F v G colour in a radiant diamond

[monique_w]

Hi there.

This is my first post on pricescope and I am hoping you guys can help me out.

My boyfriend and I are getting engaged in the next few months and he wants me to help in designing my ring.

I have a good idea of what I want, thinking of a radiant centre stone with a baguette cut either side.

Our budget is about $5000 for the ring as we have just bought our first house and don't want to spend too much on the ring.

Just wondering if you guys think there would be a noticeable difference between an F and a G coloured stone if the other factors were similar. I have read that radiants can tend to show colour more than some other cuts? For the other variables I am thinking VS1 or higher eye clean, very good or excellent cut, within a certain range for depth and table percentages and I like the more rectangular radiants with a length width ratio or more than 1.20.

With our budget I am thinking that the centre diamond would end up between .75 and .90.

Would the average person notice a difference in colour between F and H

Thanks in advance

 

[kenny]

F and H, yes you are likely to notice a color difference.
F an G, probably not.

You really need to compare them side by side live.
Your color sensitively or color tolerance will not be the same as mine, neither will your value-judgement about whether the color difference is worth the money.
So it doesn't matter what I or any else thinks.
It's your money and your diamond you will wear for the rest of your life.

If you can narrow it down to two radiants of different color (and have the cash or credit) buy both and return one.

 

[Rockdiamond]

Hi Monique,
Welcome to Pricescope.
Congrats on the upcoming engagement,and new house!!
Speaking in the abstract, I agree with Kenny that the difference between F and G will not be noticeable.
Speaking more specifically, each Radiant cut diamond will have it's own particular color- sometimes two F color stones can have a different appearance. Each person's tolerance to color is different- again, I agree with Kenny on this.
You mentioned a few aspects in your post that think are important:
Clarity- it's a common misconception that clarity is a "pervasive" characteristic,
That is to say, just because a diamond is a VS1 will not mean it's necessarily got a better appearance than an eye clean SI2.
Some SI2 diamonds will not be eye clean, yet others will.
So if a person has a budget in mind, and they limit their choices to VS or better, they may end up getting a smaller stone than need be.
Cut: There is no "cut grade" assigned by GIA for Radiant cut diamonds.
When a seller uses a cut grade for a radiant it's not an agreed upon standard. Unfortunately, this is confusing to a lot of consumers.

Best of luck and I hope this helps!

 

[misskittycat]

I have a g coloured radiant. You cannot see any colour in it. I compared it with a smaller F colour when we were choosing and I couldn't see the difference. We opted for the larger diamond and slightly lower colour. Don't forget that radiants can face up smaller than other cuts so unless you are totally set on one you might like to consider other cuts at that size. My radiant is 1.5ct but measures 7.5x6mm.

 

[endless_summer]

Monique,

Congrats!

I would definitely go look at different colors and compare them. If not in person, then check out Good Old Gold's color tutorial on their website (very useful showing the stones face down from the side w/comparison photos) or do some searches on James Allen's website for F & G radiants - likely you'll be able to find some next to one another, and you can spin them around with the cursor to look at them from the faces and the sides. Also, you can look at radiant threads (many folks share their specs) or G color or nearly colorless stones threads to get a sense of color, though comparing radiants to radiants would be most helpful.

Colorless is awesome, but from what I gather, also very pricey when paired with VS+ clarity. Dropping down to SI may allow you to compromise there and go colorless if that's your priority, particularly if the stone has inclusions in a corner (rather than under the table), which could be hidden nicely with the right prongs - just food for thought.

All that said, my radiant center stone is a GIA G, and I love it - beautifully bright and white. If it's helpful, I'd be happy to share a pic, and best of luck!

 

[monique_w]

Thanks everyone so much for your replies, I really appreciate all the information that I have been given. I didn't realise that there was no standard cut grading when it comes to radiants.

I am fairly sure that I want a radiant, I love how they are rectangular like the emeralds but sparkly like the round brilliants, I love how they are a little bit uncommon. At least here in Australia where I am you don't really see many of them and I don't mind that they face up a bit smaller.


I am having at look at the colour tutorial on the Good old gold website and I think I will probably end up going with a G, I don't think I will be able to see a difference in colour.

I would love to see photos of your radiants if that is ok. As I said, I'm in Australia and it has been almost impossible to see a radiant in person in a jewellery store without getting them ordered in as they are not very common here. I was tossing up between radiant or cushion and I was able to see heaps of cushions but I am pretty set on radiant now.

I have tried to search for threads on radiants here but I'm not having much luck, maybe I am not putting in the search terms correctly or something?

Thanks again for your help.

 

[arkieb1]

Thanks everyone so much for your replies, I really appreciate all the information that I have been given. I didn't realise that there was no standard cut grading when it comes to radiants.

I am fairly sure that I want a radiant, I love how they are rectangular like the emeralds but sparkly like the round brilliants, I love how they are a little bit uncommon. At least here in Australia where I am you don't really see many of them and I don't mind that they face up a bit smaller.


I am having at look at the colour tutorial on the Good old gold website and I think I will probably end up going with a G, I don't think I will be able to see a difference in colour.

I would love to see photos of your radiants if that is ok. As I said, I'm in Australia and it has been almost impossible to see a radiant in person in a jewellery store without getting them ordered in as they are not very common here. I was tossing up between radiant or cushion and I was able to see heaps of cushions but I am pretty set on radiant now.

