If you’re looking for a unique engagement stone with all the sparkle and a bit of extra oomph, check out radiant-shaped engagement rings. Designed in 1977 by Henry Grossbard, the radiant-shaped stone combines the characteristics of emeralds in shape and corners and brilliant round diamonds in faceting.

The result is a brilliantly sparkling rectangular cut stone, perfect for engagement rings. Radiants have a unique crushed ice appearance and up to 70 facets, which create fire and extraordinary brilliance.

The radiant cut took off when sparkling diamonds became popular in the 1980s and remains a bestseller today, with celebrities like Drew Barrymore, Megan Fox, and Hilary Duff wearing radiants.

Benefits of Radiant-Shaped Engagement Rings

Since the earliest wedding and engagement rings, these symbols have been about love and a bit of bling. And radiant-shaped engagement rings are all about that sparkle. The center stone catches the light and shows off the diamond at its most brilliant. Often mistaken for a princess cut, this beauty shines with 12 more facets than that well-known stunner.

In fact, these diamonds are so brilliant that they hide minor imperfections and flaws. The cracked ice appearance unique to the radiant-cut diamond makes the imperfect diamonds at SI2 look clean to the eye.

Radiant-cut diamonds can stand alone in a solitaire engagement ring or be set between two side stones. And designs are versatile enough to range from vintage to timeless.

The rounded corners of radiant-shaped stones improve their durability. The corners are less likely to chip because they are beveled, which sets the radiant cut apart from other square and rectangular cuts.

Radiant-cut diamonds are one of the more affordable cuts because more diamond rough is preserved in the cutting process. Because very little of the original diamond goes to waste, radiant-cut diamonds are 10-30% less expensive per carat than round-cut diamonds.

And, since radiant-cut diamonds are in lower demand, making up only 2 percent of diamond sales, you’ll be able to find better deals on the rings when you can find radiant-cut rings or stones for custom rings.

Considerations Before Buying a Radiant-Cut Diamond Engagement Ring

The elongated shape of the radiant cut tricks the eyes, making it appear larger. So you may opt for a rectangular rather than squarish radiant cut. Consider a larger-carat diamond for maximum impact.

As radiant-shaped stones can be challenging to find, consider a moissanite center stone. Take your partner’s style into account to find the perfect engagement ring. The metal, ring size, style, and stone size are all factors.

Best-selling Radiant-Shaped Engagement Rings

Finding the perfect radiant-cut diamond engagement ring is all about suiting your style. The versatility of the radiant-cut diamond shines in these engagement ring selections. Ranging from a solitaire with a pave band to a timeless low profile, these rings are all stunning. You can even select a three-stone ring with a radiant-cut center stone or a nature-inspired ring.

Pave Alex

The Pave Alex is a solitaire hidden halo ring with a pave band. Four prongs hold the center stone high above the band, emphasizing its size. The hidden halo goes around the four prongs, creating incredible sparkle — especially while the ring is in motion.

Kamellie

The Low Profile Kamellie blends tasteful modernity with a timeless classic. Its delicate design flatters the finger yet remains low profile making it practical for the busiest hands.

Penelope

The Penelope is a unique design that can be fitted with a radiant-cut center stone. This beautiful engagement ring has stunning diamond accents on its shoulders — six round cut diamonds that draw attention to the center stone, which is claw set for a perfect finish.

Twig Emily

The Twig Emily is a nature-inspired piece. As you add new branches to your family tree, add its dainty, twig-like band to your ring finger. Its soft accents add subtle sparkle, and the delicate band emphasizes the center stone’s size.

Choosing the Center Stone

The center stone is the most important piece of your engagement ring, so the choice is vital. The decision between natural or lab diamonds and moissanite is largely personal preference, but a few differences can make your decision simpler. 

In price, moissanite is the least expensive, with mined diamonds the most expensive and lab diamonds between the two. Rather than sacrifice carat, cut, color, and clarity on a diamond that suits your budget, you could get a high-quality moissanite stone. Moissanite is slightly less durable than diamonds, falling at 9.5 versus 10 for diamonds on the Mohs hardness scale.

Moissanite is more brilliant than mined diamonds. Both can be colorless. Lab diamonds have identical properties to mined diamonds but are less expensive. But, it could be the way to go if you want a diamond without paying the extra price or due to ethical considerations.

When choosing your center stone, you also want to consider the four Cs — cut, color, clarity, and carat. The more traditional radiant cut is rectangular rather than the squarish cut. While the square cut may be more brilliant and sparkly, the elongated stone appears fierier and may seem larger to the eye.

You have flexibility with color for radiant-cut stones. An H grade or better will appear colorless to the eye. The intense brilliance and clarity of the radiant cut are its best features. They help mask imperfections and inclusions, allowing you to get more bang for your buck.

With the radiant-cut diamond, your diamond will appear larger by carat weight than a round brilliant-cut diamond, so you’ll have more flexibility in choosing your carat weight.

Radiant-Cut Diamonds Versus Other Cuts – Which Is Right for You?

The radiant and princess cuts are both available in square and rectangular shapes. The radiant cut is more durable due to its beveled corners, making them less likely to chip.

The diamond looks its actual size with a princess cut, while it can look larger with a radiant cut. With its elongated shape, it can appear larger. Princess cuts generally have a larger table than radiant cuts.

Emerald cuts boast 50 to 58 facets in a step-cut pattern that creates dramatic flashes of light. It is sophisticated and subdued compared to the radiant cut, creating a hall of mirrors effect. With radiant cuts, you’ll get a rectangular shape with cut corners but have 70 triangular or kite-shaped facets. The facets radiate from the center of the stone and create a fiery, sparkling brilliance.

Both stones look larger than the round brilliant cut diamonds due to their elongated shape. Still, due to its 70 facets and radiant brilliance, the radiant cut does a better job of hiding flaws and inclusions within the stone. You may be able to allocate your money to other Cs than clarity if you choose a radiant cut.

Finding the Perfect Radiant-Shaped Engagement Ring

With its fascinating brilliance, durability, and versatility, a radiant-shaped stone can be a unique part of the perfect engagement ring. Consider whether this contemporary classic suits your style and your partner’s. And before you make a decision, see what one of these gorgeous rings will look like on.

See radiant-shaped engagement ring selections up close in the comfort of your home via a virtual session. You can try your rings on virtually with or without a model. So schedule a virtual appointment today.