Q&A: Looking for Square Radiant with Sparkle

I am looking at having a custom engagement ring and wedding band made but am still chewing on the best center diamond for the engagement ring. The diamond style of choice is radiant but as you have so aptly pointed out on your website, there is no ”official” grading system that is consistent for all diamond shapes.

My main trouble right now is related to the optimum table/depth percentages for a radiant diamond. I am fairly comfortable with the other baseline characteristics (VS1 or better, H or better, VG cut or better, 0.5-1 carat) that I have been looking at.

I realize that light performance related to how light moves around the diamond is very key to how it looks hence the table/depth question.

Additionally the center diamond will be mounted down into a setting with surrounding diamonds similar to the Tiffany Novo or Ben Bridge #10811669 setting. The primary difference between what I am looking to have made and the examples is that the center diamond will not stick up as far since I don’t want it getting caught and the ring damaged (my girlfriend is a teacher).

My budget right now is the 2-2.5K range for the center diamond (The settings custom made with the jewelers I have talked to are averaging 1.5K).

Any advice about the table/depth, etc is greatly appreciated. If you have additional concerns regarding the light performance with the center diamond being more captive than usual, please feel free to let me know.

Thank you

Oopse, forgot to include that detail. Square radiant is what i’m looking for.

The VS1 clarity was just an average after looking on the web at various different example images against overall price therefore using VS1 as a guide just became habit as part of a smaller center diamond. I am open to lower clarity diamonds that are eye clean.

I have also noticed that when I really search for something close to square, the options become few and far between.

I ran across the link below regarding overall size and structure for radiant diamonds. What are your thoughts on the information listed?

http://www.lumeradiamonds.com/diamond-education/radiant-cut-diamond

I also came across these articles while composing this email:

http://www.gemappraisers.com/images/chrt3.jpg

http://www.diamondarticles.com/diamond-proportions.php

I have changed my search parameters to the following:

Carat: 0.5-1.1

Cut: Ex-VG

Color: D-H

Clarity: IF-SI2

Symmetry: Ex-VG

Depth: 60-70%

Table: 60-70%

Length/Wdth: 1.00-1.03

Fluorescence: None-Faint

Right now Eternity & BlueNile seem to have the most options within the above parameters but of course they don’t show pictures of the actual diamonds 🙁

Meeting with a few different jewelers over the next week.

Thank you again for looking around and helping clarify things!

I have been to several jewelers and am still looking around online at diamonds.

This popped up recently on James Allen

https://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/G-VS1-Ideal-Cut-Radiant-Diamond-1335292.asp?a_aid=dmnd1357

What do you think?

I like it a lot!

The crystal at the 8:00 position in the center is rather obvious but quite small. I’m surprised that it has as many notes on the clarity but is still a VS1.

Is this due to the Cloud, Needle, Pinpoint being towards the sides near the girdle? If this diamond is excellent polish, why would they mark Finish in the clarity characteristics?

Sorry for all the questions, just trying to make sure that I am thinking about things correctly.

Wow I feel stupid for not realizing that 🙂

I ordered the diamond and called in to make sure that they know you were the one who referred me to them so that they can get you your referral bonus.

Thank you again for all your help and knowledge!

The ring is currently being custom built right now. It is expected to be done just after thanksgiving and if all goes well I will be proposing on December 3rd.

Thank you again for all your help and guidance.

Yes I received it last Monday and immediately opened the box to see how the light moves in natural sunlight. At the jeweler’s I looked at it under a 40x microscope and it looks great! The imperfections are so small and spread out so there isn’t any one noticeable “spot” and the scintillation/sparkle is impressive.

http://www.ivouch.com/diamonds-pro/incredibly-helpful-intelligent-and-honest-guidance-on-diamon