I have tried to search for threads on radiants here but I'm not having much luck, maybe I am not putting in the search terms correctly or something?

Thanks again for your help.

You don't live in Brisbane by any chance do you? I know a jeweller in the city that a number of months ago had this amazing modified radiant cut in an award winning ring he designed. It was one of the nicest radiants I think I have ever seen and it was around a carat roughly from memory. Diamonds International usually has radiants as well.

 

[endless_summer]

Hey Monique!

If you type "radiant cut" into the google search function, click on search, and then click on the "Show Me the Bling!" tab at the top of the results, you'll pull up a bunch of radiant ring threads

Here's two pics of mine - one face up in the shade and the other from a profile/side view - I hope it's helpful!

 

[monique_w]

You don't live in Brisbane by any chance do you? I know a jeweller in the city that a number of months ago had this amazing modified radiant cut in an award winning ring he designed. It was one of the nicest radiants I think I have ever seen and it was around a carat roughly from memory. Diamonds International usually has radiants as well.

I actually am in Brisbane, I did see a radiant at diamonds international in the city and one at their store at Carindale but they have been the only two I have seen in person. Which jeweller in the city was the ring you saw in? I go into the city regularly for work so would love to check it out if they still have it.

Thanks

 

[misskittycat]

If you are in Sydney I can recommend my diamond dealer. They had a number in when we bought ours and if you are looking for something specific they can probably call some in.

Here is my radiant. It's more on the square side that rectangular though.

 

[misskittycat]

And another:

 

[misskittycat]

Sorry, just saw you are in Brisbane!

 

[endless_summer]

just have to say - i love the last pic of yours with the awesome colors misskittycat!

 

[misskittycat]

Thanks endless_summer! My iPhone cover used to be pink so it's reflecting that!!

 

[arkieb1]

Hi,

If you want to go and potentially look at other cuts including radiants have you ever been to the Brisbane arcade, Queen Street Mall there are a lot of higher end jewellers in there both bottom and upper floors many of whom have a wide variety of diamond cuts. Go and have look in there, and ask some of them. I do remember seeing radiants in there, they have wide variety of new diamonds and rings on sale.

The shop where I saw the ring I liked was over 6 months ago, so it possibly could be sold, they might have made another one. The shop is called Ringleaders it's the corner of Queen and Albert Streets (enter via Albert St) and you go up in the lift to get there. The guy I talked to who made the ring was Warren Gillick and the ring model was P0111433 - Filigree it was a amazing looking band with filigree work that had a modified radiant set in the centre of it. Phone number 07 3229 8066

While you are there go up one more level, the Gold and Diamond Exchange has a mix of used estate items, I usually go there to look and see if there is any antique stuff but you could call them as ask if they have any radiant cuts. Phone number 07 3211 0088

I also love Precious Stones in the Myer Centre Arcade. Its shop 129a, Level Q. Sometimes they have interesting items, they might have a radiant they might not as they deal in preloved as well. Phone number 07 3220 7022

The Diamonds International at Chermside usually has a radiant or two as well. Perhaps ring them first to make sure to save you a drive over. I'd also call Hardy Bros in the city and ask if they have any in stock. They usually have expensive but better cut diamonds.

If you find a jeweller in the Brisbane arcade that has a few or even if they don't try on a F, G and a H in colour in a different cut. See if you can tell the difference. That will also help you for future reference.

 

[monique_w]

Wow thanks for all this great information.

All the rings that have been posted are gorgeous.

And I will definitely check out the stores mentioned in Brisbane city at least to just have a look.

My boyfriend is pretty keen on going through a jeweller a lot of his friends have used in Dubai, they have a store in Sydney and one in Switzerland as well. My boyfriend was in the army and when they were in Afghanistan a lot of the boys used this jeweller when they had stopovers in Dubai and they apparently have access to a wide range of radiant stones.

You have all given me great information and I really appreciate all the help.

Something similar to this is what I am after I am pretty sure.

 

[arkieb1]

I have a diamond band brought back from Dubai. They have a much bigger and better selection and in general are cheaper than here as well. Hopefully you can find something in some of the stores I have mentioned, just to look at and get a better idea of what you want. Go there and don't be afraid to try a heap of things on. Tell them you are just working out what you want in terms of colour, size and cut, that way they will show you a wide range of items.

A couple of the retailers down the bottom of the Arcade can be snobby, but ignore this and just tell them you are working out what you want to purchase. The two upstairs either side of Kellies Antique jewellers one is next to and the other is down from are usually fine and polite. I can't think of their names because I usually only go in there to look in Kellie's - that lady that owns it is lovely as well. She probably won't have a radiant though.

 

[monique_w]

I just went into a jewellery store at Indoooroopilly and had a look at a couple of rings. I compared a G and an F colour princess because they didn't have any radiants and I couldn't tell the difference in colour so I think I will probably go for a G coloured stone and probably go VS2 as long as it is eye clean. Will just make sure I get a well cut stone so it is extra sparkly.

I have read on here that a lot of people don't like the crazy pin fire flashes of the radiants but I really do

Thanks all for your help, I really appreciate it and I will probably be back for more help when we get to the stage of picking and ordering a diamond.

 

[endless_summer]

So excited for you & good luck!!!

(PS - the setting you like is gorgeous!)