What Is A Brilliant Cut Diamond?

Have you heard the phrase “Rome wasn’t built in a day”? The same is true when it comes to creating the ideal diamond cut. The round brilliant cut diamond is the most popular diamond shape for an engagement ring today. The diamond was created over six centuries and by many craftsmen from one generation to the next. As a result, the diamond cutting process has undergone significant changes over time. But what is a brilliant cut diamond, and why is it thought to be the best cut?

Before the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) established the 4C’s (Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight) in 1939, there was no universal grading system for determining the quality and value of a diamond. While nature determines the diamond’s color, clarity, and carat weight, the diamond’s cut is in the hands of a master craftsman. As a result, the only characteristic of a diamond that is not determined when it is formed is its cut.

The Structure Of A Round Brilliant Cut Diamond

A diamond’s shape alone doesn’t determine its brilliance—what truly matters is how it’s cut. A brilliantly cut diamond is designed to maximize sparkle by carefully arranging its facets, the flat surfaces that interact with light. The most popular and admired of these is the Round Brilliant Cut, known for its exceptional ability to reflect light and create stunning brilliance.

When we talk about a Round Brilliant Cut diamond, we’re referring to a specific way of cutting and polishing a diamond to enhance its sparkle, all while preserving as much of the original gem’s weight as possible. Imagine the diamond as two pyramids placed base to base, with each facet precisely angled to bounce light within the stone before reflecting it back out. This meticulous design is what gives the Round Brilliant Cut its famous sparkle.

A Round Brilliant Cut diamond features 57 individual facets. These facets are the small, polished surfaces that cover the diamond, each playing a crucial role in how light is captured and reflected. Of these 57 facets, 33 are located on the upper part of the diamond, known as the crown, and 24 are found on the lower part, called the pavilion.

Here’s A Breakdown Of These Facets:

Crown Facets: The crown is the top portion of the diamond, and it includes:

• Table Facet: The large, flat surface at the very top of the diamond. This is the main window into the diamond and the point where light enters.
• 8 Star Facets: These are triangular facets surrounding the table, designed to direct light from the table to the rest of the crown.
• 8 Kite Facets: Named for their kite-like shape, these facets extend from the star facets down to the girdle, helping to distribute light throughout the diamond.
• 16 Upper Girdle Facets: Located just above the diamond’s girdle (the widest part of the diamond), these facets help in reflecting light back through the table.

Pavilion Facets: The pavilion is the lower part of the diamond, responsible for reflecting light back through the crown. It includes:

• 16 Lower Girdle Facets: These are the counterparts to the upper girdle facets, located just below the girdle, helping to direct light back toward the crown.
• 8 Pavilion Main Facets: These are larger facets that extend from the girdle to the culet, playing a key role in how light is bounced within the diamond.
• Culet (optional): A tiny facet at the very bottom of the pavilion. While not all diamonds have a culet, when present, it’s meant to prevent damage to the diamond’s point but is so small that it doesn’t affect the diamond’s overall brilliance.

The Round Brilliant Cut Diamond

Before the great Kimberley diamond rush, which occurred after the first discovery of diamonds in South Africa in 1867, diamonds were cut and polished in a very different way than the brilliant cut diamonds that we see today. The anatomy of a diamond has evolved over time, each step closer to achieving the ideal cut. Table facets have grown in size, while lower half facets and star facets have grown in length. The diamond’s culet appears to be smaller than before. The new cutting techniques were refined over time to ensure that the diamond’s fire, scintillation, and brilliance were maximized.

A Diamond Of Ideal Proportions

Marcel Tolkowsky, a Belgian-born gemologist and mathematician, established the best way to design, cut, and polish the ideal diamond in 1919. He spent years figuring out the ideal proportions and symmetry for a diamond to reach its full potential. A diamond, according to Marcel, is nothing more than a system of mirrors and windows. As a result, the stone’s table was designed mathematically to capture as much light as possible.
Light enters the diamond through the top and exits through the top when it is cut and polished according to Marcel’s scientific calculations, giving it maximum fire, brilliance, and scintillation. To be classified as a brilliant cut diamond, a stone must have 57 facets (58 facets if it is polished with a culet). The diamond’s crown must have one table facet, eight bezel facets, eight star facets, and sixteen upper girdle facets. On the other hand, the pavilion must have eight main pavilion facets, sixteen lower girdle facets, and a culet.
But that’s not all; the pavilion, crown, and table must all be proportioned correctly. If the diamond’s table is too small, the stone will not reflect enough light. If the table is too large, the diamond will lose too much light. The pavilion cannot be too deep or too shallow; otherwise, light will be lost through the bottom, resulting in reduced brilliance.
The round shape, in addition to the cut, was created to give the ring a sense of warmth, empathy, and dependability. The shape also adds to the love and commitment symbol, perfectly capturing your relationship. Another reason why the round brilliant cut was chosen as the ideal engagement ring by brides.

Eight Hearts Diamond Cut, A True Hearts And Arrows Diamond

A Hearts and Arrows diamond, also known as the Marcel Tolkowsky Super Ideal Cut diamond – Shimansky’s Eight Hearts diamond, is created when a diamond is cut to perfect proportion and symmetry. What distinguishes the Marcel Tolkowsky and the Eight Hearts diamond from the average round brilliant cut diamond, though? Eight perfect arrows can be seen from the top of the diamond, while eight perfect hearts can be seen from the bottom. This is evidence that the diamond has been polished to perfection in terms of proportion and symmetry.

The Brilliant 10

Shimansky, a jewelry company, elevated the round brilliant cut diamond to new heights. The jeweller set out to create the world’s most brilliant cut diamond after years of research and constant pursuit of perfection. The end result is a 71-faceted round brilliant cut diamond with 10 arrows on top and 10 hearts on the bottom. What’s the end result? A diamond that is 25% brighter than any other round brilliant cut diamond on the planet. The art of diamond shaping has progressed from being beautiful to being absolutely magnificent over time. The world’s most skilled craftsmen create diamond rings that reach their full potential thanks to Tolkowsky’s research. Today, brides-to-be all over the world can wear a ring with the maximum amount of fire, brilliance, and scintillation.

Why The Brilliant Cut Diamond Is Ideal For Engagement Ring 

The round brilliant cut has become synonymous with engagement rings, and for good reason. Its timeless appeal, unmatched brilliance, and versatility make it the preferred choice for couples around the world. This section could explore the emotional and symbolic significance of the brilliant cut in engagement rings, highlighting how its classic design complements a wide range of settings and styles. It could also touch on the practical benefits, such as its durability and ability to hide inclusions, making it a sensible choice for everyday wear.

Conclusion

To sum up, the round brilliant cut diamond is a popular choice for engagement rings. It is a lovely design and bright sparkles catch the light beautifully, making it a favorite among many. The way it is cut ensures that each diamond shines brightly and looks great in any setting. Plus, its strong shape helps it stay safe from damage and hide small flaws, which makes it practical for everyday use. With its classic look and meaning of love, the round brilliant cut diamond is a perfect symbol for couples starting their journey together. Whether you’re looking for an engagement ring or just enjoy the beauty of diamonds, the round brilliant cut is sure to impress.