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Radiant vs. Cushion vs. Princess Comparison Chart
Radiant | Cushion | Princess | |
|---|---|---|---|
Appearance | Features a rectangular or square shape with cropped corners and a brilliant-cut facet pattern. It blends the shape of an emerald cut with the sparkle of a round brilliant. | Square or elongated with curved sides and rounded corners. Their soft pillow-like shape and antique facet pattern create a romantic, vintage-inspired look. | Perfectly square or slightly rectangular shape with sharp corners and a modern, geometric look. It’s second only to round brilliant cuts in popularity. |
Sparkle | Crushed ice brilliance with balanced fire | Chunky or crushed ice sparkle with soft fire | Sharp, intense brilliance |
Size Perception | Appears larger | Appears slightly smaller | Appears larger |
Color Masking | Moderate | Low (shows more color) | High (hides color well) |
Clarity Masking | High (hides inclusions well) | Moderate (depending on the faceting style) | High (hides inclusions well) |
Durability | Strong (cropped corners) | Very strong (rounded corners) | More fragile (sharp corners) |
Price | Moderate | Moderate | Lower |
Ideal For | If you’re looking for a modern yet versatile shape that balances brilliance, durability, and a flattering elongated look. | If you love vintage-inspired elegance, prefer soft sparkle, and want a durable shape with timeless charm. | If you’re drawn to bold brilliance, clean lines, and want maximum sparkle at an excellent value. |
Appearance and Sparkle Comparison
All three cuts are known for their impressive sparkle, but they reflect light differently:
- Radiant cut diamonds are known for their dazzling brilliance and intense sparkle. With 70 brilliant-style facets, this cut creates a "shattered glass" or crushed ice effect that combines the best qualities of round and emerald cuts. The result is a lively display of light, making radiant diamonds a favorite among those who want modern brilliance with a geometric shape.
- Cushion cuts produce a soft, romantic sparkle that is more diffused than that of radiant or princess cuts. Traditional cushion cuts feature large facets that reflect light in broad flashes, while modified cushion cuts have extra facets that sometimes create a crushed ice effect. The cushion cut offers more fire — the rainbow-colored flashes — which gives it a vintage glow and antique appeal.
- The princess cut is one of the most brilliant square-shaped diamonds. Its unique faceting pattern, typically with 57 or 76 facets, creates a sharp, fiery sparkle. The faceting breaks up light into smaller reflections, resulting in intense white brilliance. This makes it second only to the round brilliant in terms of sparkle performance.
Choose a princess or radiant cut for maximum brilliance or opt for a cushion cut if you prefer a softer, more romantic sparkle.
Size Comparison
Some shapes appear larger than others at the same carat weight. The way a diamond appears size-wise can vary significantly between these cuts:
- Radiant cut diamonds often appear larger than cushion cuts of the same weight. Their rectangular or square outline, combined with a large table (the flat top surface), creates the illusion of a greater face-up size. Elongated radiants are especially flattering on the hand and can make fingers appear longer.
- Cushion cuts tend to look smaller face-up compared to other shapes. They are usually cut deeper, meaning more of the diamond’s weight is hidden below the girdle. Their rounded corners also soften the outline, making them appear more compact from the top view.
- Princess cuts look large because of their square shape and sharp corners. The cutting style maximizes the diamond surface area, allowing it to appear bigger than cushion cuts and comparable to radiant cuts of the same carat weight.
Radiant and princess cuts offer a larger face-up appearance than cushion cuts. Elongated radiants provide the most finger coverage.
Color Comparison
Certain shapes show color more readily. Diamond color appears differently in each cut:
- Radiant cuts show more color than princess cuts but slightly less than cushion cuts. Their faceting disperses light in a way that can mask some color, especially in square-shaped stones. However, elongated radiant diamonds may display more visible color at the ends.
