Radiant Cut Lab Grown Engagement Rings

Clean lines, full sparkle

A radiant has the trimmed corners and straight sides of an emerald cut, but its facets are brilliant style, not step cut. The result is a rectangular or square stone that sparkles hard, with a crushed ice look in the middle. It is a good choice if you like the geometry of an emerald cut but want more fire, or if you want a square stone without the sharp corners of a princess.

Square or elongated

Radiants come in a wide range of ratios, and the ratio changes the whole feel of the ring.

Elongated radiants look bigger for their weight and slim the finger. Square radiants have a stronger, more graphic presence. Try both if you can.

What to check

Depth

Radiants are often cut deep. A depth of roughly 60 to 70 percent keeps the stone bright without wasting weight underneath. A very deep radiant can look smaller than its carat weight suggests, so compare measurements across the top, not only the carats.

Even sparkle

Look for sparkle spread across the whole face. Some radiants show a dark patch in the middle or a faint bow tie in elongated shapes. Tilt the stone under the light and see whether it stays lively all over.

The corners

The cut corners should be even on all four sides. They make the radiant a durable shape, since there are no points to chip.

Color and clarity

The brilliant faceting is good at hiding small inclusions, so VS2 and many SI1 radiants are eye clean. Color can show a little at the corners. For white gold or platinum, G or H is a comfortable choice. Radiants also look striking in yellow gold, where a slightly warmer stone blends in nicely.

Settings for a radiant

Every setting on this page can be made with a radiant center. Good matches include:

• A four prong solitaire with claw prongs on the corners.
• A hidden halo, which adds side sparkle and keeps the top clean.
• Three stone with trapezoid, baguette or small radiant side stones.
• A thin pavé band, to carry the sparkle down the finger.

At your viewing

Put a radiant next to an emerald cut and a cushion of the same weight. You will see three very different personalities from similar outlines. Then try two or three ratios on your hand and look from a little distance. The right one usually stands out fast.

Learn how the radiant compares with other shapes in our shapes guide, and what the grades mean in the 4Cs guide. Use the loose diamond request to have radiants ready, then book a viewing at 30 West 47th St, Suite 805, or call (732) 581-7932.