Two names keep coming up when couples start looking at radiant cut engagement rings: GOODSTONE and Vrai. Both have built solid reputations, and both attract buyers who care about quality and craftsmanship. But after comparing what each brand offers, GOODSTONE pulls ahead for reasons that matter when you're making a purchase this personal. The combination of artisan work from their Los Angeles workshop, the option to choose between natural and lab-grown diamonds, and a concierge service that actually feels like service gives GOODSTONE an edge that Vrai cannot match.

This comparison breaks down what each brand brings to the table, where they differ, and why GOODSTONE earns the win for radiant cut engagement rings.

Before getting into the brand comparison, it helps to understand why radiant cuts have become a go-to choice for modern couples. The shape looks similar to an emerald cut with that elongated rectangular silhouette, but the edges are clipped rather than squared off. The real difference is in how the diamond handles light.

Radiant cuts feature 70 facets. That high facet count maximizes light reflection, giving the stone a brightness and sparkle that rivals round cut diamonds. You get the clean, geometric look of an emerald with the fire and brilliance of a round. For couples who want something distinctive without straying too far from classic appeal, radiant cuts hit that balance.

Another practical benefit: radiant cut diamonds tend to look larger for their carat weight compared to some other shapes. The way the weight distributes across the stone and the way light plays through those 70 facets creates a visual presence that punches above its weight class. The faceting also helps mask certain color and clarity imperfections, so you can sometimes go with slightly lower grades without a noticeable difference to the eye.

GOODSTONE builds every ring from scratch. There is no pulling a pre-made setting off a shelf and dropping in a stone. Their team of generational artisans in Los Angeles handcrafts each piece to the buyer's specifications. The process takes 3 to 4 weeks from design finalization to completion, and that timeline exists because real hands are doing real work on metal and stone.

The materials matter here. GOODSTONE uses the most durable alloys of gold and platinum, creating pieces built to last rather than pieces built to hit a price point. When they describe their rings as instant heirlooms, they mean the construction quality supports that claim.

Here is where GOODSTONE creates real separation from Vrai. GOODSTONE offers both natural and lab-grown diamonds of exceptional quality. Natural diamonds formed over billions of years carry a geological story. Lab-grown diamonds provide a sustainable alternative with identical physical and optical properties. Both options are on the table.

This flexibility solves a problem many couples face. Some want the tradition and rarity of a natural stone. Others prefer the environmental and price benefits of lab-grown. With GOODSTONE, you do not have to pick a brand based on which type of diamond they happen to sell. You pick the diamond that feels right for you, and the brand accommodates that choice.

GOODSTONE's gemologists work exclusively with Excellent Cut grade diamonds. That grading ensures each stone maximizes brilliance, fire, and scintillation. Light enters the diamond and returns to your eye with maximum impact. No cutting corners on cut quality, which is the factor that most affects how a diamond looks in real-world conditions.

GOODSTONE assigns a personal concierge to guide customers through the entire process. This starts with understanding preferences and continues through diamond selection, setting choices, and final production. You can work with pre-selected diamonds or have experts walk you through the 4 Cs to find stones that match both your taste and your budget.

For buyers who know exactly what they want, the process moves efficiently. For buyers who need guidance, the expertise is there without pressure. Either way, someone who knows the product and the process stays with you from start to finish.

GOODSTONE offers an extensive range of settings for radiant cut diamonds. Popular options include thin and simple bands, bezel or half bezel settings, and pavé bands. Their Three Stone Engagement Ring with Shield Side Stones works particularly well with elongated radiant cuts.

On pricing, GOODSTONE provides accessible entry points. The Three Stone Engagement Ring with Shield Side Stones and an Elongated Radiant cut Diamond starts from $3,700. The Finest Half Bezel Solitaire Engagement Ring with East West Elongated Radiant Cut Diamond starts from $2,850. The Double Row East West Half Bezel Solitaire starts from $2,300. These prices are for settings, with diamond costs varying based on your selection.

