Help with radiant diamond choice

[CarolineT23]

Hi everyone!

I've been lurking for a little while trying to pick up information but seem to have picked a cut which isn't easy to find what is good vs bad and wondered if some of the experts around could give me some direction

I'm looking for a radiant cut diamond to go in a very simple platinum solitaire setting. I've found the below, the budget for the stone is about $18k, for which I want to maximise size but also looks good to me (not an expert) so not wanting top spec. I've found the following, any thoughts would be much appreciated.

loose diamonds, radiant cut, 1.81 carat d color vs1 clarity sku 13065093 13065093 - This Radiant Cut 1.81 Carat D Color VS1 Clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA www.jamesallen.com loose diamonds, radiant cut, 2.01 carat h color vs1 clarity sku 13995667 13995667 - This Radiant Cut 2.01 Carat H Color VS1 Clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA www.jamesallen.com https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD16754489 https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD16253120

 

[tyty333]

Your picks real quick (my opinion)...
1 No...not good light return
2 A good possibility
3 Might be good depending on what you are looking for
4 No...I don't think this has good light return

Radiants are one of the harder stones to pick on-line especially if you are looking for a crushed ice radiant.

What I like to see, in any stone, are well-defined facets that are flashing on/off (white/black). By well-defined, I mean that you
can fairly easily see the outline of the facets. We usually call areas that are gray (that are lacking in well-defined facets) "mushy".
Mushy areas do not return light well. It is difficult to evaluate crushed-ice radiants on-line because depending on the lighting
they can look very mushy. I prefer radiants with a bit of both larger facets and smaller facets.

 

[Lakefront]

I like the 1.71 personally. I noticed that you’re keeping to higher colors. Radiants are known for showing color, especially as the stone gets larger. if you want it to look colorless, I’d stay with one of your colorless (D, E, F) choices.

 

[CarolineT23]

Thank you so much for your input. I'm getting scared he's going to spend a huge amount of money on a diamond and I'm going to choose a dud.

I'd been avoiding the one's which flashed black so this is really helpful. I'm after something really sparkly, while I like the sparkle on the crushed ice effect, it also sort of looks like it's smashed which I'm not sure is a look I want to go for.

Currently my favorite is number 2, although I have a slight concern about the colour, but it still seems to be within the range I've mostly been recomended.

Would either of the following be any better?

2.02 Carat radiant diamond

This radiant cut 2.02 carat F color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD15367011

Also if I ask james allen/blue nile for more info on any what should I be looking for?

Thank you so much in advance!

 

[CarolineT23]

I have the below on hold, I'm now slightly concerned it's mushy at the sides, would love a second opinion prior to pressing go.

1.82 Carat radiant diamond

This radiant cut 1.82 carat F color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

Thanks,
Caroline

 

[tyty333]

The 2.02 above has no crown basically. Look at it from the back side. The top is basically flat (unfortunately, this is not good).

The 1.72 is better. It has a little more crown, nice faceting pattern, and a lovely shape.

I'm not fond of the one you have on hold. Chance it could be too mushy.

Have you watched any videos on YouTube on radiants?

 

[ItsMainelyYou]

I just saw this on loupetroop. It happens to be a lab, I thought I'd throw it out there as it's cut really well, to my eye. This is the faceting I would look for.

2.59ct E VS1 Radiant Cut Lab Diamond | Loupe Troop

loupetroop.com

 

[EClove]

I’m not an expert in radiants so take this with a grain of salt, but I really like the one linked below. The facets look super well defined and flashy:

1.82 Carat radiant diamond

This radiant cut 1.82 carat F color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

I also personally really like this one with the really clipped corners, but that might be a personal preference

1.82 Carat radiant diamond

This radiant cut 1.82 carat F color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

 

[EClove]

Thank you so much for your input. I'm getting scared he's going to spend a huge amount of money on a diamond and I'm going to choose a dud.

I'd been avoiding the one's which flashed black so this is really helpful. I'm after something really sparkly, while I like the sparkle on the crushed ice effect, it also sort of looks like it's smashed which I'm not sure is a look I want to go for.

Currently my favorite is number 2, although I have a slight concern about the colour, but it still seems to be within the range I've mostly been recomended.

Would either of the following be any better?

2.02 Carat radiant diamond

This radiant cut 2.02 carat F color vs2 clarity has a diamond grading report from GIA

www.jamesallen.com

https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/LD15367011

Also if I ask james allen/blue nile for more info on any what should I be looking for?

Thank you so much in advance!

I also really like #2 but you it will depend on how color sensitive you are! My emerald cut is an H and I can’t even see tint from the side but when I got to and I I could