Radiant Cut Engagement Rings
Radiant cut diamond rings are as the name suggests are cut to show the diamond stone off to perfection. As the style uses large facets, you need to use a very good quality stone with regards to color and clarity. Any stone that has flaws visible to the naked eye should not be used with this cut but would suit a princess or round brilliant cut instead.
Usually you would mount a radiant cut diamond in a prong setting as a channel or bezel would hide too much of the stone. If set in platinum, these diamonds often dance with even more fire and brilliance. It is usually used for a solitaire or the center diamond in a 3 stone setting. Although associated with colorless diamond engagement rings, it has also been used to great effect with some magnificent yellow diamonds.
You won’t find radiant cut diamond rings in the antique or vintage section of the jewelers as it was only introduced about 40 years ago. The original cut was designed to combine the brilliance associated with a round stone with the emerald cuts elegant shape. Henry Gossbard designed the first of this new style in 1977 inspiring yet another generation to buy square shaped diamond engagement rings. In order to achieve this new cut he had to put his years of experience in cutting diamonds to the test by trying to combine the cutting technique used on round stones with the technique used on emerald shapes. Until his success, previous diamond engagement ring buyers had to decide on either the elegance of the emerald cut or the brilliance of the round cut. Now thanks to Gossbard they can have both.
With a radiant cut, the light enters the diamond from many different angles thus preventing the dark spots common with both the princess and pear diamond cuts. The facets on a diamond are smooth surface areas, the number of which depends on the style of cut. These facets are polished to enhance the brilliance of a diamond. You can buy loose radiant cut diamonds if you want to make your own engagement ring.
When a gemologist first looks at a rough diamond, he is able to see which type of cut will maximize the potential and value of that particular stone. If there are significant flaws that cannot be cut away during the cutting process, the stone will not be used for the demanding radiant, Asscher or emerald cuts.
Diamond legend has it that the princess cut was actually designed by people trying to get around the patent Gossbard had put in place to protect the integrity of his radiant cut. He was so proud of his new style that he didn’t want his name being associated with cuts he considered to be of less quality.
Radiant cut diamond rings over 0.7 carats must come with an authentication certificate otherwise they are not true originals. The patent is fiercely protected and every one sold has a unique radiant cut certificate assigned to it as well as the diamond being laser inscribed with the certificate number.