Looking for a brilliant stone to take center stage in your engagement ring, or just looking for a unique stone for your engagement ring? You should check out radiant-shaped engagement rings! Radiant-shaped stones were first designed in 1977 by Henry Grossbard. They combine the unique silhouette of emerald-cut stones with the brilliance of round diamonds thanks to their dozens of facets.

Grossbard's design resulted in an exquisite, brilliantly sparkly stone that shines glamorously atop an engagement ring. The 70 facets within a radiant cut diamond produce a crushed ice look, which give bright fire and brilliance.

The radiant diamond became wildly popular in the 80s when sparkly diamonds became trendy, but its popularity has persevered to this day. Some notable celebrities such as Drew Barrymore, Megan Fox, and Hilary Duff have rocked radiant-cut diamond engagement rings.

The Pros of Choosing a Radiant

Ever since the creation of the first wedding and engagement rings, the use of gold and durable diamonds have symbolized ever-lasting love. Radiant diamonds are no less symbolic than other diamonds, and they bring the bling game to a whole new level. Such a center diamond catches light and creates a sparkle that is show-stoppingly beautiful. Though radiant diamonds are sometimes mistaken for princess cut diamonds, they contain 12 more facets (which makes them even more brilliant), and have an elongated look.

Interestingly, the brilliance of such diamonds allows them to mask imperfections and blemishes within the diamond. Radiant cut diamonds have a crushed ice look that makes it possible for SI2 radiants to look completely blemish-free to the eye! 

Radiant-cut diamonds look stunning all on their own, basking in the spotlight, or gorgeously paired with two side stones on either side for a symmetrical look. Luckily, radiant diamonds are versatile and look beautiful both in vintage and modern setting styles.

Radiants have rounded corners, which increases their durability. The radiant cut is special from the princess and emerald cuts, as their corners are less likely to chip because they are beveled.

Additionally, radiants tend to run a bit less expensive because most of the rough diamond is used during the cutting process. Radiant diamonds are anywhere between 10-30% cheaper than other diamonds thanks to most of the rough stone being used in the cut.

Radiant diamonds are not as purchased as other cuts: only 2% of diamonds sold are radiants! But, this helps lower the cost when looking to buy a radiant stone engagement ring.

When Buying a Radiant Diamond Ring...

It's important to note that the radiant has an elongated look. It is up to your personal preference whether you opt for a rectangular rather than more square radiant cut. To achieve maximum 'WOW' factor, go for a larger carat weight!

Occasionally, high quality radiant diamonds can be hard to find. In such cases, moissanite radiant cuts are a great alternative. And, when looking for the perfect engagement ring, be sure to keep your partner's personal style in mind. Some factors to keep in mind when looking for The One include the type of metal, ring size, style, and desired stone weight.

Trending Radiant Engagement Rings

When it comes to choosing the perfect radiant engagement ring, it's all about you (or your partner's) personal style, and what they would love to wear on their hand on a day to day basis! Luckily, the radiant diamond is highly versatile and looks great in a variety of different settings. We'll walk you through some gorgeous setting options that look stunning when topped with radiant-cut diamonds. From pave, low profile solitaires, boho-style settings, to decorative side stones, radiants shine bright in any setting they're placed in.

Pave Alex

The Pave Alex features a stunning pave band with a lovely hidden halo. The center stone sits tall above the pave-encrusted band. The sparkle factor of this style is undeniable; the ring shines from every corner thanks to its brilliant radiant center stone, pave band, and diamond-hugging hidden halo. The scintillation viewed from when the ring moves is breathtaking.

Kamellie

The Low Profile Kamellie features the classic solid gold look that has been making waves in 2023 wedding trends. The ring is incredibly well-designed, keeping in mind the importance of profile height for working hands. It's sleek, elegant, and gives the radiant all the attention it so deserves.

Penelope

The Penelope is a crowd-pleaser, a unique style that features three round brilliant accent stones that frame either side of the center radiant diamond. This exquisite design is dainty and minimalist-perfect for the modern bride.

