Radiant cut diamonds are a unique cut of gemstone that is renowned for its extravagant sparkle and combination of two key classic diamond cut styles: the emerald cut and the round cut.
The radiant cut is not one that has been around for very long, nor is it one that has had an official classification granted to it, but it remains a very popular cut style with a significant impact on gem culture.
Let’s take a closer look at exactly what a radiant cut diamond is before diving into the qualities that make it special, and the best stone color and clarity grades for this particular style.
What Is A Radiant Cut Diamond?
Radiant cut diamonds, also known as cut-cornered rectangular and square-modified brilliant cut diamonds, are unique as they have an octagonal shape and cropped corners that make them look very similar to an emerald cut stone.
In sharp contrast, the facets of this gem cut give it the brilliance that is often only seen in softer, round-cut gems. This was done with great purpose and care by master diamond cutter Henry Grossbard who was responsible for originally designing the cut.
To give the cut its brilliance, Grossbard totaled the cut style with seventy different facets, which is significantly more than the average number of facets which stands at approximately fifty-eight facets.
What Makes A Radiant Cut Diamond Special?
Radiant-cut diamonds are so special because they are able to combine all of the beauty of emerald-cut diamonds with the softer nature of round-cut diamonds. This combination results in a hypnotizingly sparkling stone.
Radiant cut diamonds have become incredibly popular in a wide variety of jewelry options, but most significantly, they are well-loved for engagement rings.
Further, they can be cut in several different ratios with the most common being 1.25 for traditional pieces. For square-cut gems, the ratio sits at 1.00-1.05 and for rectangular cuts, 1.20-1.40.
What Color Stones Are Best For A Radiant Cut?
The best color for a radiant cut gem will entirely depend on the specific preferences of the individual buyer. The radiant cut is very flexible with gem colors and can accommodate, highlight, and maximize the potential for just about any diamond color rating.
If you have extra money to spend and prefer a colorless stone, those rated between D and F may be preferred. If your budget is a bit tighter, but you still prefer the colorless appearance, those gems rated G-J may have a very similar, almost indistinguishable appearance.
Additionally, the radiant cut is also very well suited to fancy colored diamonds as the unique facets of this cut only enhance the color tones of each diamond.
What Clarity Rating Is Ideal For Radiant Cut Diamonds?
Similarly to color choice, clarity in a diamond for a radiant cut is also dependent on the purchaser’s preferences.
The better the clarity rating a stone has, the better it will shine with a radiant cut. Alternatively, because of how many cuts and facets a radiant-cut stone contains, a more cloudy, flawed diamond may appear more flawless and beautiful as the many facets work to disguise the imperfections by granting them more places to hide within the stone.
Key Takeaways
Radiant cut diamonds are an excellent choice for a number of reasons, They have excellent sparkle, and the cut style can flatter just about any stone.
If you’re interested in radiant cut diamonds and want to learn more, reach out to one of our experts today!