Radiant Cut Engagement Rings: A Complete Guide

The radiant cut combines the elegant silhouette of an emerald cut with the brilliance and sparkle of a round brilliant. It's the perfect choice for those who want a rectangular shape without sacrificing fire.

What is a Radiant Cut?

Invented in 1977, the radiant cut features trimmed corners (like an emerald cut) and a brilliant facet pattern (like a round or cushion cut). This hybrid design makes it durable and incredibly sparkly. It hides inclusions well, often allowing you to drop down in clarity grades to save money.

Key Buying Factors

1. Length-to-Width Ratio

Radiant cuts can be square or rectangular.
Square Radiant: Ratio of 1.00 to 1.05.
Rectangular Radiant: Ratio of 1.15 to 1.35 (most popular).
The "best" ratio is purely personal preference, but 1.25 is often considered the classic rectangular sweet spot.

2. The "Bow-Tie" Effect

Like ovals and pears, radiant cuts can exhibit a "bow-tie"—a dark area across the center of the stone. While some bow-tie is normal, you want to avoid stones where it is large and distracting. This is why seeing the diamond in 360° HD video is crucial.

3. Cut Quality

GIA does not grade cut quality for fancy shapes like radiants. You must rely on your eyes (or an expert's). Look for a stone with even light distribution and no large dark patches.

Best Places to Buy Radiant Cuts