When choosing between rectangular diamonds, the emerald cut and radiant cut often stand out. Though they appear similar, there are key differences that can influence your choice. Here’s a deeper dive into the unique features of both cuts.

What is an Emerald Cut Diamond?

The emerald cut is one of the oldest and most elegant diamond shapes. Originally developed for emeralds, it became widely popular for diamonds in the Art Deco era of the 1920s. The emerald cut is characterized by:

• Rectangular shape with beveled corners
• Step-cut facets that create a “hall of mirrors” effect
• A larger surface area making the diamond appear bigger than its carat weight suggests

While the emerald cut is famous for its elegance and sophistication, its step-cut design tends to highlight clarity, meaning imperfections (inclusions) are more noticeable than in other cuts.

What is a Radiant Cut Diamond?

The radiant cut is a newer diamond cut, first introduced in the 1970s. This cut is a combination of the round brilliant cut and emerald cut, offering the best of both worlds: the brilliance of the round cut with the elegant rectangular shape of the emerald. Characteristics of the radiant cut include:

• Rectangular or square shape with cut corners
• Brilliant-cut facets, which produce exceptional sparkle and fire
• Up to 70 facets, allowing for greater brilliance compared to the emerald cut

Radiant cut diamonds are ideal for those who desire more sparkle and an eye-catching effect.

Key Differences Between Emerald Cut and Radiant Cut Diamonds

1. Clarity

• Emerald Cut: Because of its step-cut style, the emerald cut is more transparent and tends to show any imperfections (like inclusions) more clearly. When choosing an emerald cut, it’s recommended to go for a diamond with higher clarity, at least VS2 or better.

• Radiant Cut: The radiant cut hides imperfections more effectively because of its brilliant-cut facets. The multiple facets deflect light, making inclusions less visible. If you’re considering a radiant cut, you can get away with a slightly lower clarity grade, like SI1 or SI2, without noticeable imperfections.

2. Brilliance and Sparkle

• Emerald Cut: Due to its step-cut design, the emerald cut creates a subtle, sophisticated sparkle with a “mirror” effect. While it may lack the intense fire and brilliance of other cuts, its charm lies in its understated elegance.
• Radiant Cut: With its 70 facets, the radiant cut shines brighter than the emerald cut, creating more fire and sparkle. The brilliance of the radiant cut makes it a great choice for someone looking for a dazzling effect.

3. Appearance (Size Perception)

• Emerald Cut: The elongated rectangular shape of the emerald cut gives the appearance of a larger diamond than its actual carat weight. Its wide surface area, combined with the long facets, can make the diamond appear bigger, even when it has the same carat weight as a round or other fancy-shaped diamond.
• Radiant Cut: Similar to the emerald cut, radiant diamonds also appear larger than round diamonds of the same carat weight due to their shape. However, the sparkle and brilliance tend to draw more attention, making the diamond look even larger under certain lighting.

4. Price

• Emerald Cut: Emerald cut diamonds are generally more affordable than radiant cuts. The reason? Emerald cuts require less precision and have a higher yield from the rough diamond (more of the diamond can be used), making them cheaper to produce.
• Radiant Cut: Although radiant cuts are still considered reasonably priced, they tend to be a bit more expensive due to the complex cutting process. The cutting process for radiant diamonds results in more wastage of the rough diamond, and with more facets involved, they take longer to cut.

5. Durability

• Emerald Cut: The emerald cut is less prone to chipping because of its beveled corners. However, it can still be vulnerable at the corners if the diamond is not set properly or protected.
• Radiant Cut: Thanks to its cut corners, radiant diamonds are also highly durable. The corners are less prone to chipping compared to more angular cuts like the princess cut.

6. Setting

• Emerald Cut: The emerald cut pairs beautifully with classic and vintage-inspired settings. The clean lines and step-cut facets look especially stunning in a halo setting or three-stone ring. This cut is often used for engagement rings where timeless beauty is the priority.
• Radiant Cut: The radiant cut is incredibly versatile and works well with almost any setting. It is especially stunning in modern, bold designs and can be set in halo settings, three-stone rings, or solitaire designs. The radiant cut’s exceptional brilliance can be highlighted through these settings.

7. Popularity

• Emerald Cut: The emerald cut, while iconic, is less common than the radiant cut. Its understated elegance appeals to those who want a timeless look.
• Radiant Cut: While not as famous as the round brilliant, the radiant cut has gained popularity over time, particularly among those looking for a diamond with more brilliance and sparkle than the emerald cut.

Which Cut is Right for You?

• Choose the Emerald Cut if:

  • You prefer a timeless, elegant look with clean lines.
  • You love a sophisticated, understated sparkle.
  • You want your diamond to appear larger without the high price tag.

• Choose the Radiant Cut if:

  • You want a dazzling diamond with exceptional brilliance and fire.
  • You’re looking for a diamond that hides imperfections more easily.
  • You prefer a modern, dynamic design that offers a lot of sparkle.

Both cuts are stunning in their own right, and your personal style will help determine which one is the best fit for you!