Radiant vs. Princess
A princess cut diamond with the corners cut off, right?
Nothing could be further from the truth, cutting off the corners of a princess cut results in a princess cut with cut corners, NOT a true Radiant Cut.
A primary difference between these two cuts involves the completely different way that they reflect light. Radiant Cuts have a circular life resulting from the hybrid nature of the cut. This unique cutting style allows light to enter the diamond from many angles, giving it the ability to reflect light in numerous ways within the diamond. As an Original Radiant Cut, this difference in light reflection translates into a diamond that dazzles with fire.
In contrast, princesses have a "linear life" with the appearance of contrasting lines from light and dark facets. This facet arrangement results in black and white reflections and creates the appearance of a black "X" within the diamond.
The Original Radiant Cut can be square, "squarish or rectangularish", or rectangular. A soft elegant appearance results from the cut corners, and allows it to be safely grasped by numerous prong settings. Princess cuts on the other hand are generally square with sharp corners, leading to a strong, geometric appearance. This feature allows princesses to be channel set side by side. However, the sharp corners make princess cuts quite susceptible to chipping.
CUTTING DIFFERENCES
The invention of the Radiant Cut in 1977 began with a dream to develop a cut that in the words of the inventor "…retained the shape of a traditional emerald cut, but infused it with the brilliance people expected of their diamonds."
Henry Grossbard's vision revolutionized the industry, creating a new interest in square and rectangular shapes. As with every genius invention imitations followed. Driven by a desire to keep more of the rough diamond, and create a knockoff of the radiant cut, manufacturers were able to circumvent the Radiant Cut patent by altering the facet arrangement. As a result, in the early 1980s, the princess cut was born.
The princess cut retains more of the rough diamond by maintaining the shape of the rough stone that exists before cutting begins. This means manufacturers focus on maximizing "yield from the rough" rather than on the beauty of the diamond. In part, far more princesses are available on the market today because they are cheaper for manufacturers to produce. In contrast, the Original Radiant Cut remains committed to protecting the integrity of the inventor's artistic vision.
