The Tamesis
A mine cut engagement ring is the perfect choice for those who want their center stone to stand out. One of the most dazzling ring cuts, a radiant diamond shines brightly because it has many bright facets that easily reflect light. Although this stone is not as Rectangular shapes such as emerald or cushion cuts are very popular and remain an absolutely fantastic choice for brides-to-be who want their center stone to always sparkle in the light.
Thinking about wearing mine cut gemstones for life? Ahead, experts break down everything you need to know about radiant cut engagement rings.
What is a radiant cut diamond?
A radiant cut diamond in a chic rectangular shape, the radiant cut diamond is an easy choice for those looking to add that extra wow factor to their engagement ring. “When the timeless brilliance of a round diamond meets the elegance and sophistication of an emerald shape, the radiant cut is born,” said Mahiar Borhanjoo, chief commercial officer and senior vice president of polishing at De Beers Group. “Created by Henry Grossbard in the mid-1970s, the radiant cut was inspired by a simple yet visionary idea: to incorporate the mesmerizing brilliance, fire and life of round brilliant diamonds into a more architectural and contemporary shape.”
He continued, “Grossbard admired the unparalleled beauty of the round brilliant cut and sought to reimagine that same emotion in the clean lines of baguette and square diamonds. The result is revolutionary. The radiant cut diamond is designed with 70 beautifully arranged facets, each like a small mirror, guiding and reflecting light from deep within the stone.”
Balance and proportion are the most important factors in a well-cut diamond. “The best examples typically have a tabletop percentage between 61 and 69 percent, a depth between 61 and 67 percent, and a slightly thicker girth for enhanced durability and appearance,” says Borhanjoo.
What’s so special about the radiant cut?
The brilliance of the radiant cut is its true special strength. “A lot of people fall in love with emerald cuts on Instagram until they see an emerald cut in person and realize they want something a little more sparkly. That’s where the radiant cut shines,” shares Kegan Fisher, co-founder of jewelry brand Frank Darling. “The facet pattern really sets the radiant cut apart. A round brilliant or cushion cut creates a larger, more defined sparkle, while the radiant cut is known for its overall sparkle and evenly distributed contrast of light and dark, like twinkling stars in the night sky.”
When this diamond is used as the center stone of an engagement ring, it looks great on the hand and takes up quite a bit of space (especially when the carat is larger). “Because of its clear rectangular shape and brilliant facets, the radiant cut diamond creates a continuous line of light that feels sleek, modern and incredibly luminous,” says Fisher. “Think maximum shine and a little extra edge.”
How to evaluate the 4C standards of radiant cutting
The 4Cs are GIA’s standard grading scale for diamonds, which are graded based on cut, color, clarity and carat size. The comprehensive rating of the 4Cs determines the standard by which jewelers price gemstones. It is often recommended to consider important grading factors unique to the gemstone to obtain the best value for money. It should be noted that with laser gemstones, cut is not graded, but color, clarity, and carat size are important. Fisher notes that you may want to look for higher grades of color in this cut. “Their faceted pattern can concentrate warmth, especially in the corners, so we often recommend choosing a higher color grade than another shape,” she says.
