Lesser-known than more traditional shapes like princess and round, the radiant is truly the underdog of diamond cuts, and we think it deserves more attention. After all, how could anyone ignore that mesmerizing shine?
The radiant cut diamond has more than earned its name. With a unique faceting pattern that gives it exceptional brilliance, a radiant engagement ring is the perfect way to symbolize the rare bond you share with your partner.
Celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston and Drew Barrymore have been seen wearing radiant cuts over the years. More recently, rumors of Cher’s engagement were fueled when she was spotted with a large radiant ring. Radiant diamond rings are loved by many, but the question still remains: Why aren’t they a more popular choice?
We aim to show why a radiant cut engagement ring is the ultimate way to celebrate your unique love story. This guide will take you through the history of the cut, its distinctive structure and how to customize your own Austen & Blake ring.
Behind the radiant cut
To understand the rich symbolism behind the diamond, first let’s look at how the radiant cut came to be.
Extraordinary innovation
The art of diamond cutting was driven by extraordinary innovation in the 20th century. In 1919, Marcel Tolkowsky perfected the round brilliant cut, which inspired lapidaries to experiment with new ways to maximize the reflection of light in natural diamonds.
In 1977, nearly six decades after Tolkowsky’s breakthrough, Henry Grossbard introduced the radiant cut. He combined the traditional profile of an emerald cut with the dazzling shine of a round brilliant, creating a diamond unlike any other.
A symbol of bold beauty
The radiant cut is synonymous with a bold, modern spirit. Its uniqueness stems from its departure from more traditional shapes, making it a true celebration of individuality and a beautiful way to celebrate your love.
“The radiant cut was innovative because it combined step-cut structure with brilliant-cut faceting, often referred to as a ‘brilliantised step cut’. This gave it significantly more fire and brilliance than traditional rectangular cuts”, says Rebecca Bodger, Gemologist at Austen & Blake. “It was also one of the first diamond cuts to be patented, further highlighting its unique design.”
Distinct structure
The unique faceting pattern of a radiant cut ensures the diamond reflects every inch of light. Let’s break down what makes the structure so unique:
Facets: With 70 in total, a radiant cut diamond typically consists of 25 facets on the crown, 8 on the girdle and 37 pavilion, creating a ‘crushed ice’-like shine rather than distinct flashes of light.
Beveled corners: Beveled corners set the radiant cut apart from the sharp 90° corners of a princess cut and the rounded edges of a cushion cut. They also significantly increase the stone’s durability.
Shape & proportion
Beautiful as diamond engagement rings, radiant cut designs require a delicate balance of shape and proportion.
Square radiant: Compact and balanced, square radiants are perfect for halo or three-stone settings, particularly if you’re looking for a symmetrical or boxier appearance.
Rectangular radiant: Slender and elegant, the elongated shape of a rectangular radiant makes the stone appear bigger overall.
“One of the most important factors to consider for a radiant cut is its proportions/ratios and clarity, as this is what can massively impact that sparkle factor”, says Rebecca. “The ideal ratio falls between 1.25 and 1.45, as this creates a well-balanced rectangular shape that is especially flattering, helping to elongate the appearance of the finger.”
Appearance & brilliance
By successfully merging elements from the emerald and round brilliant, Grossbard created a cut that feels contemporary and timeless all at once. A radiant diamond engagement ring is modern and elegant with a touch of vintage glamour, so it’s perfect for brides-to-be who appreciate the best of both.
When evaluating the appearance of a radiant cut diamond, it’s important to work through the 4Cs. We already know the cut, so now let's focus on carat, clarity and color.
“Clarity is a key factor, as the more inclusions a stone has, the less efficiently light can pass through it and reflect off its facets. These inclusions act like tiny barriers within the stone, reducing its brilliance and sparkle. As radiants are renowned for this sparkle, it’s always beneficial to opt for a higher clarity,” says Rebecca. “Color and carat weight can then be balanced depending on personal preference and budget, but ensuring strong proportions and good clarity will give the most visually striking result.”
Check out our diamond guide for a more comprehensive look at the 4Cs.
Choosing your design
Our radiant style engagement rings can be customized to your desired diamond specifications, metal type and band width. This can be done online or during an appointment in one of our showrooms, where your jewelry expert will help you define your design ideas.
Whether you're inspired by a family heirloom, looking to add sentimental touches or creating something entirely new, here are some customization options to consider when looking at radiant cut engagement rings:
Settings
Solitaire: A popular choice, choose a solitaire setting to let the radiant cut’s unique brilliance truly shine on its own.
Halo: To amplify size and fire, consider a halo radiant engagement ring to illuminate the center stone and make it appear bigger.
Hidden halo: Subtle and modern, a halo of diamonds can be placed discreetly beneath the stone so it sparkles from the side.
Trilogy: Incorporate baguette, round or smaller radiant stones to accentuate the geometric shape.
Bezel: Ideal for those with active lifestyles, protect the beveled corners by framing the stone in metal.
“A four-prong setting is commonly recommended, as it securely holds the diamond while showcasing its shape”, explains Rebecca. “For larger or elongated stones, adding a gallery rail is advisable to provide additional support and durability. As a quadrilateral shape, a radiant cut requires a minimum of four prongs for secure setting.”
While the choice of metal is ultimately yours to make, its impact on the ring’s durability, comfort for daily wear and how it naturally complements various skin tones is an important factor.
