Radiant Cut
A rectangular outline with cut corners and full brilliant faceting. The sparkle of a round in the shape of an emerald cut.
It was created in the 1970s specifically to combine the emerald cut's outline with brilliant-style light return.
The cut corners make it far more durable than a princess, which keeps its sharp points.
Because it is a brilliant rather than a step cut, it hides inclusions and colour tints well.
Cushion Cut
A square or rectangular cut with rounded corners, like a pillow. Softer and warmer in character than a princess.
Princess Cut
A square brilliant cut. Nearly as much sparkle as a round, with far less of the rough crystal wasted.
Emerald Cut
A rectangular step cut with cut corners and long parallel facets. Named for the cut used on emeralds.
Cut
How a stone is shaped and faceted. The one thing that most affects how it looks, and the one buyers examine least.