- Cushion cuts tend to hold color, meaning you may see more warmth in lower color grades. Their large open facets can accentuate yellow or brown tints, especially when viewed from above. That said, they are often chosen for fancy-colored diamonds because their structure retains and enhances color.
- Princess cuts hide color very well due to their intricate faceting. The sparkle they create breaks up any tint and can make a diamond appear up to one color grade whiter. This makes them ideal for buyers considering diamonds in the H-J range set in white metals.
Princess cuts offer the best performance in hiding color. For radiant and cushion cuts, aim for G-H or higher in white gold or platinum settings.
Clarity Comparison
Some shapes hide inclusions better than others. The visibility of inclusions varies between these cuts:
- Radiant cuts have complex faceting that helps hide inclusions well. Even at slightly lower clarity grades like VS2 or SI1, many radiant diamonds appear eye-clean.
- Cushion cuts, especially traditional ones, have larger facets that can reveal inclusions more easily. Modified cushion cuts with a crushed ice pattern can mask flaws better. It’s generally recommended to choose at least a VS2 clarity grade for cushion cuts to avoid visible inclusions.
- Princess cuts are great at hiding inclusions due to their brilliant faceting. However, flaws near the pointed corners should be avoided, as these are structural weak points. With careful selection, even SI1-SI2 princess cuts can appear eye-clean.
Radiant and princess cuts are better at disguising inclusions than cushion cuts. Avoid inclusions near corners in princess cuts.
Durability Comparison
The structural integrity of a diamond shape affects how well it holds up to everyday wear. Durability varies significantly between these three cuts:
- Radiant cuts are durable and practical for daily wear. Their cropped corners make them less vulnerable to chipping compared to princess cuts. When properly set with protective prongs, radiant cuts are a good balance of sparkle and strength.
- Cushion cuts are among the most durable fancy shapes. Their rounded edges minimize stress points and make them less likely to chip or break. They are a great option for those with active lifestyles or who prefer low-maintenance jewelry.
- Princess cuts are stunning but more prone to chipping due to their sharp corners. These corners must be protected with V-prongs, bezel, or channel settings. They're not the best choice for people who are rough on their hands or work in hands-on professions.
Cushion cuts are the most durable. Radiant cuts are a close second, while princess cuts require extra care.
Price and Value Comparison
The price of a diamond is influenced by many factors — including carat weight, color, clarity, and cut quality — but shape also plays a significant role. Shape affects both how much rough diamond is lost during cutting and how desirable the final stone is in the market. Here's how radiant, cushion, and princess cuts compare:
- Radiant cut diamonds are generally priced in the mid-range compared to other shapes. They are typically more affordable than round brilliants but may cost slightly more than cushion or princess cuts, especially if the stone has an ideal length-to-width ratio or is elongated — an increasingly popular style. The faceting pattern of radiant cuts is complex, which requires skill and precision, contributing to the overall cost. That said, radiant cuts offer excellent value for those seeking brilliance and a larger face-up appearance without the premium of a round brilliant.
- Cushion cut diamonds are often priced moderately and can represent good value, particularly in the traditional (non-modified) style. Because cushion cuts retain more of the rough diamond during cutting than round brilliants, they are typically more affordable. Elongated or modified cushion cuts, however, may command a higher price due to growing demand and more complex cutting techniques. Additionally, buyers may be able to save money by selecting slightly lower color grades, as cushion cuts in yellow or rose gold settings can still appear warm and beautiful.
- Princess cuts are among the most cost-effective diamond shapes per carat. This is largely because the cutting process is highly efficient — princess cuts retain the majority of the original rough diamond. With less waste and strong consumer demand, princess cuts tend to be priced lower than both radiant and cushion cuts of comparable quality. This affordability makes them especially appealing to shoppers seeking maximum sparkle and size on a budget.
Princess cuts offer the best price-per-carat value due to efficient cutting. Cushion cuts are moderately priced with excellent value in lower color grades. Radiant cuts sit slightly above both in price, especially in elongated or ideal proportion styles.
