What is a Radiant Cut Diamond? History, Pros & Cons

One of the most visually stunning, yet different styles of cut, the radiant cut diamond is truly a magnificent piece.

It may not be for everybody, but nobody can deny the craftsmanship and perfection that is involved in this stunning cut.

Having a radiant cut diamond will set your jewellery out from the normal for a truly special piece.

What Is A Radiant Cut Diamond?

A radiant cut diamond is a particular kind of cut including 70 facets on the crown and pavilion. Interestingly, 70 facets is the highest number of facets on any diamond cut available.

Some shapes like a heart shape may be slightly more complex to cut, but radiant remains an extremely challenging cut as well as one of the most reflective or “sparking” diamond cuts available.

It is important to note that when referring to a radiant cut, the gems involved can only be in a square or rectangle in shape. The round brilliant cuts may seem similar but only have 58 facets compared to the radiant diamond’s 70.

What Is The Origin And History Of Radiant Cut Diamonds?

First made in 1977 in New York by the master gem cutter, Henry Grossbard, the radiant cut was not an immediate success.

It may have taken a few years to catch on to the general market, but when it did catch on, it exploded.

The 1980s saw the rise of the brilliant cuts, and the radiant cut took centre stage. Being an extremely hard cutting style for any jeweller to accomplish, it was an uncommon but extremely sought-after cutting style at the time. They have remained popular to this day.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Radiant Cut Diamonds?

The general thought is that radiant diamonds have more positive sides than negative, as they are a great stone for a ring. To help you decide if a radiant diamond is your best choice, let’s look at the positive and negative sides of these shaped gems.

Positive:

• Intensity – With 70 facets, the radiant diamond has the ability to shine and sparkle like no other cut. The true beauty of a radiant diamond will become apparent when held in sunlight. There is just no other diamond cut that can reflect light like the radiant cut diamond can.
• Versatility – With the increased number of cuts comes remarkably smoother edges. A radiant cut diamond will not easily scratch you, hook on clothing or hair, making it extremely versatile for any jewellery.
• Durability – We don’t often worry about diamond’s durability, as it is the hardest natural mineral known to man. Certain cuts have the ability to promote cracks or flaws in the stone as they create high tension or weaker spots. With a radiant diamond, this is not a worry. The manner of cut allows it to stay solid and durable throughout its entire life.
• Cost – The radiant cut in itself is not cheap to perform, but it does make the best use of the material available. Radiant cut diamonds will leave you with more of the original stone than almost any other cut, meaning less initial diamond cost for your chosen size.
• Flaws – The sheer amount of facets tends to hide flaws better than any other cut, allowing for a lower quality of diamond to produce a great end result.

Negative:

• Colour – A radiant cut tends to really exaggerate and enhance the colour of a diamond. This is fantastic if you have a perfectly coloured stone but can be undesirable if the colouration is not perfect.
• Size – Being a square or rectangular base, along with the seemingly sloping cuts. Radiant diamonds when viewed from above have a slight optical illusion which tends to make them seem smaller than what they actually are when compared to a round cut. This means that size is an important factor when considering a radiant cut.
• Flaws – When buying a precut radiant diamond, finding flaws will be more difficult. Be sure to have the gem properly evaluated to ensure that you are getting what you are paying for.

How To Measure And Select A Radiant Cut Diamond

When selecting a radiant diamond that will be best for your application, there are three key factors to take into consideration.

• Ratio – Radiant diamonds in a rectangular format are often measured using a length to width ratio. A ratio of 1.20 to 1.30 is usually considered to be perfect for the rectangle, however, there is a large aspect of personal preference here. Go for what looks best in your setting, even if it does not abide by the perfect ratio.
• Colour – Colour is critical with radiant diamond, as any imperfections in the colouration of the gem will be enhanced in the final product.
• Internal flaws – Internal flaws are often less important in radiant cut diamonds, as the facets can hide a lot of the flaws. If buying a precut stone, be sure to have it properly checked, as flaws will be difficult to distinguish.

What are the best ring settings for Radiant Cut Diamonds?

A radiant cut diamond can look stunning in any setting, however, there is one key aspect to consider when choosing the best ring setting for a radiant diamond. Radiant diamonds prefer to have a much more open setting to allow for the light to better reflect, giving you the trademark radiant sparkle. Having a more protective or closed diamond setting will negatively impact on the light’s ability to reflect, leaving you with a less vibrant final product.

How Much Are Radiant Cut Diamonds?

Radiant cut diamond’s particular shaping makes better use of the original stone, meaning less waste. The purchase of the stone itself is typically the most costly part of the process, making them cheaper per carat than any other type of diamond cut.

Radiant cuts are one of the most effective cuts to get as much stone as possible for your money. When looking at pre-cut stones, radiant diamonds are usually about 20% cheaper than the round cut counterparts for the same final carat.

What Does A Radiant Cut Diamond Say About You?

A radiant cut is about as vibrant as diamond cuts get, signifying an outgoing and extroverted personality. Another key point is the classy nature of radiant cuts, which point towards a charming individual.

How Popular Are Radiant Cut Diamonds In The Us And Around The World?

Radiant cuts tend to hold the same standing in the US as they do in the rest of the world, they are quite rare. It is not impossible to find a radiant cut, but they are nowhere near as common as other cut styles.

Finding a fantastic quality radiant cut diamond won’t be as easy as it is with other cuts and will require a fair amount of searching to find the perfect stone.

Comparing Radiant Cut Diamonds Vs Other Diamond Cuts

Radiant cut diamonds are not for everybody and certainly are not the most popular cut of this sparkling stone.

When compared to other cuts, there is no denying the vibrancy and brilliance of a radiant diamond, as it has the most facets of any diamond cut. There isn’t another cut quite like the radiant cut.