RADIANT-CUT DIAMONDS: SPARKLES IN VARIETIES
Radiant-cut diamonds are nothing short of spectacular. Basically, these radiant-cut rings offer you those extra sparkles as a variety product. However, how did they come to be?
Consider that rare opportunity to create a remake of a classic element in the jewelry world. This element is the timeless allure found in the age long ring cut known as the emerald cut. This is one ring cut that dates back to the 16th century.
Now, you get the chance to adjust the technique a little bit to add extra radiance. And that, in turn, produces these Radiant-cut Diamonds.
Interestingly, in only a little above four decades, this diamond shape already competes with its vintage predecessors.
Therefore, are you searching for another option instead of the famous princess cut? Then, you must try radiant-cut diamond rings. They are easily a chic and classic option compared to others around.
More so, you have the option to try it out in a range of styles. You can have it in your solitaire engagement ring. Another option is to set it in a wedding band. Anyway you do it, radiant-cut rings will always have that special sparkle and brilliance.
Lastly, before you go for any of this style of diamond, be sure to understand the rudiments properly. A good knowledge of how this cut’s grade and where to get the best out there is highly essential. That right there is the purpose of this article. Keep reading!
Introducing The Radiant-Cut Diamonds
Radiant-cut diamonds mix the silhouette of the emerald cut with the brilliance and sparkle of the round diamond. These radiant-cut diamond rings come in both square and rectangular designs. Also, they are usually cut with 70 facets.
Meanwhile, the corners of radiant-cut diamonds are beveled. Hence, they come out as more lasting diamonds. They are less likely to chip.
Similarly, a radiant cut is a crossbred shape. Mostly, we have them as square or rectangles with narrowly pruned edges.
The majority of radiant-cut diamonds feature between 53 and 70 facets. These facets seriously add to their eye-popping glitter. That additional spark makes this octagonal diamond distinguished for engagement and wedding rings.
History Of Radiant-Cut Rings
Let us take a trip back to the late 1970s. Then, a genius diamond cutter, Henry Grossbard made a shape that will be called the radiant cut.
For Henry, he hoped to incorporate the classic nature of a square silhouette with the grandness of a round. This explains why this elegantly cut diamond remains the center stone for many celebrity engagement rings. This list features stars like Khloe Kardashian and Jennifer Aniston.
Later on in his life, Henry Grossbard’s family escaped from a Nazi camp in occupied France to the US. In the United States, he proceeded to develop and master his diamond skills and craft over 3 full decades.
What to Look For In Radiant-Cut Diamond Rings?
Note: “When selecting a radiant-cut diamond it’s important to be mindful of a well-centered cullet, parallel sides and corners that are cut identical in size.” Those are the exact words of gemologist, Lauren Addison in an interview with Brides.
When shopping for radiant-cut diamond rings, ensure you check for the following details. Along with the details provided, we also provide you with expert recommendations. This is so that you can make an informed choice.
-
Quality
The first detail you want to know is what exactly makes radiant-cut diamond rings high quality? First, you begin by making that choice for these radiant-cut diamond rings. After this, you’ll love to confirm that the ratio is at its best.
According to Lauren Addison, “For a traditional rectangular shaped radiant, the ideal ratio is 1.25 although anywhere from 1.20-1.30 will fall within the target parameters. For a square-shaped radiant-cut, a ratio between 1.00-1.03 is best.”
- Best Settings
The next detail is what settings will perfectly be fit for radiant-cut rings? If you want that shine, then you perhaps should opt for an open-prong setting. This will give room for exceptional light interaction.
“If you’re looking for a bit more embellishment, consider adding a diamond halo or setting your radiant with fancy-shaped side stones such as trillions.” That’s an expert advice from Lauren Addison.
Furthermore, radiant-cut diamonds lend themselves to a vast variety of ring styles. They come out simply yet gorgeously as a solitaire. Again, they come out well also when used in a three-stone ring. When you also see radiant-cut diamonds in wedding bands, the view is breathtaking.
Overall, it’s advisable not to use a bezel setting with this cut. Consider the fact that the metal around it can douse the extraordinary blaze. More so, it can hinder light reflection. Hence, there comes the need for at least four prongs.
These prongs position themselves at the clipped edges of the diamond. That way, the can firmly hold the gemstone in place.
- Wearability
Due to the number of facets radiant-cut diamonds feature, they “better conceal inclusions and enhance color. They also disperse more light, which means more sparkle.” Those were words from the expert geologist herself.
Qualities To Consider in Radiant-Cut Diamond Rings
-
Cut Quality
Choosing one of these radiant-cut diamond rings means you must understand how to assess its cut quality. This is as a large portion of a diamond’s loveliness comes from its cut. Nevertheless, with elegant diamond cuts like radiant-cut diamonds, this is mostly personal.
Besides, there is no cut quality grade for radiant-cut diamonds from the GIA or any other gem lab.
Therefore, you’ll have to assess it yourself.
In all, it’s on you to pick the diamond that has the best sparkle. Hopefully, it gets easier with the advice and recommendations in this article.
-
Shape Appeal
Similar to other elegant gem cuts, radiant-cut diamonds get their appeal primarily from their cut style.
You have to get the corners right. They must be evenly shortened. Stay away from outlines with excessively truncated edges. This is to avoid them looking off-shape.
-
Length-to-Width Ratio
Radiant-cut diamonds are available in a vast array of length-to-width ratios (L/W). So, it is now a matter of what you prefer.
However, most ring lovers want a L/W of 1.15 to 1.35 for extended shapes or under 1.05 for square radiants.
