Who doesn't love diamonds? Ever since the 11th Century when a diamond first adorned a Hungarian queen's crown, diamonds have been a girl's best friend. Whether it's a solitaire set in rose gold, drop earrings, or a three-stone ring in yellow gold, the brilliance of diamonds makes them a delight to wear.
When it comes to personal preference, there are various features that make someone fall in love with a particular diamond. Some people are attracted to carat weight (size) or brilliance, others the shape. Interestingly, the shape can affect both the size and brilliance - it all comes down to the skill of the diamond cutter in creating the facet pattern.
The shapes bring out distinct features that make them stand out.
There are more diamond shapes than the average jewelry wearer knows. They are:
Each shape has its merits. The round diamond shape is the most popular. Some people love the emerald cut shape with its step cut and classic art deco style. Others may love the Asscher cut, which is also known as a square emerald; it has cropped corners which makes for a beautiful shape. But for those who like something extraordinary, the radiant cut diamond may be for you, particularly if you are looking for a solitaire diamond!
Radiant cut diamonds have exceptional brilliance. The faceting sequence helps the diamond shine with bold intensity and the fire and brilliance are unmatched.
The radiant cut diamond was first designed in 1977 by famed diamond cutter Henry Grossbard. He was a graduate gemologist who focused on diamond cutting. He worked with all kinds of gemstones but his specialty was increasing the value and scintillation of a rough diamond and bringing it to life.
When he designed the radiant shape his intention was to combine the long shape of the emerald cut with the brilliance of the round brilliant cut. The beauty of radiant cut diamonds is a testament to his success.
Fast forward to 2021, and there's a huge uptick in the popularity of radiant cut diamonds, especially in engagement ring settings. This may partially be due to the influence of megastar jewelry wearers. For example, Ben Affleck presented Jennifer Lopez with an engagement ring set with a rare pink radiant cut diamond. Khloe Kardashian's engagement ring has a 12-carat radiant diamond as its center stone.
The proportions of the radiant cut diamond are paramount to its brilliance. Unlike the round brilliant diamond, this shape, along with all the other shapes does not come with a cut grade. This is because there is no consensus on what makes for an ideal shape. There are, however, guidelines as to what makes for the best combination of measurements.
The best measurements for radiant cut diamonds.
Radiants have 70 facets around their crown and pavilion. This helps to greatly enhance its fire and brilliance, making it second only to the round brilliant cut.
Many people might assume that the emerald cut is the only elongated shape and the princess the only square shape. However, the radiant accommodates both features.
The difference between a princess cut and a radiant is the cropped corners. And when it comes to the facet arrangement between an emerald and a radiant cut, the latter is called a brilliant cut as opposed to a step cut.
The radiant cut can be square or elongated. Whether one is better is a matter of personal choice. Typically, the elongated radiant is preferable to most, especially in engagement ring settings.
The square cut generally has more brilliance but they have a smaller surface area than its longer counterpart. The most popular width to length ratio consumers will encounter is 1.00-1.35 millimeters. The ideal is 1.20-1.30mm.
When shopping for a square shape diamond, many people will often assume the princess cut diamond is the premier shape for scintillation and fire. That may be true but the square shape radiant can be just as beautiful and captivating. For example, the name Gemological Institue of America (GIA) gives to radiant cut diamonds is “cut corner square modified brilliant” or “cut-corner rectangular modified brilliant”. This signifies the similarity to the princess shape but with the cut corners.
When diamond cutters are planning on cutting a diamond, they take all factors into consideration. They cut the diamond to maximize its brilliance, color, clarity, and proportions. One major factor to consider when cutting a radiant cut diamond is the measurements. The length-to-width ratio is crucial to how the diamond will look as a final product.
Unless you are buying a piece of jewelry set with pave diamonds which are essentially diamond chippings, the purchase of a diamond is an investment. You should know the basics to get high quality.
If possible, buy a certified diamond. If you want a loose diamond, buy the diamond from a wholesale dealer, not a retail store.
The quality of a diamond is determined by the 4 Cs:
You might add a 5th - certification.
All these will not only influence the final quality of the diamond but also its value and price. Although it may seem to add a technical layer to the process of buying a diamond that assumes a certain level of knowledge, amateur buyers can still engage in judging the gemstone they want to acquire.
The seller will tell you the carat weight and you should have the certificate to prove this.
You may be drawn to a specific cut, in which case, you should know what to look for. You might specifically ask for a radiant cut diamond or you may be undecided and simply hone in on a stone the seller presents to you. Ask for details about the cut. A very good diamond merchant will happily explain the cut quality.
If you want to press the merchant to test quality, display a bit of knowledge and enquire if the loose diamonds under consideration have a culet. Some merchants, like James Allen, include the culet grade in their GIA certification.
The culet is the bottom tip of the diamond. It can be flat or pointed. When set, the culet is usually not visible as it is hidden by the bezel It is the most vulnerable part of the diamond. A diamond must generally have a None to Very Small culet grade to receive an Excellent cut grade.
Diamonds come in a wide range of colors although vastly the most popular and common are white. If you are considering a colored diamond, consider the wider design of the jewelry you want. Will a blue diamond look better in white gold for a solitaire engagement ring, for example? Talk to your seller about color grade.
This is one feature where a buyer can really delve into the process of understanding the quality of their diamond by knowing if their gemstone is eye-clean.
Clarity is a huge factor in a diamond. What "eye clean" refers to is whether you can spot a flaw with your naked eye, without the aid of a jeweler's loupe. For instance, if you cannot find blemishes in your diamond, it is usually more valuable.
The best thing about brilliant-cut diamonds is they hide flaws very well. So many consumers can get away with lower color and clarity grades and still enjoy their diamond as much as a more expensive one.
The proper paperwork and certificate are imperative for grading and assessing a diamond accurately. The premier diamond laboratory is the Gemological Institute of America. The GIA implements only the strictest interpretation when it comes to grading, ensuring confidence in an accurate assessment. Do not buy a diamond without a GIA certificate.
All diamonds are beautiful, but some are more beautiful. When paying for a beautiful jewel, you deserve the best value for money. Choose a reputable diamond merchant and take the time to examine the stone(s) to understand as much as you can about the 4 Cs.
If you buy a rough diamond, the same applies but then you will also need to find a diamond cutter who can produce a high-quality finished stone ready for the setting you desire.