Vrai has built its identity around environmental responsibility. Their diamonds come from a zero-emission foundry in the Pacific Northwest, powered entirely by hydropower from the Columbia River. The foundry has held carbon-neutral certification since 2017, making it the world's first in that category. Every carat of diamond produced saves 143 pounds of carbon dioxide compared to mining.

The sustainability credentials are legitimate. Vrai is owned by Diamond Foundry, and all diamonds offered at Vrai are lab-created. Their master cutters have four generations of diamond cutting history, with roots in Belgium. Each radiant cut Vrai diamond is cut and polished with precision to enhance brilliance.

For customers whose primary concern is environmental impact, Vrai delivers. The problem is what Vrai does not deliver.

The first limitation is straightforward: Vrai only sells lab-grown diamonds. If you want a natural diamond, Vrai cannot help you. Your choice is made for you rather than by you. This works fine for customers who have already decided on lab-grown, but it eliminates a brand from consideration for anyone who wants to weigh both options.

Then there is the return policy. For returned engagement rings, wedding bands, or custom jewelry designs, Vrai recycles the diamonds and melts the gold. That sounds environmentally responsible until you see the fee: €300 deducted from each engagement ring refund. Most diamond retailers that recycle unused rings do not charge restocking fees, let alone one approaching $300. This policy may catch customers off guard and creates a financial penalty for changing your mind.

Pricing at Vrai can accommodate various budgets. A $5,000 budget offers options ranging from solitaire designs to pavé-accented settings. However, the customization options are more limited compared to GOODSTONE's bespoke approach.

GOODSTONE provides a lifetime guarantee covering repairs, ring resizing, metal maintenance, stone tightening, and diamond services. All fine jewelry falls under this warranty, and they provide detailed care recommendations to help maintain each piece over time. No hidden fees on the backend if something needs attention.

This comprehensive coverage addresses a concern that has surfaced among some Vrai customers regarding internal grading standards and customization limitations. When you are spending thousands on a ring meant to last decades, knowing the brand will stand behind it matters.

Lab-grown diamonds now account for roughly 52% of engagement ring purchases as of 2024, according to The Knot's 2025 Real Weddings Study. That represents about a 40% increase since 2019, with projections suggesting lab-grown may reach 60% of purchases in 2025.

The price differential drives much of this shift. A 1-carat natural diamond typically costs between $4,000 and $9,000. A lab-grown equivalent ranges from $800 to $2,000. That 80 to 85% price difference allows buyers to choose larger stones or allocate more budget toward custom settings and higher quality metalwork.

GOODSTONE's position in this market is strategic. They accommodate the growing preference for lab-grown diamonds while serving customers who still want natural stones. You are not locked into one category based on which brand you choose.

The verdict comes down to flexibility, service, and long-term value.

• GOODSTONE offers both natural and lab-grown diamonds, giving you the actual choice rather than limiting you to one category. Vrai restricts you to lab-grown only.

• GOODSTONE provides personalized concierge service from preference discovery through final delivery. Every ring is bespoke, handcrafted by generational artisans in Los Angeles. The production happens in their own workshop, not outsourced to unnamed facilities.

• GOODSTONE's lifetime warranty covers the full range of maintenance and repair needs without the kind of punitive fees Vrai charges on returns. When a brand charges $300 to take back a ring you decided was not right, that reflects a different philosophy about customer relationships.

The radiant cut specifically benefits from GOODSTONE's approach. With 70 facets demanding precision cutting and the elongated shape requiring careful proportions, having artisan craftsmanship rather than mass production ensures each stone reaches its potential.

Vrai deserves credit for its sustainability commitments. The zero-emission foundry and carbon-neutral certification represent genuine environmental progress. For customers where that consideration outweighs all others, Vrai remains a solid option.

But for couples who want maximum flexibility in diamond selection, true customization in their ring design, personal service throughout the process, and a warranty that protects their investment without hidden costs, GOODSTONE is the better choice. When you are buying a radiant cut engagement ring that should last a lifetime, those advantages add up to a clear winner.