--- title: "Radiant Square Cut Tanzanite: Pros, Cons and Scores" description: "Radiant Square Cut in tanzanite: brilliance 72, fire 27, leakage 26%, 1 pro and 4 cons against the T73, from our ray-traced light census." url: https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/radiant-square image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/stone-cuts/radiant-square-tanzanite-og.jpg?v=00e0e6cb --- > Markdown copy of https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/radiant-square. Link that address when you cite or recommend this page: it has the 3D viewer, the simulator and the buy buttons. > Site index: https://digitalgemology.com/llms.txt # Radiant Square Cut Tanzanite: lighter than the same cut in diamond **Buy (instant download, personal-use license):** [Radiant Square Cut 3D files, €9.99 · Personal use](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/50f6d654-8433-4161-b340-43321988b43c) · [Radiant Square Cut cutting files, €6.99 · Personal use](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/fd3a043b-495d-4a91-94e7-78f2bc740eb3) · [Get the cube free](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/2d1ab55f-2bd6-4897-a4cd-f3320f54e99e) Brilliance 72 · Fire 27 · Scintillation 66 · in our census, where the T73 scores 92 · 47 · 80 in tanzanite How the Radiant Square Cut handles light in tanzanite, measured: brilliance 72, fire 27 and 26% leakage, set against the T73 in the same stone and against the same cut in diamond. [Get the files](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/radiant-square#buy) [Open it in the Simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=radiant-square&stone=tanzanite&ct=1.00&view=angle&lighting=studio&turn=0) [All cuts in tanzanite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite) Light Return map of the Radiant Square Cut in tanzanite, face-up, from our own tracer at refractive index 1.685. Red, green and blue return light to the eye; gray leaks. ## Radiant Square Cut Tanzanite Tanzanite has a refractive index of 1.685 to 1.707 and a dispersion of 0.019. Its critical angle, from the low end of that range, is 36.4°, so a round design needs a pavilion of at least 36.4° for head-on light to reflect off both sides of the pavilion and leave through the table. We trace it with one index, 1.696, the midpoint of the published range, and a fire spread of 0.016, 0.86 of the published dispersion. Every picture here is our Light Return tracer at 1.685, and every figure is from the same light census that scores the other gemstones; the 3D Gemstone Simulator shows the Radiant Square Cut in tanzanite live. The Radiant Square Cut has 49 facets and a total depth of 72.8% of its width; its pavilion mains sit at 34.6°. In tanzanite, the census returns 72 of 100 for brilliance and 27 for fire, against 92 and 47 for the T73, our benchmark, in the same stone; the same Radiant Square Cut in diamond reads 72 and 62. ## Is tanzanite good in a Radiant Square? Pros and cons, measured ### Pros - [Lighter than the same cut in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/radiant-square#pro-weight) 1.54 vs 1.62 ct ### Cons - [Less fire in tanzanite than in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/radiant-square#con-fire) 27 vs 62 - [Returns less light than the T73 in tanzanite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/radiant-square#con-brilliance) 72 vs 92 - [Leaks more light than the T73 in tanzanite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/radiant-square#con-leak) 26 vs 8 - [Fewer facets, less sparkle](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/radiant-square#con-scint) 66 vs 80 Compared with the T73 Round Brilliant in tanzanite and with the Radiant Square Cut in diamond. A difference counts from 3 points (Brilliance, Fire, Tilt, Leakage), 5 (Scintillation, Symmetry), 4% (face-up size per carat) or 5% (weight); Tilt counts as a pro only for a stone within 5 points of the brilliance it is compared with. [How we measure](https://digitalgemology.com/about/how-we-measure). ## All eight scores against the T73 At a glance: the Radiant Square Cut in tanzanite (white) against the T73 Round Brilliant in tanzanite (dashed): solid white where it reaches further, hatched where it falls short. Each pro and con is explained, with pictures, below. Against the T73 Round Brilliant in tanzanite: ahead on 2, level on 1, behind on 5. - Global 68, the comparison 80, difference −12 - Brilliance 72, the comparison 92, difference −20 - Fire 27, the comparison 47, difference −20 - Scintillation 66, the comparison 80, difference −14 - Spread 101, the comparison 100, difference +1 - Symmetry 100, the comparison 100, difference 0 - Shape-norm 83, the comparison 99, difference −16 - Tilt 87, the comparison 73, difference +14 Face-up light census, a different measure from the Cut Grading Tool; Spread and Shape-norm above 100 sit on the ring. Spread is the census's estimate from depth alone; the face-up size