Description
A brilliant cut is a diamond cut according to the brilliant cut. The brilliant cut enhances a diamond's luster and light reflection. Initially, working a rough diamond did not go much further than cleaving along its natural fracture planes. From the mid-14th century, diamonds were seen in the point cut, where the stone is cut into the shape of an octahedron. Without the top point, this shape developed into the table cut in the 15th century. Around the 16th century, the faceted rose cut emerged. The light reflection of diamonds in this and later forms of the old cut remained low. This changed when Marcel Tolkowsky (Antwerp, December 25, 1899 – New York, February 10, 1991) devised a mathematical method for cutting round diamonds with 58 facets in 1919, during his studies at the University of London. In stones cut this way, the incoming light is optimally reflected by the many facets and the angle at which the facets are cut. As it passes through the diamond, the light is refracted and dispersed into fiery spectral colors. This sparkling color dispersion is called "fire." Diamonds cut in this Tolkowsky cut, or in later refinements of this brilliant cut, are called brilliants.
