Radiant help

[kevin329]

as i said i dont know much about radients but my eyes like how this one looks. Though I dont know the budget

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI1-Very-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1389795.asp


these are the radients i like, though like i said. what do i know, I'm a pear girl haha


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1487043.asp

The first one is nice, I would want to make sure the feathering on the face is not obvious and also again the ratio. I know fluorescence usually isn't something to worry about too much, but medium blue might be noticeable in a platinum or WG setting.

The 2 carat is not an option haha.

 

[kevin329]

I'm not good with radiants but I can tell you that the pattern on the G VS1 stone is more attractive to me than the D VS1 radiant.

I agree...i'm really liking the facet pattern on the G VS1. The deeper the stone the smaller it will face up.

Have you considered a cushion cut set in a cut cornered setting to look like a radiant? This one has an antique facet pattern and faces up nice and large. Don't know your budget though. If it is eye clean it might be a great option. I had a 2.1c. radiant cut and sold it and the gemologist said that if it had been a round or cushion the value would have been higher. Cushions and rounds are the most sought after and popular right now.

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-SI2-Good-Cut-Cushion-Diamond-1527659.asp

this G si2 from james allen is a cushion brilliant and depth is mid 60% and table is mid 50% the ideal cut for a nice cushion diamond. finding a cushion brilliant is like finding a needle in a haystack as most are modified cushions these days. I see now that this stone is way under budget but if eye clean the faceting is quite marvelous...a chunky cushion cut which is also highly desirable and faces up nice and large because of the mid 60% depth. And it is an elongated cushion which is what you are looking for. It would be interesting to see the ASET image on this stone and compare it to the radiant G VS1 you have on hold.

The ASET image will give you a clue as to the light return on these stones. Take a look at goodoldgold August Vintage cushions and how small the tables are...which produces a higher crown which makes a much prettier stone.

I've noticed that now they are cutting radiants so deep that they face up smaller for their carat weight. Good luck in your search. Hope this helps.

Interesting info about the crown. Since it hasn't been listed on any of the certs I figured it wasn't that important Guess I need to keep researching!!

 

[kevin329]

these step cut radiants look very nice...this one is smaller than you want and the other one over budget but maybe they can get you one in your price range:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-IF-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1355816.asp (note the small table)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VVS1-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1354719.asp



http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS1-Very-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1496977.asp

This one is 2c and a 2k over budget:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Very-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1336872.asp

But I still like that 1.36c cushion G SI2 the best. Color and clarity do not make a diamond more beautiful. Cut is KING and you can have a lower color and clarity stone that is well cut and can perform better than a higher color and higher clarity stone.

You can't pay any attention to the cut ratings that JA gives their fancy cut stones...GIA and AGS only rate the cut of their round brilliants.

So if i can't pay attention to the JA cut ratings, and yet cut is most important, how do I know I am getting a good diamond with a good cut? Table, depth, and overall appearance?

 

[Niel]

as i said i dont know much about radients but my eyes like how this one looks. Though I dont know the budget

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-SI1-Very-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1389795.asp


these are the radients i like, though like i said. what do i know, I'm a pear girl haha


http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1487043.asp

The first one is nice, I would want to make sure the feathering on the face is not obvious and also again the ratio. I know fluorescence usually isn't something to worry about too much, but medium blue might be noticeable in a platinum or WG setting.

The 2 carat is not an option haha.

I know 2 ct isnt( not for me either ), but that one was just for fun. I really only meant 1 as an option haha. You could always ask if the flour has any negative effects. I dont think the platinum would make it better or worse, so if JA says it doesnt have negative effects then really its a positive attribute. Also they could tell you about the feather also.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

these step cut radiants look very nice...this one is smaller than you want and the other one over budget but maybe they can get you one in your price range:
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-IF-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1355816.asp (note the small table)

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VVS1-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1354719.asp



http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VS1-Very-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1496977.asp

This one is 2c and a 2k over budget:

http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Very-Good-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1336872.asp

But I still like that 1.36c cushion G SI2 the best. Color and clarity do not make a diamond more beautiful. Cut is KING and you can have a lower color and clarity stone that is well cut and can perform better than a higher color and higher clarity stone.

You can't pay any attention to the cut ratings that JA gives their fancy cut stones...GIA and AGS only rate the cut of their round brilliants.

So if i can't pay attention to the JA cut ratings, and yet cut is most important, how do I know I am getting a good diamond with a good cut? Table, depth, and overall appearance?

Well, this is why I use one of the vendors who will call in a few stones and do ASET images and check out the stones for me. Good Old Gold even does videos. It is harder to buy fancy cuts than rounds, unfortunately.

 

[kevin329]

Well, this is why I use one of the vendors who will call in a few stones and do ASET images and check out the stones for me. Good Old Gold even does videos. It is harder to buy fancy cuts than rounds, unfortunately.

I have the ASET image requested for the 2 diamonds I have on hold, but how beneficial is the ASET for a radiant? Do you think the 70% table is going to be too much?

