When we think of the way a diamond is cut, the first thought that strikes us is its shape. But diamond cuts are actually so much more than just their shape. Imagine a radiant cut gemstone, with its geometric facets engaged in a dance of fire and sparkle, meticulously arranged to reflect light in a dazzling array of colors. On the other hand, the emerald cut is a timeless classic that epitomizes sophistication and symmetry at its finest. It has transcended the test of time, becoming an heirloom design that is passed down through generations. Both gemstone cuts symbolize love, legacy, and luxury, weaving a tapestry of style stories. At first glance, they’re so similar in terms of their shape – geometrical, contemporary, and chic; but up close for the discerning eye, they’re actually quite different.
Both these diamond cuts have grown in popularity over the years, offering wearers a precious accessory that is clean and classic while also being high on style. Yet, there are notable differences between the appeal they exude. Once we understand each cut in further detail and evaluate the comparisons between them, you’ll perhaps have a clearer idea of which of these beauties are meant for you.
Understanding Emerald Cut Diamonds
Imagine long parallel steps sweeping across the width of a stately mansion. The structure of an emerald-cut diamond is much like those steps. There are rows of elongated facets along the length of the crown as well as the pavilion. Usually, these facets are in rows of three, but the number of step cuts can vary. The sophisticated rectangular shape of an emerald cut features a large table and clipped corners for a more contemporary, elegant appeal.
18K White Gold Emerald Cut Five Stone Diamond Channel Set Engagement Ring
Attributes of Emerald Cut Diamonds
1. Enhanced Clarity: If you have a diamond of high clarity with very few visible flaws and inclusions, an emerald cut is a fabulous way to showcase it. An emerald cut also enhances a diamond with a good color grade, as fewer facets enable us to admire its white shade.
2. Versatile Appeal: Popularised in the Art Deco era a century ago, the emerald cut is synonymous with old-world Hollywood glamor and royalty. It suits classic and vintage styles of jewelry.
3. Subtle Brilliance: The more facets a piece has, the more sparkle and fire it has. Since the emerald cut relies on subtle elegance, it has less brilliance and fire than other cuts.
4. Requires Higher Clarity: If an emerald cut is an advantage for high-clarity diamonds, it is also a disadvantage for a diamond of lesser clarity. The optimal appearance for an emerald cut requires high clarity, so you may have to loosen your purse strings a bit.
Emerald Cut Diamonds in Engagement Rings and Fine Jewelry
The emerald cut has been popularised by style icons such as Princess Grace of Monaco, whose 10.48-carat ring exuded glamor. Liz Taylor’s 30-carat engagement ring from producer Mike Todd was another emerald-cut beauty. Current-day style divas like Beyonce, Amal Clooney, and Paris Hilton have also donned beautiful emerald-cut rings.
In fine jewelry, too, the emerald cut occupies pride of place. The Magnificence, a flawless emerald cut that weighs a staggering 243.96 carats, is known as the King of Diamonds. Another rare colored diamond – the Oppenheimer blue diamond – is a 14.6-carat classic emerald cut, its unique color making it the most expensive stone ever sold at 58 million US.
Emerald cut diamonds are fabulous for brides who love an unfussy vintage appeal and want to recreate old-fashioned aesthetic allure with modern techniques and durability. They’re also a wonderful fine jewelry option that you can wear for a black-tie dinner or an important business meeting.
Understanding Radiant Cut Diamonds
To put it simply, a radiant cut is an extension of the emerald-cut diamond but with some of the properties of a round cut. It is a hybrid that has been around only since the 1970s, making it a more contemporary cut. The outline is similar to an emerald cut – rectangular or square with clipped edges; however, instead of the step facets that are synonymous with emerald cuts, they feature a mix of horizontal, vertical, and slanting facets, similar to that of a round cut.
14K White Gold Rectangular Radiant Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
Attributes of Radiant Cut Diamonds
1. Exceptional Sparkle and Brilliance: The main advantage of the radiant-cut diamond is the sparkle and brilliance it exudes due to its faceting. We know that the round diamond cut is the most brilliant of all. When those very faceting techniques are applied here, the fire of a radiant-cut diamond is unmatchable.