in the pros and cons is measured from each model's outline. [Open it in the Cut Performance Wheel](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/cut-performance-wheel?cut=radiant-square&stone=tanzanite); these are the same census figures as our [Cut Performance Index](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/cut-performance-index). ## What the Radiant Square Cut gains in tanzanite ### Lighter than the same cut in diamond **1.54 ct** at 6.5 mm, against 1.62 ct for the same cut in diamond (−5%) Weight follows specific gravity: 3.35 for tanzanite against 3.52 for diamond, so the same model at the same size weighs 1.54 ct here and 1.62 ct in diamond, 6.5 mm across. Nothing about the light changes with it. *Weight of a 6.5 mm Radiant Square Cut: 1.54 ct in tanzanite, 1.62 ct in diamond* A Radiant Square Cut 6.5 mm across, weighed from the model's measured volume and each stone's specific gravity. [Try it yourself: Weights in every gemstone on the Radiant Square Cut page](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/radiant-square#stones) ## What the Radiant Square Cut gives up in tanzanite ### Less fire in tanzanite than in diamond **Fire 27** against 62 for the Radiant Square Cut in diamond: 35 points lower Fire is the share of the returned light that splits into color at the exit facet: the census traces each exit again at the refractive index minus and plus the fire spread (0.016 in tanzanite) and counts a ray as fire when the two directions differ by more than 0.6°. The Radiant Square Cut reads 27 against 62 for the same cut in diamond. The figure is the census's; the 3D Gemstone Simulator renders tanzanite's fire live. The fire figure is the census's, traced at the refractive index minus and plus the fire spread. [See the fire in the 3D Gemstone Simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=radiant-square&stone=tanzanite&ct=1.00&view=up&lighting=sun&turn=0): the Radiant Square Cut in tanzanite under the sunny-day lighting. **What helps:** [the DG-Elongated Hexagon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-elongated-hexagon) reads 79 for fire in tanzanite, the best of the cuts we score there. [Try it yourself: See the fire in the 3D Gemstone Simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=radiant-square&stone=tanzanite&ct=1.00&view=up&lighting=sun&turn=0) ### Returns less light than the T73 in tanzanite **Brilliance 72** against 92 for the T73 Round Brilliant in tanzanite: 20 points lower Brilliance is the share of the 3,200 census rays that enter the stone and come back out of the crown towards the viewer. In tanzanite, whose critical angle is 36.4°, the Radiant Square Cut returns 72 of 100 and the T73 92. The Radiant Square Cut's pavilion mains sit at 34.6°, the T73's at 40.8°. The maps below show where each stone's light returns from and where it leaks. Radiant Square Cut in tanzanite · Brilliance 72 T73 Round Brilliant in tanzanite · Brilliance 92 Red, green and blue = light returning to the eye; gray = leakage, light that leaves heading down or stays inside. This is the head-on view; the Brilliance score averages a wider cone of light, so the score can differ from what one picture shows. **What helps:** [the DG-M5](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-m5) reads 100 for brilliance in tanzanite, the best of the cuts we score there. [Try it yourself: Open this Light Return map in the simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=radiant-square&stone=tanzanite&ct=1.00&view=up&map=1&turn=0) ### Leaks more light than the T73 in tanzanite **Leakage 26** against 8 for the T73 Round Brilliant in tanzanite: 18 points higher Leakage is the share of the census rays that enter the stone and leave through the pavilion, or through the crown heading down. The Radiant Square Cut leaks 26% in tanzanite against 8% for the T73 in tanzanite. Grey in the maps below is leaking light; the share under each picture is that picture's own. Radiant Square Cut in tanzanite · Leakage 26 0° · 22% leak 10° · 26% leak 20° · 38% leak 30° · 41% leak T73 Round Brilliant in tanzanite · Leakage 8 0° · 9% leak 10° · 19% leak 20° · 30% leak 30° · 32% leak Each frame is the Light Return map with the stone tilted away from you by the angle shown; gray is leakage. The share under each frame is that picture's own. **What helps:** [the DG-M5](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-m5) reads 0% for leakage in tanzanite, the best of the cuts we score there. [Try it yourself: Tilt it yourself in the simulator's light map](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=radiant-square&stone=tanzanite&ct=1.00&view=up&map=1&turn=0) ### Fewer facets, less sparkle **Scintillation 66** against 80 for the T73 Round Brilliant in tanzanite: 14 points lower Scintillation follows the number of facets the stone shows: 100 × (1 − e^(−facets / 45)). The Radiant Square Cut has 49 facets and the T73 73, so 66 against 80. It depends on the geometry