Everything You Should Know about Radiant Cut Diamond Ring

Often confused with a princess cut, a radiant diamond ring is a square or rectangular shaped beauty that features a brilliantly cut facet. Cropped around the corners, this modern diamond cut gives you all the dazzle without the fuss. A well-cut radiant diamond holds exceptional color and flair compared to a stone having a simpler cut. 

Radiant Diamond Ring – What is it?

A radiant diamond cut is a hybrid shape. Featuring anywhere between 53 to 70 facets, there’s more sparkle to this cut than any other. Since it helps conceal imperfections without the delicate corners, this style is a lot more popular compared to the princess cut. It is proportioned equally from all sides, improves clarity and maximizes carat weight without compromising the structural integrity of the centre stone. 

Learn the jargon first. 

What is diamond fire?

A radiant cut diamond enhances ‘diamond fire’. To understand this better, imagine the color of a diamond like a brilliant flame. The virtual facets of a radiant cut add more dazzle to a diamond’s shine. While round cuts offer the best brilliance with 58 symmetrical facets, a radiant cut is a better alternative. Talk to us about brilliance, and we have experts who will help you find the right cut for your diamond. 

Radiant diamond cuts were popular back in the 1980s, popular for their prismatic effect that added more fire to a centrepiece. To achieve this, the cut needs to be precise with a flat top surface, and a higher depth that reaches into a sharp bottom end. The best radiant cuts are rectangular in shape that looks great as a solitaire, and embedded in multi-layered rings. Many couples first acquire a loose diamond and have it shaped into a radiant cut by an expert. But you will need to consider the carat weight before you begin designing your engagement ring. 

What’s special about radiant cut diamonds?

Let’s talk about the shape. 

Radiant diamond cuts shouldn’t have an overly diminished outline but there are diverse preferences. From a traditional rectangle to perfectly squared cuts owing to its multifaceted design. When you’re looking for brilliance, radiant cut diamonds are your best choice especially if you’re on a budget. You want clean lines along the pavilion and extra facets giving it a ‘crushed ice’ appearance. A radiant cut diamond’s shape is more wearable and has a durable edge making it easy to wear this ring on a daily basis.  

Such cuts have a length to width ratio between 1.20 – 1.35 but when you’re styling your ring into a halo setting, you need a radiant that features a higher length to width ratio. But you can pair a radiant diamond with 14K, 18K, 22K gold (white, yellow or rose) or experiment with platinum bands. Maximize the measurements of this cut and this is independent of carat weight so for a 0.5 carat diamond and 1.5 carat diamond, you can get similar measurements. 

What is a bowtie effect?

Radiant diamond cut is a square cut that looks similar to an emerald cut, layered with 60+ facets and clipped edges. But you need to make sure you don’t get a stone that features a dark bow tie. When a diamond is cut, a dark band that runs along the center of the stone becomes visible to the naked eye. This is the bowtie effect, an imperfection that appears on the face of the diamond. Extreme effects are the result of a badly cut radiant wherein the facets cannot reflect light symmetrically. While cutting a loose diamond into a radiant, an expert diamond cutter will observe which facets can reflect light properly first. 

What settings should I avoid for a radiant diamond ring?

Radiants sit well with a four prong setting but you should avoid bezel setting at all costs. This just doesn’t suit a radiant since it encloses the center stone. It also prevents light from reflecting properly, increases the bow tie and reduces the brilliance of the ring. A bright radiant stone must reflect and retract light significantly. An eight prong setting can also work wonders for this cut but you can always experiment with halo stones for a secure fitting and added brilliance. 

Is it expensive?

Quite the opposite. A pure round cut is the most expensive cut but a radiant involves least bit of reshaping. It is a deeply cut diamond that is larger in size than a round cut which means you get a larger stone within your budget. Radiant cuts are 25 to 30% times cheaper per carat weight than a big sized diamond. For e.g. 1ct G/VS2 radiant diamond can be anywhere between $2K to $8K, a lot less as compared to diamonds having higher clarity or color ratings. 

How do I hide flaws with a radiant diamond?

The best way to hide imperfections in a radiant cut is getting a diamond that has high clarity and color grading along with a small culet. Warm tones of grading G-H blend better with a radiant design when you’re trying to achieve a flawless appearance. The near colorless tone hides away blemishes and other tinges of color. Unlike emerald or asscher cut, a radiant forgives inclusions and hides it from becoming apparent to the naked eye.  

In terms of the clarity scale, you should focus on VVS1 OR VVS2 to eliminate the maximum number of flaws. Good clarity means there are very few inclusions present inside the diamond and as long as it isn’t visible, there’s very little to worry about. A small central culet is essential for a radiant diamond to ensure proper positioning. 

It’s a brilliant cut. 

Both cushion cut and radiant diamond belong to a category known as – brilliant cuts. Such diamonds are perfectly symmetrical with a stunning brilliance that compliments colorful settings. It is a dazzling choice for contemporary brides looking for a modern solitaire or traditional vintage diamonds.