2. Better at Hiding Flaws: Because of its brilliance and ability to camouflage inclusions, the radiant cut diamond is better suited for diamonds that aren’t high clarity.
3. More Contemporary, Less Traditional: Since the radiant cut is a relatively new entrant on the scene, it is not really a traditional diamond cut for an engagement, such as round or princess cuts for engagement rings. It has a modern appeal that captivates the young couples.
4. Extremely Precise Craftsmanship: The cutting of a radiant cut diamond has to be done very precisely and accurately by an expert cutter to ensure that the facets maximize brilliance.
Radiant Cut Diamonds in Engagement Rings and Fine Jewelry
Radiant cut diamonds are a feature with celebrities who love that extra sparkle such as Jennifer Lopez, whose iconic 6.1 carat pink diamond ring in a three-stone setting made heads turn. Khloe Kardashian also opted for a 12.5-carat radiant-cut engagement ring. Megan Fox and Drew Barrymore are other celebrities who hopped onto this trend.
A relatively new entrant, the radiant cut diamond is often referred to as ‘rectangular brilliant’ or ‘cut-cornered square’ on a GIA certificate. They’re popular with contemporary and modern brides with an effervescent personality. In fine jewelry, they are perfect for statement pieces such as pendants or statement rings.
14K White Gold 2.66ctw Lab Grown Radiant Diamond Hidden Halo Engagement Ring
Comparison between Emerald Cut and Radiant Cut Diamonds
Brilliance and Fire
An emerald-cut diamond typically features around 57 facets in a longitudinal arrangement around the edges. In contrast, a radiant cut features around 70 facets spread across the surface of the diamond with the aim to reflect more light. While the emerald cut is great for a subtle and understated glamorous allure, the radiant cut loves to sparkle brightly and with brilliance.
Clarity and Inclusions
Since the emerald cut doesn’t really have the ability to mask flaws and inclusions, you can’t really get away with using a diamond of lower clarity. However, this is the perfect diamond cut to showcase a quality diamond with few or no visible inclusions. The radiant cut, on the other hand, may not do justice to a diamond with high clarity. On a diamond with lower clarity, though, it creates a beautiful brilliance and shine to mask its flaws.
Versatility and Style
Do you love a vintage, glamorous appeal that channels your inner princess? Or do you want a modern, innovative approach to jewelry to highlight the rock star you are? Depending on whether your goal is subtle drama or intense sparkle, you can choose either the traditional emerald cut or the more avant-garde radiant cut.
Emerald cuts look beautiful set in soft yellow, vintage rose or milky white gold. The solitaire and three-stone settings are the most popular engagement ring settings for emerald cut center stones, but pavé and halos can also enhance the sparkle. Prongs or bezel settings add an element of durability.
Radiant cuts are ideally set in white gold or platinum, which allows its sparkle to come through entirely. They look lovely on a split shank for a more contemporary approach or even an east-west setting. Prongs are ideal to hold a radiant cut center stone in place as well.
Comparison between an emerald and a radiant cut diamond
Popularity and Pricing
Emerald cuts are generally more expensive than radiant cuts due to the intricacy and precision required in crafting their facets. Creating the precise step-cut facets of an emerald cut demands more skill and time compared to the brilliant-cut facets of a radiant cut, thus driving up the cost. However, there are other factors that influence the pricing – such as the size and quality of the stone. The one good thing about both emerald and radiant cut diamonds is that they tend to look larger than other shapes, such as round cut, creating a precious stone that is true value for money.
Both emerald cut and radiant cut diamonds are beautiful styles that can elevate your engagement ring. Emerald cuts are more popular among traditional brides who are seeking to create an heirloom piece. In addition, they’re perfect as side stones, as well as pendants or earrings. Radiant cuts are ideal engagement ring stones for brides who love extra sparkle and don’t mind experimenting.
Depending on your personality and your vision for how your engagement ring should look, choose your engagement ring at Gabriel & Co. and be prepared to look like a million bucks. In addition, we offer a selection of fine jewelry featuring emerald-cut and radiant-cut diamonds, which are ideal for special occasions in your life.
Written By: Gabriel Editorial Team
