The 3 Carat Radiant Cut Diamond Ring: Too Good to Be True?
Have you ever seen a radiant cut diamond? They were first introduced in the late 1970s, making this the most modern of all the common cuts. They’re designed to combine the shape of an emerald with the brilliance, or sparkle, of a round cut.
That sparkle comes from a diamond's facets. Radiant cuts give a diamond a whopping seventy facets! In comparison, round brilliants only have 58, so they shine, but not as much as a radiant.
They’re also cut with beveled corners, like an asscher, so they’re more durable and less likely to chip.
All those facets give radiant diamonds a unique “fire.” This fire, which also appears in round cuts, reflects light into rainbow colors.
Fire has more to do with cut than anything else, so it won't affect the diamond's color rating. The sparkle or “crushed ice” effect can actually hide the color of a diamond. This means your diamond can have a less expensive color rating without sacrificing its appearance at all.
That crushed ice look also hides imperfections well, so you can get away with a VS (very slight inclusions) or SI (slight inclusions) rating. This is even true for larger diamonds, where imperfections are usually more visible.
And because radiant cut diamonds tend to look bigger than other cuts of the same carat, your ring will be stunning regardless of the diamond's size.
This cut minimizes waste while being shaped, making it more affordable since less of the gem is lost in the process.
Size Matters
Since this cut lets you downgrade a little bit on clarity and color, you might as well increase the size. Plus, radiant diamonds tend to have more depth, which means it carries its weight underneath. That weight shift means you might want to get a bigger diamond to compensate for any loss of sparkle.
Buying a diamond that’s bigger than 1.5 carats can seem overwhelming, but Keyzar’s online system makes it easier. There are also plenty of options you can look at, so don’t worry about getting stuck or backed into a corner. Just remember to also choose a setting that will support the diamond’s weight and protect it from everyday wear and tear.
The Last C
By now you know that you can compromise on two of the four Cs when it comes to a radiant diamond. By decreasing clarity and color, you can increase carat. However, it’s important to remember that you should never compromise on cut. If you do, you lose the benefits of sacrificing the others. This is because the cut is what hides lower color and clarity ratings. A few things in particular are important to consider. Each corner needs to be equal, the ratio should be flattering, and there shouldn’t be a visible bowtie effect.
Many diamond cuts are prone to bowties, where there’s a loss of light in the center of the gem. That can be minimized with a quality cut. As for the ratio, there’s no one shape that’s “better.” Some people prefer a diamond that’s more square, others prefer a rectangle. And if you want a rectangle, you should consider settings that will emphasize that. Halo settings, for example, can make the diamond appear more square, which you can fix with a more dramatic ratio. Keyzar’s website has a 3D view tool, so you can consider a setting from all angles before committing. Don’t like what you see? Try another one of the many options.
So you want a high quality radiant cut. You want a diamond with lower ratings for clarity and color so you can save money. You want to get a larger carat to emphasize the sparkle and fire. Let’s say… three carats. Why not? It’s a little bigger, but nothing completely absurd. But how do you find the three carat radiant diamond ring of your fiancé’s dreams without breaking the bank?
In Keyzar’s Laboratory
The obvious option for your ring is a natural diamond. Carved out of the earth, formed billions of years ago, beautiful and rare. Beautiful, rare, and expensive. A 3 carat radiant cut natural diamond sells for at least $30,000. Sure, people have spent more on an engagement ring. When Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were engaged the first time, she wore a 6 carat radiant cut pink diamond worth over 2 million dollars.
But assuming you aren’t Ben Affleck, $30,000 is a little much. So maybe you take a look at a lab grown diamond.
Same 3 carats, same radiant cut, but only around $5,000. And the thing about a lab grown diamond is that it’s exactly the same as a natural diamond. It’s still a ten on the hardness scale and it’s made of the same compounds. It was just, as the same suggests, made in a lab instead of under the crust of the earth.
There’s also a third option: a gemstone called moissanite. Moissanite is very similar to a diamond. It’s a 9.5 on the hardness scale, so it will still hold up well. It can be cut and set just like a diamond can. And it’s known for having more fire and brilliance than a diamond. If that's why you want a radiant cut, you should consider choosing moissanite instead of a diamond. And, perhaps the biggest selling point of all (pun intended) is the price. Goodbye three month salary rule, hello savings!
Get Down on One Knee
Alright, so you have your gemstone. You want a three carat radiant. How should you set it? Radiants are typically placed in solitaire or pave settings, but the straight sides also pair well with a triple setting. Consider, for example, The Scarlett or The Kristen rings. Each has sets of side stones that complement the center stone, drawing the eye in. Or if you would prefer a simpler setting, you might try a The Nelly or The Twig . Each keeps the focus on the center stone, although the twig setting has a little more texture compared to Nelly’s plain band. And if you want a pave, The Pave Kamellie is enough to grab your attention without becoming heavy.
Ultimately, the decision is yours. With a myriad of options, Keyzar makes it easy for you to find a ring that will dazzle and amaze without having to empty your pockets.
If you’re on a budget (and who isn’t these days?) but want an engagement ring full of glitz and glamour, choose a radiant cut for the sparkle and a lab grown diamond or moissanite for the price. Just try not to blind your fiancé when you reveal her radiant ring.