Our gold radiant cut engagement rings are a popular choice, and can be customized from warm yellow, crisp white or romantic rose to suit your preferred tone. The silvery-white of platinum looks great, too.
So whether you’re searching for a gold radiant engagement ring or the enduring charm of a silver-toned metal, our complete metals guide can help you make your decision.
Truly unique
A radiant diamond shines brightly enough on its own, but we hope to have proved why it truly deserves its moment in the spotlight. Beyond its inherent brilliance, choosing a radiant shape engagement ring will celebrate your love story in a way that feels bold, meaningful and entirely yours.
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Lesser-known than more traditional shapes like princess and round, the radiant is truly the underdog of diamond cuts, and we think it deserves more attention. After all, how could anyone ignore that mesmerizing shine?
The radiant cut diamond has more than earned its name. With a unique faceting pattern that gives it exceptional brilliance, a radiant engagement ring is the perfect way to symbolize the rare bond you share with your partner.
Celebrities such as Jennifer Aniston and Drew Barrymore have been seen wearing radiant cuts over the years. More recently, rumors of Cher’s engagement were fueled when she was spotted with a large radiant ring. Radiant diamond rings are loved by many, but the question still remains: Why aren’t they a more popular choice?
We aim to show why a radiant cut engagement ring is the ultimate way to celebrate your unique love story. This guide will take you through the history of the cut, its distinctive structure and how to customize your own Austen & Blake ring.
Behind the radiant cut
To understand the rich symbolism behind the diamond, first let’s look at how the radiant cut came to be.
Extraordinary innovation
The art of diamond cutting was driven by extraordinary innovation in the 20th century. In 1919, Marcel Tolkowsky perfected the round brilliant cut, which inspired lapidaries to experiment with new ways to maximize the reflection of light in natural diamonds.
In 1977, nearly six decades after Tolkowsky’s breakthrough, Henry Grossbard introduced the radiant cut. He combined the traditional profile of an emerald cut with the dazzling shine of a round brilliant, creating a diamond unlike any other.
A symbol of bold beauty
The radiant cut is synonymous with a bold, modern spirit. Its uniqueness stems from its departure from more traditional shapes, making it a true celebration of individuality and a beautiful way to celebrate your love.
“The radiant cut was innovative because it combined step-cut structure with brilliant-cut faceting, often referred to as a ‘brilliantised step cut’. This gave it significantly more fire and brilliance than traditional rectangular cuts”, says Rebecca Bodger, Gemologist at Austen & Blake. “It was also one of the first diamond cuts to be patented, further highlighting its unique design.”
Distinct structure
The unique faceting pattern of a radiant cut ensures the diamond reflects every inch of light. Let’s break down what makes the structure so unique:
Shape & proportion
Beautiful as diamond engagement rings, radiant cut designs require a delicate balance of shape and proportion.
“One of the most important factors to consider for a radiant cut is its proportions/ratios and clarity, as this is what can massively impact that sparkle factor”, says Rebecca. “The ideal ratio falls between 1.25 and 1.45, as this creates a well-balanced rectangular shape that is especially flattering, helping to elongate the appearance of the finger.”
Appearance & brilliance
By successfully merging elements from the emerald and round brilliant, Grossbard created a cut that feels contemporary and timeless all at once. A radiant diamond engagement ring is modern and elegant with a touch of vintage glamour, so it’s perfect for brides-to-be who appreciate the best of both.
When evaluating the appearance of a radiant cut diamond, it’s important to work through the 4Cs. We already know the cut, so now let's focus on carat, clarity and color.
“Clarity is a key factor, as the more inclusions a stone has, the less efficiently light can pass through it and reflect off its facets. These inclusions act like tiny barriers within the stone, reducing its brilliance and sparkle. As radiants are renowned for this sparkle, it’s always beneficial to opt for a higher clarity,” says Rebecca. “Color and carat weight can then be balanced depending on personal preference and budget, but ensuring strong proportions and good clarity will give the most visually striking result.”
Check out our diamond guide for a more comprehensive look at the 4Cs.
Choosing your design
Our radiant style engagement rings can be customized to your desired diamond specifications, metal type and band width. This can be done online or during an appointment in one of our showrooms, where your jewelry expert will help you define your design ideas.
Whether you're inspired by a family heirloom, looking to add sentimental touches or creating something entirely new, here are some customization options to consider when looking at radiant cut engagement rings:
Settings
“A four-prong setting is commonly recommended, as it securely holds the diamond while showcasing its shape”, explains Rebecca. “For larger or elongated stones, adding a gallery rail is advisable to provide additional support and durability. As a quadrilateral shape, a radiant cut requires a minimum of four prongs for secure setting.”
Metal choices
While the choice of metal is ultimately yours to make, its impact on the ring’s durability, comfort for daily wear and how it naturally complements various skin tones is an important factor.
Our gold radiant cut engagement rings are a popular choice, and can be customized from warm yellow, crisp white or romantic rose to suit your preferred tone. The silvery-white of platinum looks great, too.
So whether you’re searching for a gold radiant engagement ring or the enduring charm of a silver-toned metal, our complete metals guide can help you make your decision.
Truly unique
A radiant diamond shines brightly enough on its own, but we hope to have proved why it truly deserves its moment in the spotlight. Beyond its inherent brilliance, choosing a radiant shape engagement ring will celebrate your love story in a way that feels bold, meaningful and entirely yours.
Shop our radiant cut diamond engagement rings.