 

[athenaworth]

Did you see this on JbEG's smugmug? It's gorgeous! http://jewelsbyericagrace.smugmug.com/Jewelry/Modern-and-Estate-Pieces/151ct-Radiant-Cut-Diamond-Halo/26398258_8Ljg3G#!i=2201814282&k=mpSBjrQ

 

[Niel]

you have the asets? are you going to post them?

 

[Rockdiamond]

What do you guys like to see in the ASET for a Radiant Cut diamond?

 

[Rockdiamond]

Well, this is why I use one of the vendors who will call in a few stones and do ASET images and check out the stones for me. Good Old Gold even does videos. It is harder to buy fancy cuts than rounds, unfortunately.

I have the ASET image requested for the 2 diamonds I have on hold, but how beneficial is the ASET for a radiant? Do you think the 70% table is going to be too much?

Hi Kevin,
In terms of statistics: There's so many different type of facet patterns which will be correctly categorized as "Radiant Cut"- remember, there's no GIA shape called "Radiant Cut". This makes charts giving different numbers to aim for less meaningful.
I've seen great looking Radiant Cut diamonds with 70% tables- and others not so much.
The reason I ask about what folks like to see in ASET is to find out the type of radiant cut they prefer.
The different types of facet patterns produce different types of sparkle. Some of my favorite types of radiant cuts use a totally different type of "mechanism" to reflect the light that using an RBC as comparison just won't work.
Having said that- some radiant cut stones do seem to try and mimic a round brilliant- with varying degrees of success.

So much of judging Radiant cut diamonds comes down to preference.

 

[JulieN]

What do you guys like to see in the ASET for a Radiant Cut diamond?

It should be at least as good as the "Good" in this reference chart. http://ideal-scope.com/1.using_reference_chart_ASET.asp

I don't want to see a lot of leakage at the inside perimeter of the table. Green is ok.

 

[Niel]

What do you guys like to see in the ASET for a Radiant Cut diamond?

heck if I know, i was just wondering if he was going to share them. Id like to know what a good radient looks like

 

[kevin329]

I don't have the ASET images yet, I have requested that they do an ASET on the two diamonds that the inspector at James Allen will be looking at in the next few days. They said their office is a bit behind because of Sandy.

I will be sure to post them when I get them... if I can figure out how to post pictures haha.

 

[kevin329]

Well, this is why I use one of the vendors who will call in a few stones and do ASET images and check out the stones for me. Good Old Gold even does videos. It is harder to buy fancy cuts than rounds, unfortunately.

I have the ASET image requested for the 2 diamonds I have on hold, but how beneficial is the ASET for a radiant? Do you think the 70% table is going to be too much?

Hi Kevin,
In terms of statistics: There's so many different type of facet patterns which will be correctly categorized as "Radiant Cut"- remember, there's no GIA shape called "Radiant Cut". This makes charts giving different numbers to aim for less meaningful.
I've seen great looking Radiant Cut diamonds with 70% tables- and others not so much.
The reason I ask about what folks like to see in ASET is to find out the type of radiant cut they prefer.
The different types of facet patterns produce different types of sparkle. Some of my favorite types of radiant cuts use a totally different type of "mechanism" to reflect the light that using an RBC as comparison just won't work.
Having said that- some radiant cut stones do seem to try and mimic a round brilliant- with varying degrees of success.

So much of judging Radiant cut diamonds comes down to preference.

Thank you for that explanation. I did find some info on the GOG site about the different evaluating tools, but it seems it all pertains to round brilliants.

All I know is, she likes shiny sparkly things and the color green. The green I will take care of with a small stone in the setting, but the diamond needs to be the shiny sparkly thing.

 

[kevin329]

What do you guys like to see in the ASET for a Radiant Cut diamond?

It should be at least as good as the "Good" in this reference chart. http://ideal-scope.com/1.using_reference_chart_ASET.asp

I don't want to see a lot of leakage at the inside perimeter of the table. Green is ok.

Thank you for the link, it helped me to find this:

http://ideal-scope.com/1.using_fancy.asp

 

[Rockdiamond]

HI Kevin,
Remember that using reflector technology to evaluate radiant cut diamonds is a completely un-developed science.
There's no radiant cuts shown on the Ideal Scope pages.

My experience is that some of the best cut radiant diamonds produce reflector images that look completely the opposite of what you want to see in a round, for example.
The multitude of reflections in a well cut radiant cause a "cacophony of sparkle"- as opposed to the incredibly well organized pattern of an RBC- or a radiant cut to mock an RBC.
Using reflectors is far more straightforward in stones with organized patterns.

What I look for in a well cut radiant is a lack of patterns.
Many people prefer less dark areas- larger facets that may flash dark at some angles- or in bad cases, remain dark through a range of motion.

I hope this helps.

 

[kevin329]

HI Kevin,
Remember that using reflector technology to evaluate radiant cut diamonds is a completely un-developed science.
There's no radiant cuts shown on the Ideal Scope pages.

