Radiant
Engagement Rings
Radiant engagement rings are one of the few engagement styles that can offer a dazzling and brilliant square shaped diamond. To find out if this is the style you are looking for, use our helpful guide below which includes information on characteristics of the radiant cut, pros and cons, best settings for radiant cut engagement rings and extra shopping tips. Characteristics of the Radiant Cut: The radiant cut is a mixed cut, combining the vivid fire and brilliance of the round brilliant with a square shape and trimmed corners. Master diamond cutter Henry Grossbard created this cut in the mid 1970s, and his efforts to blend the best qualities of the round brilliant and the emerald cut achieved a result of supreme perfection and beauty. Radiant cut diamond engagement rings have a big ‘wow’ factor – even in sizes of less than one carat – and the cut is revered for its amazing degree of intense fire. The cut is very deep, with an average of 70 facets, and it forms an extensive pavilion (the underside of the diamond).
Pros and Cons of Radiant Engagement Rings:Radiant cut engagement rings are only one of two square shaped styles (the other is princess cut engagement rings) which have a high degree of brilliance and fire. If you are looking for a striking first-class engagement ring, this may be the perfect style. Unlike the princess cut, the radiant cut has trimmed, truncated corners – so any risks of the diamond breaking or chipping are greatly reduced. Trimmed corners also mean that the ring will not have a tendency to catch on clothes or hair. Radiant engagement rings also look fantastic in a number of styles because the radiant cut is a very versatile cut – it looks stunning in small or large carat sizes, as a solitaire or combined with side stones. One other big pro is that the radiant cut is a very forgiving cut. This cut will not magnify inclusions, blemishes or color tints in the diamond – instead the cut actually hides small flaws. Because the cut will hide small flaws, couples have a wider choice on the type of diamond they can choose for a radiant cut diamond engagement ring. Recommended diamond grades for this type of cut include: - I and above on the GIA Color Grade scale or a 3.00 and above on the AGS Color Grade scale.
- SI2 and above on the GIA Clarity Grade scale or a 5 and above on the AGS Clarity Grade scale.
One minor con associated with this type of engagement ring style is that because the radiant cut is such a deep cut, a one carat radiant diamond will not look quite as large as a shallower cut diamond – for example, a one carat emerald cut diamond. The biggest con to radiant engagement rings has to do with availability. Only a limited number of jewelry retailers offer a large selection of quality cut radiant diamonds, and it can be difficult to find this type of cut for gemstone engagement rings. Our recommendations for high quality, ethical, eco-friendly and conflict-free radiant engagement rings include: Blue Nile: At Blue Nile you can find an outstanding selection of GIA certified radiant cut diamonds ranging in sizes from less than half a carat to all the way up to almost ten carats! Blue Nile also carries a small selection of natural radiant cut yellow and pink diamonds. Brilliant Earth: Here you can find outstanding GIA certified radiant cut diamonds ranging in sizes from less than half a carat to a little over five carats – and all rings are handmade in the USA from recycled metals. Created Diamonds: This is one of the few companies that produces white (colorless) lab created diamonds which have physical and chemical properties identical to real diamonds, and they have a small selection of white and blue radiant cut lab created diamonds. Diamonds area available loose and will need to be set in a band by a jeweler. Best Settings for Radiant Engagement Rings: The best setting for radiant cut engagement rings is a 4 pronged setting. This type of setting will securely and safely hold the center stone, and it will maximize light access to the stone which will further enhance the brilliance and fire qualities of the ring.
Bezel settings can also be used on engagement rings with radiant cut diamonds, but this type of closed setting will block some of the light – and the brilliance and fire of the center stone may be slightly affected. Shopping Tips and Precautions: The original patent for Henry Grossbard’s radiant cut has expired, and now it is possible to find ring styles and diamonds labeled as ‘radiant cut’ which do not truly reflect the beauty of the original radiant cut. To make sure that you are buying a real radiant cut, and not just a poor imitation, shop wisely: - Look for radiant cut rings through jewelers who provide certificates from reputable laboratories – such as the GIA or AGS - on all of their diamond pieces.
- If a certificate from another laboratory is offered, use caution. Research the laboratory before you buy to make sure the lab is reputable and legitimate.
- Keep in mind that the original radiant cut has 70 facets and trimmed corners.
True radiant cuts are available in square to rectangular sizes. A square radiant diamond will have a length-to-width ratio of 1.0. When the length-to-width ratio is higher than 1.0 the radiant diamond begins to take on a more rectangular shape – a diamond with a 1.2 length-to-width ratio is slightly rectangular while a diamond with a 1.5 length-to-width ratio is very rectangular. If you are shopping online for a ring, keep the length-to-width ratios in mind if you are searching for a radiant cut ring that holds a diamond which is either more square or more rectangular in shape. Last but not least, always shop through retailers who offer at least a 30-day no-nonsense return policy with the purchase of your radiant engagement ring.
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