Radiant or Princess

[Devlgrl2000]

Would a radiant or princess look larger? I''m researching square cuts (open to suggestions) and trying to get the most out of a 6-7K budget. Thanks!

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/26/2008 3:31:11 PM
Author:Devlgrl2000
Would a radiant or princess look larger? I''m researching square cuts (open to suggestions) and trying to get the most out of a 6-7K budget. Thanks!

It depends on the diameter measurement of each particular stone, if you want the largest looking diamond for the weight, then ovals, pear and marquise can fit the bill. Also you could consider the classic emerald cut possibly. But I would suggest looking at both radiants and princess in person to see which you like best, also the looks and performance of these diamonds can vary, so compare each as much as you can.

 

[Devlgrl2000]

It seems that radiant and princesses can look almost identical, maybe that the facet pattern on a radiant is a bit wider/chunkier?

 

[Lorelei]

Date: 8/26/2008 3:38:32 PM
Author: Devlgrl2000
It seems that radiant and princesses can look almost identical, maybe that the facet pattern on a radiant is a bit wider/chunkier?

They can have very different looks, radiants can have clipped corners and be more rectangular as well as squarer, whereas Princess are usually square, each shape need to be seen to be properly evaluated, faceting patterns can vary. Some radiants have chunky faceting, other more crushed ice, so it can be a matter of taste.

See this thread for some radiants

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/show-me-your-radiant-cuts.57377/

 

[girlie-girl]

I agree with Lorelei that princess and radiants have very different looks.

I personally love radiants and their uniqueness, which is why I purchased one for my ring. They are a bit tricky to pick out and you're likely to look at quite a few before you find one you fall in love with, but if you persevere you'll be rewarded with a beautiful stone! Here's a link to my ring if you want to check it out.

 

[jstarfireb]

Take a look at some princesses and radiants at a b&m store to get an idea of what you like!

If you happen to like princesses better but love the clipped corners of the radiant, since you mentioned wanting to maximize diameter per carat weight, I''d look into cuts like the Whiteflash X-Factor and Good Old Gold''s Cut Corner Squares. Here are a few that I love:
1.065 H SI1 X-factor
1.07 F SI1 CCS
0.98 E VS1 CCS - this one is an Adura, which I had not heard of until just now.

 

[Irishgrrrl]

Devlgrl~

I''m not sure if this will help, but here''s a link to my e-ring''s thread here on PS: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/finally-got-some-half-decent-pics-of-my-set.92000/

The pics are kinda blurry, but I thought you might want to see them since my center stone is a radiant and my side stones are princesses . . . which lets you see the two side-by-side. It''s hard to see the cut corners on my radiant because they''re mostly hidden by the prongs. Here''s another, clearer pic:

And one more:

I do love my radiant! I think it looks bigger than its size (it''s 0.75 carat), which is always a good thing! LOL!

I''m a big fan of princess cuts, too, and you can see my 1.44 ctw princess studs in my avatar, and also here: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/wanna-see-some-good-lookin-studs.89605/

Personally, if I had to choose, I''d pick a radiant over a princess. I think radiants tend to be spreadier than princess cuts, and I personally like the "cracked ice" look that you can get with some radiants. Purely a personal preference thing, though!

 

[Devlgrl2000]

Thank you all for the information/experiences you''ve shared.
Are there any other "square" cuts I should be looking into, why not make it a bit harder on myself right?
I like the look of a cushion, but it''s just not square enough for me.
I just want to make sure I''ve checked out all my options.

 

[Devlgrl2000]

Girlie-girl
Thanks for sharing your pictures, a version of your ring is actually a design I''m considering. The only real difference minus the pave is we wanted to have the split shank a bit wider and stay open the whole way around the ring so a wedding band could nest inside. A fairly unique idea if I do say so myself

Thanks for the reference the it''s easier to picture now.

 

[girlie-girl]

Here's another idea for you to consider since you like the nestling wedding band idea, even though it shows a round center stone:

Sorry, but I don't know who makes the setting.

 

[Devlgrl2000]

No worries girlie-girl, we're doing a custom design with a local jeweler. So much for the design being all that unique

 

[jstarfireb]

Date: 8/27/2008 2:53:56 PM
Author: Devlgrl2000


Thank you all for the information/experiences you''ve shared.

Are there any other ''square'' cuts I should be looking into, why not make it a bit harder on myself right?

I like the look of a cushion, but it''s just not square enough for me.

I just want to make sure I''ve checked out all my options.

Yes, actually there are quite a few! I''m a huge fan of square cuts. Good Old Gold has a fantastic selection. Be sure to check out their Square H&A cushions (that may actually be your best match because you said you liked cushions), Princess of Hearts, and Jubilee stones, as well as the CCS ones I mentioned. Tiffany''s has the gorgous Lucida cut, and there is another proprietary but less expensive "copy" of it called the Lucere. The Flanders Brilliant is a pretty rare but beautiful square cut. And of course there''s always the beautiful Asscher, but the downside of Asschers is that they are deep with high crowns, so they face up small for carat weight.

 

[Devlgrl2000]

jstarfireb
I''m totally in lust with the flanders, I haven''t seen one in person but my guess is that they''re just as unique and gorgeous in person. Any guess on a price quote for 1ct +/-
Is there an unbranded version of the flanders out there?

 

[jstarfireb]

Date: 8/27/2008 4:00:27 PM
Author: Devlgrl2000
jstarfireb

I''m totally in lust with the flanders, I haven''t seen one in person but my guess is that they''re just as unique and gorgeous in person. Any guess on a price quote for 1ct +/-

Is there an unbranded version of the flanders out there?

Not as far as I know, but that doesn''t mean it''s not out there! I would check with GOG to see if they could source some Flanders stones for you. Here is a beautiful example of the Flanders cut...I love it too!

NiceIce also has some info on the cut and might be able to source them for you.

 

[Devlgrl2000]

jstarfireb
Thanks for the reference, I''ve just emailed niceice and GOG.Ugh the poor boyfriend is going to love the news that I''ve fallen love with an expensive and rare cut. Oh well, he knows about my talent of walking into any store and picking out the most expensive item available. I can see the $$$ signs in his eye spinning.
I''ll keep you posted.

 

[Devlgrl2000]

In the meantime thoughts on these
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/F-SI1-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1144040.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1131776.asp
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/E-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1113639.asp