My experience is that some of the best cut radiant diamonds produce reflector images that look completely the opposite of what you want to see in a round, for example.
The multitude of reflections in a well cut radiant cause a "cacophony of sparkle"- as opposed to the incredibly well organized pattern of an RBC- or a radiant cut to mock an RBC.
Using reflectors is far more straightforward in stones with organized patterns.

What I look for in a well cut radiant is a lack of patterns.
Many people prefer less dark areas- larger facets that may flash dark at some angles- or in bad cases, remain dark through a range of motion.

I hope this helps.

Absolutely does help. Notes taken!!

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Oh gosh, what I look for IS organized patterns! Again, this is my example of a very well cut radiant and it certainly has symmetrical patterns!

 

[Rockdiamond]

DS- you might be very surprised if you saw an ASET of that stone. I doubt it would have an organized pattern in a reflector

 

[chrono]

Fancies cannot be purchased by the numbers. The depth is just to be sure the stone isn't too deep and faces up small for its carat weight. The table is so you don't get something too glassy. For fancies, I've just looked at the pattern, usually by eye and IS. I've never used an ASET but it is the same principle. Just don't expect perfect reds and blacks like for RB.

 

[kevin329]

Thank you for the compliment on my ring. I do enjoy my radiant!

Hope you find something awesome that doesn't make you "jump ship"....OKOK REALLY bad joke....but David's site is rife with examples and choice; notwithstanding he has some enticing colored diamonds/radiants also!

Come back and let us know what you find.

cheers--Sharon

canuk-gal (Sharon if I may be so bold),

Do you mind sharing the length, width, table, depth of your beautiful radiant? I tried to search through your posts but you have too many!!!

I am just trying to get an idea of the perfect shape because yours pretty much fits the bill as far as my eyes can tell from the pictures.

I understand the numbers don't tell the whole story, but at least I will have an opening paragraph.

Thanks!

 

[JulieN]

Hey, Kevin, have you talked to the JA people about it yet? I think it is one of the better radiants I've seen online.

 

[kevin329]

Hey, Kevin, have you talked to the JA people about it yet? I think it is one of the better radiants I've seen online.

I have not heard anything from the people at James Allen yet. I will be sure to let you guys know as soon as I do, as I'm sure I'll be needing more help deciphering whatever they tell me.

 

[canuk-gal]

Thank you for the compliment on my ring. I do enjoy my radiant!

Hope you find something awesome that doesn't make you "jump ship"....OKOK REALLY bad joke....but David's site is rife with examples and choice; notwithstanding he has some enticing colored diamonds/radiants also!

Come back and let us know what you find.

cheers--Sharon

canuk-gal (Sharon if I may be so bold),

Do you mind sharing the length, width, table, depth of your beautiful radiant? I tried to search through your posts but you have too many!!!

I am just trying to get an idea of the perfect shape because yours pretty much fits the bill as far as my eyes can tell from the pictures.

I understand the numbers don't tell the whole story, but at least I will have an opening paragraph.

Thanks!

....and I should have those documents handy, right? hmmmmm in which pile are they.......hmmmmm

ETA: that was easier than I thought....10.54 x 9.06 x 6.75. I don't know what a well cut radiant appears like, but mine has a big table. Like a skating rink.

cheers--Sharon

 

[diamondseeker2006]

It has a big table because it is a big stone! But it is a beautifully cut stone!

 

[kevin329]

From the JA gemologist:

I'm happy to tell you that diamond 1326561 (1.51crt G VS1) is a beautiful, bright radiant that offers very nice fire, brilliance, and scintillation. It has a true "G" color, faces eye clean, and outperforms your other option. This is the diamond our gemologist favored the most and I strongly encourage you to consider it for your diamond purchase.

Diamond 1391469 (1.32crt D VS1) is also rather bright but it has a little bit of contrast at the edge of its table. While beautiful in its own right, by comparison, diamond 1326561 is your better option.

Still trying to figure out how to upload the ASET images...

*edit: Linking from photobucket seems to be easier...

1.51crt G VS1

1.32 crt D VS1

 

[chrono]

The ASET also shows that the G outperforms the D. The G is really pretty - lots of green with bright red. In contrast, the D has 2 large areas of black.

 

[canuk-gal]

HI:

With this data Kevin--what do you think?

cheers--Sharon

 

[kevin329]

Well, as far as these two go, I would be picking the G.

However......

I made the mistake of showing my SO the goodoldgold website, and I think she now may have her heart set on an AVC.

I am waiting for her to decide on radiant, or AVC. She doesn't like the "crushed glass look" but at the same time likes shiny sparkly things as she says, and wants rectangular shape.

So I don't know what is happening any more hahaha.

I like the 1.51crt G.

 

[canuk-gal]

Well, as far as these two go, I would be picking the G.

However......

I made the mistake of showing my SO the goodoldgold website, and I think she now may have her heart set on an AVC.

I am waiting for her to decide on radiant, or AVC. She doesn't like the "crushed glass look" but at the same time likes shiny sparkly things as she says, and wants rectangular shape.

So I don't know what is happening any more hahaha.

I like the 1.51crt G.

One down, a hundred more to go! hahhaaa

cheers--Sharon