A radiant cut diamond is loved for its distinctive rectangular (but sometimes square) shape and brilliant faceting patterns. Combining the elegance of emerald cuts with the brilliance of rounds, radiant cut diamonds have it all.

Like an emerald cut diamond, radiant cut diamonds have straight sides and cropped corners, making them (technically), an octagon. But unlike the emerald cut, which features 57 step cut facets cut parallel to each other to create the hall of mirrors that emeralds are known for, radiant cuts feature 70 horizontal and vertical facets. These facets are cut in a way that allows the diamond to reflect light in all directions, which means that radiant cut diamonds are incredibly brilliant. The result is a stone that sparkles like crazy and looks great from every angle.

As for what a radiant cut diamond is not: it is not an emerald cut because of the difference in faceting style and pattern. It is also not a rectangular version of a princess cut, due to the radiant's cropped corners and the princess cut's sharp and pointed corners.

Radiants and cushions can get confused a good portion of the time thanks to their similarities in shape and mixed-faceting patterns. The difference lies within their lines. Cushions employ soft sides and curved corners while radiants are all about crisp, clean lines. What's more, cushion cut diamonds are a more colorful rainbow flash while radiants are all about the hot, bright, white light.

Overall, it's a stunning, fiery diamond that's perfect for any occasion, whether you're looking for a stunning engagement ring, chic pair of stud earrings, or an unparalleled pendant necklace.

You're in luck, because radiant cut diamonds are one of the more affordable diamond shapes available thanks to their economical shape and current market demand.

But why? First and foremost, because of their unique rectangular or square shape, radiant cut diamonds retain more of the rough diamond during the cutting process, resulting in less waste and therefore more affordable prices.

Additionally, there isn't as large of a demand for radiant cut diamonds as there is for other shapes. In fact, only 2% of diamonds sold today are radiant cuts.

The cost of any diamond can vary depending on factors like cut quality, color grade, clarity, and carat weight. A larger or higher-quality radiant cut diamond may still carry a higher price tag, but a radiant cut diamond per se often offers great value for your hard-earned cash. When you shop smart and know which of the Four Cs to prioritize, you can easily find your perfect affordable radiant cut diamond.

Radiant cut diamonds are a bit of a conundrum when it comes to size. When compared directly with round brilliant diamonds, they are usually only about 4% smaller. But here's where things get interesting, my trendsetting friend. Thanks to the visual trickery of their diagonal measurement, radiant cut diamonds can actually appear larger than that same round brilliant. It's like a visual magic trick that will leave you saying, "Abracadabra, where did all that extra size come from?"

Essentially, the radiant cut diamond's shape plays a clever game with our perception of size. You see, the radiant cut features trimmed corners and a rectangular or square shape. This elongated silhouette creates an illusion of greater size, as it covers more surface area compared to a round diamond with the same carat weight. So while the face-up size of a radiant cut may be smaller than a round brilliant, it can still appear to be larger.

And hey, we get it-when it comes to diamonds, size can matter. That's why it's important to understand the distinction between carat weight and the visual size of your diamond, because, no-these two measurements won't always be the same.

A diamond's carat weight is a measurement of the diamond's mass, aka its weight. Meanwhile, a diamond's visual size is the size of the diamond as it appears to the naked eye. So while a one carat diamond may be larger than a 0.90 carat diamond, it doesn't mean that the one carat diamond will always look bigger. In fact, there are many factors that can affect how your diamond appears to you and others around you.

The best way to ensure that you're getting the most sparkle for your buck is to look at the diamond in person, and compare it side-by-side with other diamonds of similar size and quality. This will give you a better idea of how your diamond will look when it's set into a ring or other piece of jewelry. Have a radiant cut diamond in mind that you're just dying to see in person? Reach out! Our diamond concierge can help source radiant diamonds that dazzle in sizes that are juuuuust right.

A radiant cut diamond will definitely bring more sparkle than an emerald cut diamond. But, while a radiant cut diamond will outshine an emerald cut diamond in the sparkle department, it usually plays second fiddle to the round brilliant cut diamond.

The cut of a diamond is what gives it its sparkle. And, when it comes to sparkle, the round brilliant cut diamond is king because round brilliants were created solely to sparkle the most. Their cut is based on a mathematical formula, devised by Marcel Tolkowsky, to achieve the maximum amount of brilliance possible. So it makes sense that neither similarly graded radiants nor emerald cut diamonds could outshine a round brilliant.

But when it comes down to comparing the sparkle factor of radiant cut diamonds and emerald cut diamonds, there's a clear winner. Radiant cut diamonds have more sparkle than emerald cuts because a radiant cut is a modified brilliant cut, which means that it has facets on the top and bottom of the stone. This allows light to enter from all angles and reflect out through the top of the diamond, creating lots of lush and vibrant sparkle.

Sometimes, the facets of a radiant cut diamond will be cut more irregularly and smaller than normal. The result is a crushed ice radiant cut, which has intense sparkle.

And whether you compare a brilliant radiant cut or a crushed ice radiant cut, they'll both be more sparkly than the emerald cut. Unlike radiant cuts, emerald cut diamonds are celebrated for their glamorous hall-of-mirrors-like glimmers. And while they may not have the sparkle of a radiant cut, they have a unique beauty all their own.

The cost of a 2 carat radiant cut diamond can be anywhere between $1,200 and $78,000. It's a pretty wide range, and here's why...

Natural diamonds, forged through millions of years under the earth's pressure, will always come with a premium price tag. Rarity and scarcity come at a cost.

On the other hand, lab grown diamonds are produced at scale just a matter of weeks. They are chemically and physically identical to their natural counterparts, and due to their abundance, they have a much lower price tag than natural diamonds.

Then there are the Four Cs: carat weight, cut grade, color grade, and clarity grade. If you find a 2 carat radiant cut masterpiece that checks all the boxes in the 4C department, it will be more valuable and much more costly. But you don't need perfection in every category. It's all about finding that perfect balance that suits your style and budget. So, definitely do your research and understand your preferences.

Additionally, market demand, diamond fluorescence, and sneaky pricing strategies used by retailers can all influence the final price tag. But fear not, because Frank Darling specializes in working with your budget to find the radiant cut diamond for you.