Elongated Cushion vs. Elongated Radiant vs. Elongated Princess Diamonds
Elongated cuts offer a stretched silhouette that can visually lengthen the finger and increase face-up appearance. The elongated versions of these cuts offer distinct advantages:
- Elongated radiant diamonds usually have a length-to-width ratio between 1.20 and 1.40. They combine intense sparkle with a flattering shape that creates an elegant finger-lengthening effect. These diamonds are ideal for those who love brilliance and want a substantial appearance.
- Elongated cushion cuts typically fall within a 1.15 to 1.30 ratio range. They maintain the soft, romantic charm of traditional cushions while offering a slightly larger face-up size.
- Elongated princess cuts are less common and usually have a length-to-width ratio of 1.05 to 1.12. While they preserve the sharp brilliance of the square version, they can appear slightly less balanced and require careful setting to protect the corners.
Elongated radiant and cushion cuts are more popular and flattering. Elongated princess cuts are rare and stylistically bold.
Radiant vs. Cushion vs. Princess Diamond FAQ
Is a cushion cut or princess cut more expensive?
Princess cut diamonds are generally less expensive than cushion cut diamonds of the same carat weight and quality. This is primarily due to the cutting process, as princess cuts typically retain more of the rough diamond compared to cushion cuts, resulting in less waste and lower costs.
What is the difference between cushion cut and princess cut?
The main differences between cushion and princess cuts are:
- Shape: Cushion cuts have rounded corners while princess cuts have sharp corners
- Appearance: Cushion cuts have a softer, more vintage look; princess cuts are more modern and geometric
- Brilliance: Princess cuts typically display more brilliance, while cushion cuts offer more fire
- Durability: Cushion cuts are more durable due to their rounded corners
What is the difference between radiant cut and cushion cut?
The key differences between radiant and cushion cuts include:
- Corners: Radiant cuts have cropped corners; cushion cuts have rounded corners
- Faceting: Radiant cuts have 70 facets in a brilliant pattern; cushion cuts typically have 58 facets
- Appearance: Radiant cuts have a more geometric appearance; cushion cuts look softer
- Sparkle: Radiant cuts offer more consistent brilliance; cushion cuts often display more fire
Do cushion cuts sparkle as much as princess cuts?
Princess cuts generally display more brilliance (white light return) than cushion cuts. However, cushion cuts often exhibit more fire (colored light dispersion), especially in modified cushion cuts with the "crushed ice" effect. The sparkle of cushion cuts tends to be softer and more romantic, while princess cuts produce a sharper, more intense sparkle.
Which cut looks biggest: radiant, cushion, or princess?
For the same carat weight:
- Princess cuts typically appear largest due to their sharp corners and larger table
- Radiant cuts appear next largest, especially in elongated forms
- Cushion cuts generally appear smallest because they tend to carry more weight below the girdle
What is the difference between an elongated radiant cut diamond and an elongated cushion cut diamond?
The main difference between an elongated radiant cut and an elongated cushion cut diamond lies in their shape and faceting style. Radiant cuts have sharp, cropped corners and a more geometric shape, while cushion cuts have rounded corners and a softer, pillow-like appearance. Radiant cuts are known for their intense brilliance and sparkle due to their numerous facets, while elongated cushion cuts offer a softer, more romantic sparkle with larger facets.
Choose an elongated radiant if you prefer:
- Maximum brilliance and fire
- A more contemporary, geometric appearance
- Consistent sparkle across the entire diamond
- A more modern aesthetic
Choose an elongated cushion if you prefer:
- A softer, more romantic sparkle
- Vintage-inspired character
- The traditional "pillow" silhouette
- More versatility between modern and antique styling
Both shapes offer exceptional beauty with elongated proportions, making any an excellent choice for those seeking an alternative to traditional round brilliants.
