Diamonds come in all shapes and sizes, which makes choosing the right one even more difficult. We have put together this brief guide on radiant cut diamonds to help you understand the qualities of this particular cut. We will cover the following topics:
A radiant cut diamond (called a ‘square or rectangular modified brilliant cut’ by laboratories such as the GIA, HRD or IGI) has an eight-sided outline and is typically square or rectangular in shape with cut corners. The diamond cutting style was patented back in the late 1970s by Henry Grossbard, but others have since replicated the style after the patent lapsed.
The radiant cut can be generally thought of as a hybrid shape — a cross between an emerald cut and a round brilliant. It is a mix of step cut facets on the crown and brilliant cut facets on the pavilion. However, unlike the emerald cut, which favours diamonds of exceptional quality, a radiant cut loose diamond can be more forgiving of any inclusions due to its stunning brilliance.
There are three important aspects to keep in mind when buying a radiant cut loose diamond: its proportions, colour and clarity.
Unlike the round brilliant diamond, the GIA certificate does not list a cut grade for a radiant diamond cut. This is because radiant diamonds have many non-standardised facet structures and there can be a wide range of proportions they can be cut to.
Due to the lack of cut information provided by lab experts, inexperienced buyers may find it more difficult to pick out a radiant cut with a strong light return.
However, there are guidelines you can follow. For example, it is important to look for a diamond with a centred culet (the small, pointed area where the facets of the diamond meet at the bottom of the pavilion) and parallel sides. You should try to avoid a diamond that has uneven corners, i.e., either too wide or too narrow.
A radiant cut diamond tends to accentuate the diamond’s colour due to its facet arrangement trapping more colour. That is why so many fancy coloured diamonds are cut into radiants.
If you are thinking of investing in a colourless radiant cut diamond, it is recommended that you aim for a slightly higher colour range than you would if you were buying a round brilliant diamond, for example. While well-cut round brilliant diamonds tend to conceal the colour, radiants do the opposite. Stay in the upper near colourless range (G to H) or above (D-E-F) to find a radiant that looks white.
As mentioned above, one of the benefits that radiant cut diamonds offer over emerald cuts is that they tend to conceal inclusions better. The small, fast scintillation patterns of radiant cuts tend to make small inclusions much more difficult to see. It is therefore possible to find lower clarity radiant cuts at significant savings.
Some radiant cut diamonds also have a unique ‘crushed ice’ look, where the centre looks like shattered glass or ice. These diamonds are even better for concealing internal inclusions. But, it is important to consult a diamond specialist before buying this kind of diamond as they do not have the best reputation in the diamond world and may be difficult to sell.
BNT Diamonds buys diamonds straight from the source to offer you the best quality diamonds at the best price. In addition, all our diamonds have passed through a renowned certification agency, such as GIA or HRD.
If you are interested in buying diamonds as a value investment, contact our expert team by email or call directly on +32 3 201 24 90.
