 years or more (until a nice anniversary ring is warranted!) so I feel like its ok to go for the best available.

It was actually GIA that I heard was compromised but that was about 2 years ago.

Anyone else have input on the Hearts on Fire 'Dream' cut? http://www.heartsonfire.com/DreamDiamond.aspx As you can tell, I am trying to find the 'best' but don't want to pay for marketing if their are unbranded equivalents.

You may not care for size, but I can assure you that clarity at this size will not make your stone more precious to anyone but yourself. Up to VS2 you will not be able to tell any specific difference. I understand the drive for IF. Some people believe that an impurity would be symbolic. But the fact that from VVS1 to VS2 you already have impurities, and you are really only paying for the rarity of the rough which is entirely unnoticeable. Also what do you consider "the best"? Clarity and color can be, but many people like design or style, or the light return seems to be really popular on this forum. Does it have to be Radiant? What exactly is it you find most important?

Going to a VS1 for instance would allow you to go to a 1ct or so with your budget I am sure. Get a D if you like, some people are color sensitive and if you like icy white, you can certainly do no better than that. I am not against high clarity stones at all. I just think that at the size you are looking for, it's a bit of a huge increase in price for no reason. Stones over 3ct generally I would suggest higher color and clarity because they have the potential of becoming investment-grade purchases. But under that range, you are just paying for that piece of mind without seeing it. Just know that going from one clarity to a higher clarity is more expensive per incremement than going up in color or size.

In the end you may end up with a VVS if you find the right stone because getting a square radiant is NOT easy. They are difficult to find, and often cut pretty poorly. I always suggest that people take a look at the Original Radiants to see the facet arrangement they like most. They have different looks, as you may already have noticed. Then there are the "radiants" that are princess cuts or hybrids with cut corners. Also a personal taste if you like them. But they would have to be seen to be loved.

Good luck! And let us know how the search goes once you have seen some you like!