Twig

The Twig is inspired by nature and thus has a boho vibe. Its intertwining branches represent a growing family, which is beautifully decorated with a couple small round brilliant stones that add subtle sparkle. The delicate design makes the radiant center diamond stand out, and the small sparkly accents elevate the brilliance of the radiant stone.

Diamond or Moissanite?

The choice you make for your center stone is important, because it will be front and center on your ring and you will (hopefully) see it everyday! The most popular choices include natural or lab diamonds, or moissanites. Here are some differences between the three that will help you make your pick:

In terms of cost, natural mined diamonds tend to be significantly more expensive than lab diamonds, after which come moissanite stones. If you have certain parameters you'd like for your center stone regarding carat weight, color, clarity and cut quality, moissanites can allow you to maximize on those factors without breaking the bank. Moissanites have long been used as an alternative to diamonds in engagement rings, because they are the closest to diamond in hardness: they come at 9.5 versus 10 for diamonds on the Mohs hardness scale.

While moissanites tend to be more brilliant than diamonds, both are usually colorless. More and more couples are choosing lab diamonds, as they are the same as mined diamonds, just at a much more affordable price point! Lab diamonds are a good option if you'd like to choose a diamond while avoiding ethical and conservational issues.

When you choose your center stone, make sure to take the four C's-cut, color, clarity, and carat-into consideration. Most radiant cuts are more rectangular than square-shaped. If you go for a squarer radiant, you'll get more brilliance and sparkle. If you choose a longer radiant, you'll get more fire, and the stone may seem larger to the eye. Elongated stones typically slim the hand, which is a very flattering look.

The brilliance of radiant stones makes it possible not to spend the bulk of your budget on color.  Go for at least H color grade to ensure your stone is colorless. The many facets of the radiant make its brilliance so great that it hides any color or blemishes. The shininess of the radiant cut makes it possible to mask any inclusions, letting you save money when it comes to stone clarity.

Here's the best part: Radiant diamonds look larger per carat than a round diamond in the same size. So you get a bigger looking stone for a smaller price!

Comparing Radiant Diamonds to Other Shapes

Radiant Cut Engagement Rings
(Photo : Radiant Cut Engagement Rings)

Did you know? Radiant and princess cuts come in both rectangular and square shapes! Unlike the princess, the radiant has beveled corners, which makes it more durable and prevents chipping. The radiant may be the safer option, especially if you (or your partner) works with their hands.

A radiant diamond will look bigger than a princess diamond of equal carat weight. That's because the radiant cut has a more elongated structure, which makes it appear larger. Princess cut diamonds have slightly different proportions-as their table is usually larger.

A similar stone that is actually drastically different in look is the emerald, which is a rectangle stone with between 50 to 58 facets. The emerald offers a classy, elegant look by producing a hall of mirrors effect. In comparison, radiant diamonds have tons of fire and brilliance thanks to their 70 triangle-shaped facets. Although similar in silhouette, the brilliance of the radiant far outweighs that of the emerald cut, due to the difference in facet-cutting technique.

The radiant and emerald diamonds both appear larger than the equivalent size round brilliant, due to the elongated proportions of both stones. Because of its many more facets and irresistible brilliance, the radiant diamond is much better at hiding color and inclusions within the stone than an emerald diamond. If you're wanting to splurge on carat size, choosing a radiant diamond will ensure your budget can be dedicated to that C.

The Right Radiant Ring for You

The stunning sparkle, shape, and versatility of the radiant diamond makes it the perfect centerpiece to make a timeless engagement ring. If you or your partner like this diamond's contemporary glamour, the radiant diamond might be perfect for your ring! You can even test some of these radiant engagement rings out on your finger, by clicking here.

You can learn more about radiant engagement ring options by meeting virtually with a representative. Don't be shy, schedule your appointment today to find the right radiant engagement ring for you!