A square radiant combines a step cut's outline with brilliant faceting underneath, which is why it holds color more intensely than almost any other shape.
What is the difference between a radiant and a square radiant?
Only the outline. A square radiant is close to 1.00 to 1.05 length-to-width; a radiant is rectangular and longer. The faceting and the optical behaviour are the same.
Why are so many fancy color diamonds cut as radiants?
The faceting reflects light back through the body of the stone repeatedly, deepening the apparent color. A stone that grades Fancy Light in one shape can present as visibly richer as a radiant, which is why cutters choose it for colored rough.
How does a square radiant compare with a princess cut?
Both are square, but the radiant has cropped corners and a softer, broader sparkle, while the princess has sharp corners and a crisper flash. The cropped corners also make the radiant far less vulnerable to chipping.
What clarity should I look for in a square radiant?
The brilliant faceting is forgiving — VS2 and many SI1 stones face up clean. In fancy color stones clarity matters less again, because the color itself draws the eye before any inclusion does.
Does a square radiant look smaller than other shapes?
Slightly, per carat. Radiants tend to carry more weight in the pavilion, so face-up size can be a little smaller than an oval or marquise of the same weight. Depth percentage is the figure to check.
Are square radiants good for everyday wear?
Very. The cropped corners remove the fragile points that make princess cuts and marquises vulnerable, so it is among the more robust fancy shapes for a ring worn daily.
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