Radiant or Round?

[Rose974]

Forgive me if this topic has already been posted.

I'm looking for an 'upgrade' to my ring and I can't choose between a round or radiant cut diamond. Right now for my price range I find that I can afford a Round, 2 carat, GIA certified: excellent cut, VS1, H color with the right depth + table % and none to faint florescence.

I love that the round will look bigger face up than the radiant....

The problem is the round cuts I have seen (granted it may be low quality) have always been dull and lifeless. Again it might just be badly cut so my question is...

Do round cuts have a different type of sparkle compared to something like a radiant cut? I like the crushed ice look in diamonds. What can you expect in an excellent cut round in terms of sparkle and radiance?

Thank you!

 

[lambskin]

Since you are looking for an opinion I would go for a round. You are 'upgrading' which means you want it to look bigger and better. I am positive that you will be able to find a wonderful stone with this forum's resources. Good luck!

 

[therese13]

Well cut rounds are very sparkly. Radiants and rounds have different looks, you need to see some in person or online to get a feel for what you prefer. Good Old Gold has a bunch of good videos on youtube that you can view.

Diamond cut and diamond shape: http://www.youtube.com/diamondinfoman

Compares hearts and arrows round to Solasfera round: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YhhTLIxv28

One on radiant diamonds:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YhhTLIxv28

 

[ecf8503]

Oh heavens yes well cut rounds are sparkly! I would never describe an ideal cut round as "dull". But I have seen plenty of lifeless radiants...

Go browse Good Old Gold's website as well as their videos. They have lost of different square / rectangular shaped types of stones (radiants, Brellia, Princess of Hearts, Octavia, August Vintage, etc) if that's what you are drawn to that are ideal cut and will knock the socks off any poorly cut stone.

 

[Rose974]

Thank you for the videos and help! I am also wondering does the table % need to be less than the depth always? Also which would be the better certification when buying round cuts sight unseen? AGS or GIA?

 

[therese13]

AGS and GIA are both very good. You can check out https://www.pricescope.com/wiki/diamonds/diamond-grading-report to understand the subtle differences. Also search rocky talk - I think there are other threads on the differences. But as a general rule, you can't go wrong with either.

Analyzing the cut is a bit of a science. Rounds are easier to judge using online tools. I'm not sure about tools for judging radiants. Use the HCA and AGA cut class tools under the "tools" tab on this website. There's also a bunch of helpful info under the "knowledge" tab.

The easiest way to get a really well-cut super ideal diamond without putting too much time/effort into a hunt would be to purchase a diamond from white flash (a cut above or expert selection), brian gavin diamonds (their premium/select line) or good old gold. If you have some time, and enjoy analyzing diamonds (a hobby for some), then feel free to also explore other sites, like james allen, among others.

 

[Rose974]

Thank you for the info Therese. Thankfully I have found all the info I need from pricescope to figure out all the ideal proportions for an excellent cut round diamond. However from what I know for radiant cuts the table % should be less than the depth so I was wondering if that works for rounds too which I don't see listed in the info.

I've looked at James Allen, Engagement Rings Direct, Blue Nile, Good old Gold and Whitflash but Whiteflash and Good Old Gold don't list 2 carat rounds and their prices like the others do which is something I'm looking for because the timeline on when I get it is still in question.