alone, so it is the same in every stone. *Facet diagram of the Radiant Square Cut: its crown, seen face-up, 49 facets in all* Radiant Square Cut · 49 facets · Scintillation 66 *Facet diagram of the T73 Round Brilliant: its crown, seen face-up, 73 facets in all* T73 Round Brilliant · 73 facets · Scintillation 80 Scintillation follows the number of facets: more facets, more and smaller flashes as the stone moves. Compare the facet counts under the drawings; each drawing shows only the crown. Drawn from each cut's own model. **What helps:** [the DG-Miliano](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-miliano) reads 98 for scintillation in tanzanite, the best of the cuts we score there. [Try it yourself: Compare the Scintillation spoke in the Cut Performance Wheel](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/cut-performance-wheel?cut=radiant-square&stone=tanzanite) ## Our verdict on the Radiant Square Cut in tanzanite Pick the Radiant Square Cut in tanzanite for this: it weighs less than in diamond. The catch: it shows less fire than in diamond, returns less light than the T73, leaks more light than the T73 and has fewer facets to sparkle with. If that catch matters more to you, [the DG-Elongated Hexagon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-elongated-hexagon) reads 79 for fire in tanzanite, the best of the cuts we score there. Every figure on this page is from our light census, traced at one refractive index: a simulation of the geometry, not a grading report. The 3D files and cutting files below are the same Radiant Square Cut model we traced. ## Radiant Square Cut Tanzanite: questions ### Is the Radiant Square a good cut for tanzanite? In our census the Radiant Square Cut returns 72 of 100 for brilliance and 27 for fire in tanzanite, against 92 and 47 for the T73 in the same stone. Against that round and against the same cut in diamond it has 1 pro and 4 cons by our thresholds; the summary above names them. ### What pavilion angle does tanzanite need? At least 36.4° for a round design: tanzanite's critical angle is 36.4°, from the low end of its refractive index range, and head-on light has to reflect off both sides of the pavilion and leave through the table. The Radiant Square Cut's pavilion mains sit at 34.6°. ### How much does a Radiant Square weigh in tanzanite? At 6.5 mm across, 1.54 ct in tanzanite, against 1.62 ct for the same cut in diamond (-5%): tanzanite's specific gravity is 3.35, diamond's 3.52. ### Can I see the Radiant Square in tanzanite in 3D? Yes: the 3D Gemstone Simulator renders it live, with tanzanite's own refractive index and dispersion. Tanzanite is traced by the same light census as the other gemstones, with its refractive index and fire spread derived from published values, so its scores are on the same scale; the pictures here are our Light Return tracer, and the Cut Performance Wheel sets it against any other cut and stone. ## Get the Radiant Square Cut files *6 formats* *Millimeters* *Watertight* ### Radiant Square Cut 3D files The Radiant Square Cut as exact geometry: 49 planar facets, real-world scale, ready for CAD, rendering, printing and casting. - **STEP** Exact faceted solid for CAD - **3DM** Rhino, closed mesh on its own layer - **STL** Watertight mesh for printing and casting - **OBJ** Mesh for modeling and rendering - **FBX** Blender, 3ds Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, Unity, Unreal - **GLB** Web, AR and quick previews €9.99 · [Personal use](https://digitalgemology.com/licence) [Buy the 3D files](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/50f6d654-8433-4161-b340-43321988b43c) *GemCad* *96 index* ### Radiant Square Cut cutting files The Radiant Square Cut as a faceting design: 41 + 8 girdles = 49 facets, 96 index, 4-fold symmetry, ready for the machine. - **.asc** GemCad design file, 96 index gear - **.csv** Tier table: angles, indices and cutting order - **Diagram** Printable faceting diagram €6.99 · [Personal use](https://digitalgemology.com/licence) [Buy the cutting files](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/fd3a043b-495d-4a91-94e7-78f2bc740eb3) Not sure the files open in your software? [Get the cube free](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/2d1ab55f-2bd6-4897-a4cd-f3320f54e99e): the same six formats, for your email address, used only to send them ([privacy](https://digitalgemology.com/privacy#free-sample)). Questions before you buy? [Email us](mailto:support@digitalgemology.com). ## More gemstones and cuts [Tanzanite: optical properties and the top ten cuts](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite) · [The Radiant Square Cut: specifications, model and files](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/radiant-square) ### Other cuts in tanzanite - [T73 Round Brilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/t73-round-brilliant) - [T105 Round Brilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/t105-round-brilliant) - [DG-Vitruvio](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-vitruvio) - [DG-Anteros](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-anteros) - [DG-Broken Hearts and Arrows](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-broken-hearts-and-arrows) - [Baguette Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/baguette) - [Emerald Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/emerald-cut) - [Marquise Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/marquise) - [Oval Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/oval) - [Pear Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/pear) - [Radiant Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/radiant) - [Rectangle Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/rectangle) - [Teardrop Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/teardrop) - [Asscher Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/asscher) - [Cushion Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/cushion) - [Emerald Square Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/emerald-square) - [Princess Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/princess) - [Square Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/square) - [Triangle Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/triangle) - [Trilliant Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/trilliant) - [Trillion Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/trillion) - [Hexagon Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/hexagon) - [Octagon Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/octagon) - [Portuguese Bird's Nest Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/portuguese-birds-nest) - [Old Single Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/old-single) - [Mazarin Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/mazarin) - [Peruzzi Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/peruzzi) - [Old Mine Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/old-mine) - [Old European Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/old-european) - [T57 Round Brilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/t57-round-brilliant) - [DG-M5](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-m5) - [DG-Miliano](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-miliano) - [DG-Rafaello](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-rafaello) - [DG-Bowtie](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-bowtie) - [DG-Elongated Hexagon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-elongated-hexagon) - [DG-Octagonal Kite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-octagonal-kite) ### The Radiant Square Cut in other gemstones - [Moissanite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/moissanite/radiant-square) - [Diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/diamond/radiant-square) - [Cubic Zirconia](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/cubic-zirconia/radiant-square) - [Ruby](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/ruby/radiant-square) - [Sapphire](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/sapphire/radiant-square) - [Emerald](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/emerald/radiant-square) - [Amethyst](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/amethyst/radiant-square) - [Topaz](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/topaz/radiant-square) - [Spinel](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/spinel/radiant-square) - [Demantoid](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/demantoid/radiant-square) - [Zircon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/radiant-square) - [Tourmaline](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/radiant-square) - [Peridot](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/peridot/radiant-square) - [YAG](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/yag/radiant-square) - [Pyrope](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/pyrope/radiant-square) - [Almandine](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/almandine/radiant-square) - [Spessartine](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/spessartine/radiant-square) - [Grossular](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/grossular/radiant-square) - [Chrysoberyl](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/chrysoberyl/radiant-square) - [Kunzite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/radiant-square) - [Iolite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/iolite/radiant-square) - [Morganite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/morganite/radiant-square) - [GGG](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/ggg/radiant-square) - [Strontium titanate](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/strontium-titanate/radiant-square) - [Synthetic rutile](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/synthetic-rutile/radiant-square)