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Radiant vs Oval

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Stone Hunter

Stone Hunter

Ideal_Rock
Premium
Joined
May 12, 2006
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6,487
OK I admit it. I have yet to settle on a shape. You all have such fabulous rings.

I want some sparkle and love the oval and radiant shapes. BUT I''m afraid that the oval may not sparkle like a radiant.

What do you all think?
 
I personally prefer ovals to radiants, but I am not fond of radiants overall. I think they are often too flashy. Depends on size and setting, though...
 
I love a nice oval, over a radiant but that''s just me. Also with an oval, I am picky about bow ties. If there is a great oval and no bow tie, I''m lovin it.
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Yes bow ties are something I want to avoid.

I was going to pick indecisive as my screen name...
 
I love a nice oval too! My e-ring is a tension set east/west oval and I get a lot of compliments on it because it''s pretty unique. I definitely love the unique factor :)
 
Well I''ve had an oval for 15 years so it doesn''t feel unique to me anymore! But I do still like the shape...

Those E/W settings are really cool.
 
I''d pick a radiant over an oval, obviously with my username. I prefer the square shaped radiants over the rectangular ones. I had a hard time finding one I like, but we finally found a beautiful one. There are some that are really flashy, but I feel the one we picked was just right. The oval shape just doesn''t look right to me.
 
They''re both nice, but personally I''d choose a radiant only for a fancy color, like a beautiful intense yellow or a light pink, yummy. The radiant cut intensifies color so well.Then again, I''ve seen some incredible white radiants in gigantor sizes that looked totally breathtaking!! Between the two, I''d choose an oval and put it in a delicate, blingy setting (pave band).
 
I always think an oval brilliant will sparkle more than a radiant - this might be controversial and a matter of opinion but it is said that rounds sparkle most ( as we know) then followed by an oval. If it was me wanting the sparkliest out of the two , for sure I would go for the oval, but get what appeals to your eye, both these shapes are very different!
 
There are some cutters which fashion their Ovals with "radiant type" faceting arrangements on the pavilion... (like most Oval fancy yellow''s)

that type of pavilion doen not include a "bowtie"
 
Well, I own a radiant so I''m a bit biased, but I love it! I love that not everyone has it, it looks so icey, and for whatever reason the stone seems to take me inside of it when I stare at it. I like the rectangular shape (squares are nice too), but that it has more brilliance than an emerald cut.

The bow tie on ovals to me is quite obvious even for well cut ovals, and to me I would rather have a round than a oval...if you are going for light preformance.

Really well cut radiants are hard to find however...but so are well cut ovals.


Radiants are also a bit like cats, there are plenty of people that really don''t like them at all, and some people that are just crazy about them! That being said, some people will love your ring, and others won''t...but it''s really up to you and how much you like radiants.
 
I love both radiants and ovals. I have a radiant e-ring ring, but I really wanted an oval right hand ring. That probably won''t be happening, but both are very nice shapes. If you get an oval, try to minimize the bowtie. I think ovals tend to look larger than radiants, so if appearance is a concern, I would get an oval. Either way, I don''t think you can go wrong. Both are beautiful shapes.
 
Hi! Choosing between a radiant and an oval is a tough call even though they look totally different. I have 2 radiants and 1 oval, and it all boils down to what I'm in the mood to wear each day. You might have a better chance of avoiding a bow tie with a radiant. What about getting one shape now and one shape later as a right hand ring?
 
That would be a tough choice. I like the way both shapes look on me, and I used to think I wanted an oval, but the whole bow tie thing would bug me. For some reason, radiants remind me more of coctail rings or RHRs rather than e-rings (at least the rectangular ones do). This may sound weird, but I think ovals are more romantic while radiants are "stronger" they have more of a presence.

I guess I am the wrong one to ask.
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Date: 5/24/2006 10:59:26 PM
Author:Stone Hunter
OK I admit it. I have yet to settle on a shape. You all have such fabulous rings.


I want some sparkle and love the oval and radiant shapes. BUT I''m afraid that the oval may not sparkle like a radiant.


What do you all think?
Click to expand...

Hi Stone Hunter,

If you haven''t settled on a shape I would recommend looking at cushion cuts, too. But if you''ve already narrowed it down to radiant vs. oval, I would suggest that you let your preference for the ring design help you make your decision. In my view, a radiant would be better suited for a more modern design, while an oval (or cushion) would look better in a more traditional style.

Hope this helps.

Bill Scherlag
 
I have a 1.5 box radiant that I don''t think looks too ''flashy'' at all. I was suprised to discover that so many people dislike them on this forum--esp. since companies like Tiffany & Co. announce it as one of their best sellers.
I like that few people know of them (at least in my circle of friends/family).
As one other poster noted, take a look at cushions--i personally love them (a nice compromise b/w a square and round, unique yet classic) although I have heard they are also hard to find properly cut.