-
Bowtie Effect
This situation is not unique to any ring cut. It is the same with pears, ovals, and marquise-cut diamonds.
Radiant-cut diamonds too have a bowtie part. It comes as a dark band cutting through the center of the gemstone.
When the diamonds are not cut well, it reveals a dark bowtie. However, when you see a well-cut radiant, it still possesses that unique sparkle all around the stone. Ensure you take a close look at this section of the diamond. Be sure that it glitters perfectly.
Note that radiant-cut diamond rings with a large bowtie portion do not sparkle. That is certainly not worth your cash.
Regardless, you should still try to select a gemstone with a bowtie that isn’t dark.
-
Depth and Table
Constraining the whole depth percentage and table ranges will bring out the best from your radiant-cut rings. Although, this won’t remove all poor performers. The best it can do is to streamline your search to only the best out there.
If you must get the best quality, restrict your search to diamonds with a depth of 61-67% Also, go for a table of 61-69%.
-
Clarity Grade
Do you want to get the best diamonds out there? That means you wish to pay only for the best cut. In that case, go for the least clarity grade without affecting the diamond’s look negatively.
However, there is a problem with the powerful brilliance or light refraction of radiant-cut diamonds. Due to these, inclusions in a low clarity grade are difficult to notice.
Our Recommendations: You can get eye-clean radiant-cut diamond rings in SI1 and SI2 clarity grades. But, for a tight budget, considerI1 diamonds as well. Although, you might not like that there might be limited options available.
-
Color Grade
Radiant-cut rings display more color compared to round brilliants. Nevertheless, an H or I color radiant will look white when placed in an engagement ring. Try J and K color diamonds. They appear stunning also.
Lower color grades always come out excellently for setting the diamond in yellow or rose gold. Remember that the color of the metal reveals itself in the diamond nonetheless. Therefore, the top color grades (D-F) will also give out a minor color in these settings.
Meanwhile, a whiter color grade is still an option. But, you’ll spend more for a difference that you’ll maybe never notice at all.
Why Radiant-Cut Rings?
The truth remains that radiant-cut rings come with numerous perks. These are the advantages they have over other diamond cuts. To decide whether or not this is the cut for you means you must consider these perks.
-
Enhanced Sparkle And Color
Thanks to its enhanced sparkle, a well-cut radiant diamond comes out displaying a excellent diamond color.
-
Additional Facets
Additional facets come in handy in hiding diamond blemishes and inclusions. That helps to boost the overall clarity of these radiant-cut diamond rings.
When measured rightly, radiant-cut diamonds make the most of the diamond carats. They do this by utilizing more of the stone in noticeable ways. They don’t hide unnecessary weight under the exterior of the stone.
-
Durability And Fit For An Active Daily Life
Thanks to the absence of tricky edges like you find in the princess cut, radiant-cut diamonds are highly durable. They are even more convenient for an active day-to-day life.
Pros Of Radiant-Cut Diamond Rings
If you think that’s all about their good side, then you’re wrong. These radiant-cut diamonds mix common cuts like a princess cut and emerald cut. The product of this blend are radiant-cut diamonds.
More so, these radiant-cut diamond rings feature an innate brilliance. There is simply no need for extra elements to sparkle. Although the cut is fierce in its design, yet, it still retains that grand, neat and elegant image. That is probably thanks to its emerald-cut origin.
Furthermore, since this cut comes with defined edges, it gets easier for wearers to rock them in rings. The design of the cut reduces the odds of the diamond chipping and scratching while you have it on.
Cons Of Radiant-Cut Rings
Forget that radiant-cut diamonds possess some of the best diamond features for a moment. On the flip side, there are still cons to this cut.
First, radiant-cut diamonds come with a lot of depth to them. Similarly, they hide most of their weight beneath the diamond. That alone can diminish the sparkle from the diamond.
Therefore, if you prefer that additional shine, you will have to go for a bigger size.
In addition, the deepness of these radiant-cut diamonds again suggests something about the setting of the ring. And that is that the ring must be ready to tolerate the diamond’s weight. That again adds to a rise in the cost.
How to Care Of Radiant-Cut Diamond Rings
According to Lauren Addison, the relevance of caring for your diamond cannot be overstated. Moreover, it all starts with cleaning your diamond ring often. She says, “To break down the inevitable buildup of dirt and oils, I suggest soaking your ring in a simple solution of warm water and liquid soap every few weeks. Gently scrub with a soft-bristled toothbrush, rinse, and pat dry. Avoid abrasive chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners as they’ll do more harm than good.”
Additionally, she recommends that you figure out the right time to take your radiant-cut rings off. Instances include:
- A day on the beach
- While you work out at the gym
- When engaging in tasks like gardening or cleaning.
Radiant-Cut Diamonds In Three Points
- The diagonal measurement that appears on a radiant cut can appear tricky sometimes. This happens mostly when you use your naked eye. It will seem bigger than a round brilliant even when they have the same carat weight.
- In addition, radiant-cut diamonds are more enduring and lasting than other cut. This is thanks to its beveled edges
- Finally, inclusions in low clarity grade radiant-cut diamond rings are difficult to notice. It is possible to get eye-clean diamonds in SI1 and SI2 clarity grades.
Conclusion: Sparkles In Varieties
Overall, radiant-cut diamonds are stunning mixed diamond cuts that maximize sparkle. However, these diamonds still maintain a distinctive square or rectangular shape.
With your knowledge of the outstanding details of this diamond cut, you can get lovely radiant-cut rings for yourself and your spouse. It is a perfect way to relish your special moments.