People generally think of diamond polishing as a shape: round, emeralds, etc. But diamond polishing refers to one thing only: the interaction of the facets of the diamond with the light. Of the four C’s of diamonds – carat, clarity, color and polishing (carat, clarity, color and cut) – polishing is the most complicated to analyze.

The polishing of the radiant is attributed to Henry Grossbard, who invented it in 1977. Radiant polishing diamonds became popular for the first time in the 1980s. Radiant polishing diamonds come in various forms, from perfect squares to a more rectangular shape. Square radiant at first glance are similar to the polishing of the princess cut, but is different due to the cut corners.

Like the Princess, the radiant has a square finish and has bristling polishing facets, both in the crown and in the pavilion. According to the American Gemological Institute (GIA), this polishing is especially suitable for diamonds with round or square corners.

As side stones, radiants are most popular with a center radiant.