Note that cushions and ovals often look just like rounds from a few feet or further away--i discovered this when a jewller ''tested'' me with shapes in a store--it was almost impossible (for me) to tell these shapes apart, however the radiant looked different and caught my eye (this is what initially attracted me to the shape)

what it all comes down to is personal preference and comfort....have fun deciding!
 
Date: 5/25/2006 11:13:59 AM
Author: Jas12
I have a 1.5 box radiant that I don''t think looks too ''flashy'' at all. I was suprised to discover that so many people dislike them on this forum--esp. since companies like Tiffany & Co. announce it as one of their best sellers.
I like that few people know of them (at least in my circle of friends/family).
As one other poster noted, take a look at cushions--i personally love them (a nice compromise b/w a square and round, unique yet classic) although I have heard they are also hard to find properly cut.

Note that cushions and ovals often look just like rounds from a few feet or further away--i discovered this when a jewller ''tested'' me with shapes in a store--it was almost impossible (for me) to tell these shapes apart, however the radiant looked different and caught my eye (this is what initially attracted me to the shape)

what it all comes down to is personal preference and comfort....have fun deciding!
Click to expand...
Jas12 - Do you have any pics of your ring? I would love to see it. My boyfriend just purchased a 1.23 ct. box radiant for me and the ring is being made right now. I am always so curious to see other people''s radiant stones. I agree with you regarding not many people liking this shape. I love the fact that not everyone has it, and the way it sparkles is why I was so drawn to radiants. I personally prefer cushions over the oval shape.
 
Hi! I started out looking for an oval, which brought me to PS. It just seemed so classic to me. I was also drawn to the EC (I obviously go for longer shapes), but the EC sparkle was too sublte for me. I saw the length and cut corners of the radiant, and I was hooked. I searched all over for a longer one than square. Not only do I love the cut glass look, but I love how it''s different from my family and friends around me. I couldn''t be happier. I''m biased, but I say go for the radiant! I also second the cushion, it''s a great cut!
 
Date: 5/25/2006 2:59:10 AM
Author: DiaGem
There are some cutters which fashion their Ovals with ''radiant type'' faceting arrangements on the pavilion... (like most Oval fancy yellow''s)

that type of pavilion doen not include a ''bowtie''
Click to expand...
DiaGem, any pictures of these ovals with radiant faceting? A new bird for me, I''d love to know more.
 
Wow! Thank you for all of your thoughtful responses.

I really don''t think the ovals I''ve seen sparkle. Of course I plan to order a really well cut stone, not what I''ve seen in B&M stores. I don''t want a bow tie. I do want sparkle. I want the radiant to be rectangular.

I''m surprised that people think radiants are flashy. I need to see more of them!

I''m off to search for photos of Madam B''s rings.
 
Hi! I don't have a digital camera or a scanner, so I can't post pictures of my collection. (My radiant cut canary diamond is on page 4 of the "show me your rings with halos" thread). I'm thinking about getting one of those cell phones that takes pictures - maybe I can do it that way. Happy hunting!
 
Thanks Madam B. I just found your previous post where you said you didn''t have a digital camera.

I''d love to see your collection because you have both oval and radiant! Please buy the phone.

I''m going to spend some time in Show Me the Ring today
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I think it is a really good point to think of the type of setting you would ultimately like...could make a difference. I have seen nice and not nice of ALL shapes, boils down to cut and color etc...I also love cushions and think they are a nice compromise, but as someone said they are hard to find when they are well cut. I have an emerald cut, I did not need faceted sparkle, but some people do not like asschers or emeralds because they do not have that flash of sparkliness. I personally think it really depends on what looks good on your hand ( length or not) and then how you want to set it...while I think almost any stone looks good as a solitaire or with a tapered baguette, I also think linear shapes look good with some times of settings and rounded softer stones look best with other types...
 
I have a square radiant and I love it. I had a princess, and when I upgraded, this was available. Anyway, even though I obviouly love the squarer shape, I would love an oval too.... I think it depends on the wearer, of course~!!

I would say an oval with no/small bowtie would be my choice!
 
Hi radiant girl--i am trying to post some pics for you...i am having trouble ( i have a mac, and i guess it''s a little more difficult or i am just a little techo-challenged?!)
hope this works--i can email pics if u are really interested in seeing them

hmmm--i am not seeing the pics in the preview?

radiant2.jpg
 
Hi Jas12 - I can see your picture fine. It''s beautiful! What are the specs on your stone? I absolutely love radiants and my bf should be receiving the ring next Tuesday. I hope he doesn''t make me wait too long to propose. Anyways, thanks for sharing your picture with me!
emsmile.gif
 
Hi

the stone is a 1.5 box radiant
colour G
VS1
table: 64%
depth: 65
Crown angle: 33.5
crown height: 11.8
pavilion angle: 44.6
pavilion depth: 51.5
polish good
girdle: .7-1.7%
natural, no florescence

i have a size 4 finger...the diamond is set in platinum 2mm band with pave (although the band is being changed to a michael b. setting soon!)
 
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