Radiant cut engagement rings are the perfect choice for someone who wants their center stone to stand out. One of the sparkliest of ring cuts, a radiant diamond shines because it’s cut with many brilliant facets, which easily reflect light. While this stone isn’t as popular as rectangular shapes like emeralds or cushion cuts, it’s still an absolutely wonderful choice for the to-be-wed who want their center stone to always twinkle in the light.
Considering a radiant cut stone to wear for life? Ahead, experts break down everything you need to know about radiant cut engagement rings.
What Is a Radiant Cut Diamond?
A sparkling diamond in a chic rectangular shape, the radiant cut diamond is an easy choice for those who want an extra wow factor in their engagement ring. “When the timeless brilliance of a round diamond met the elegant sophistication of an emerald shape, the radiant cut was born,” says Mahiar Borhanjoo, chief commercial officer and SVP of Polish at De Beers Group. “Created in the mid-1970s by Henry Grossbard, the radiant cut was inspired by a simple yet visionary idea: to bring the captivating sparkle, fire, and life of a round brilliant into a more architectural and contemporary shape.”
He continues, “Grossbard admired the unmatched beauty of the round brilliant cut and sought to reimagine that same emotion within the clean lines of a rectangular and square diamond. The result was revolutionary. A radiant cut diamond is designed with 70 beautifully arranged facets, each acting like a tiny mirror, guiding and reflecting light deep within the stone.”
Balance and proportion are the most important factors of a well-cut radiant diamond. “The finest examples often feature a table percentage between 61% and 69%, a depth ranging from 61% to 67%, and a slightly thicker girdle to enhance durability and presence,” says Borhanjoo.
What Makes a Radiant Cut Special?
The brilliance of a radiant cut is its true special power. “So many people fall in love with emerald cuts on Instagram—until they see one in person and realize they want something with a little more fire. That’s where the radiant cut shines,” shares Kegan Fisher, cofounder of jewelry brand Frank Darling. “The faceting pattern is really what sets radiant cuts apart. Unlike round brilliants or cushion cuts, which produce larger, more distinct flashes of light, radiant cuts are known for their allover sparkle and evenly distributed light and dark contrast—like stars twinkling in the night sky.”
When this diamond is used as the center stone of an engagement ring, it’s quite flattering on the hand and takes up a sizable amount of real estate (especially when in a larger carat). “Thanks to their crisp rectangular shape and brilliant faceting, radiant cut diamonds create a continuous line of light that feels sleek, modern, and incredibly bright,” says Fisher. “Think maximum brilliance with a little extra edge.”
How to Evaluate Radiant Cuts for the 4Cs
The 4Cs is the standard GIA grading scale for diamonds, which grades on cut, color, clarity, and carat size. The rating of the 4Cs combined determines what standards jewelers will price a stone at. It’s often advised to consider important grading factors particular to a stone to get the best bang for your buck. It should be noted that for a radiant stone, cut is not graded, but color, clarity, and carat size are important. Fisher notes that you might want to look for a higher-grade color when it comes to this cut. “Their faceting pattern can concentrate warmth, particularly in the corners, so we often recommend going one color grade higher than you might choose in another shape,” she says.
