Diamond Shape Guide
Radiant
The radiant cut blends the elegance of the emerald shape with the brilliance of the round — a versatile, high-fire option in a rectangular format.
70 facetsShop Radiant Diamonds
About the Radiant
Introduced by Henry Grossbard in 1977, the radiant cut was the first rectangular shape to feature a complete brilliant-cut facet pattern on both the crown and pavilion. This gives it the geometric silhouette of an emerald cut with the fire and brilliance of a round brilliant — truly the best of both worlds. The radiant is available in square and rectangular proportions, and its trimmed corners make it more durable than the sharp-cornered princess. It is an excellent choice for coloured diamonds, as the brilliant faceting intensifies body colour beautifully.
Characteristics
- Rectangular or square with trimmed corners
- Complete brilliant-cut facet pattern
- Exceptional fire and brilliance in a geometric shape
- Intensifies colour — ideal for fancy coloured diamonds
Ideal Settings
- Solitaire
- Three-stone
- Halo
- Bezel
- Channel
Advantages
- Combines step-cut silhouette with brilliant-cut sparkle
- Trimmed corners are more durable than sharp corners
- Excellent for coloured diamonds — intensifies hue
- Available in square and rectangular ratios
Considerations
- Can face up smaller than expected if cut deep
- Less well-known — fewer comparison benchmarks available
- Depth percentage varies widely between stones
Size Guide
A 1-carat square radiant measures approximately 5.5 x 5.5mm. For rectangular, look for 1.15-1.35:1 ratio. Radiants work beautifully as centre stones flanked by tapered baguettes.
Shop Radiant Diamonds
Browse our live inventory of radiant diamonds — GIA and IGI certified.