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Cushion Cut Diamonds vs. Radiant Cut Diamonds

Though diamond shopping can be a fun and exciting experience, it can also be quite a challenging one. Despite the popularity of diamonds, they are still a bit of an enigma to the common shopper. Most shoppers can’t identify different diamond cuts by sight alone, let alone rattle off the names of various fancy-cuts. If you count yourself among this kind of diamond shopper, don’t worry! You’re not doomed to make a terrible choice or walk away with a diamond you’re not happy with. This guide will walk you through the differences between two of the most gorgeous diamond cuts: cushion and radiant. Here’s everything you need to know!

1 Cushion-Cut Diamond

Cushion cut diamonds typically feature a square or rectangular shape with curved edges. It takes its name from a common household item — a pillow. With its rounded corners and square shape, this cut resembles a cushion, albeit a very sparkly one. This fancy cut utilizes the classic round-brilliant cut as its muse. From the round-brilliant, the cushion takes intricate cuts that enhance the stone’s brilliance. It’s definitely seeing a significant rise in popularity but is still unique enough to satisfy anyone looking for a less common diamond shape.

Pros of Cushion-Cut Diamonds

  • This cut is bound to catch the eye of anyone in the room, as it boasts great brilliance and fire.
  • You’ll save big when choosing a cushion-cut, as it’s generally less expensive than its round-brilliant counterpart.
  • This cut is distinct and a great option for anyone looking for a more custom-tailored look.

Cons of Cushion-Cut Diamonds

  • You’ll have to buy a diamond with a high clarity rating, as cushion cuts can highlight imperfections in a stone.

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2 Radiant-Cut Diamonds

The radiant cut was created by Henry Grossbard in 1977, like a cut that enhances the brilliance of a stone. This cut is a combination of round-brilliant and emerald-cut diamonds. This diamond features the distinct step-cuts that emerald-cut diamonds are known for and the sparkle of round-brilliants. Though unique, radiant cut engagement rings are exceedingly popular, especially among those that have more eclectic styles.

Pros of Radiant-Cut Diamonds

  • If your stone features a bit of color or imperfection, you can leverage a radiant cut, as they tend to hide flaws and disguise color tints.
  • Regardless of your style preference, a radiant-cut diamond will pair well with anything!
  • Radiant-cut diamonds maximize brilliance, as they are modeled after round-brilliants their sparkle is unrivaled.

Cons of Radiant-Cut Diamonds

  • If you’re looking for a cut that provides the illusion of depth like an emerald-cut, this is not the cut for you!
  • Radiant-cut diamonds come in varying sizes — some more square and some more rectangular. Although this gives the cut more diversity, it also means one more decision to make sure of your shopping process.

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Cut Comparison

Both radiant and cushion-cut diamonds are modeled after the famed round-brilliant diamond cut. They are great options for anyone looking for a diamond that will reflect tons of light. Finally, where you’ll find distinction is in the step-cuts in a radiant cut diamond — cushion cuts lack this coveted feature. Overall, these cuts are very similar, and their biggest difference comes from their shape.

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Conclusion

Shopping for a diamond engagement ring can certainly be a challenging experience, but it’s one worth going through. With a little bit of background information and some research, you’ll be able to walk away with the diamond of your dreams. Good luck!

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