Difference Between Diamond and Brilliant Cut
Our Experienced Diamond Cutter Explains the Difference
If you’ve ever shopped for jewelry, you’ve undoubtedly come across terms like ‘brilliant’ and ‘diamond’. In everyday language, these terms are often used interchangeably. And although they are similar, they do not mean the same thing. The key difference: diamond refers to the gemstone itself, while brilliant describes one of the possible cut styles.
Discover the distinction between a diamond and a brilliant cut below, and learn why we often confuse the two terms. Find out how a brilliant cut is made and why this style is so popular. Johan from Infinity Tree Diamonds is also happy to tell you about an innovative alternative to a natural diamond.
What Is the Difference Between a Diamond and a Brilliant Cut?
A diamond is a natural product, a gemstone made from crystallized carbon that forms over millions of years under high pressure and temperature. It is known for its hardness and brilliance – but only after expert craftsmanship. A rough diamond looks matte and dull. It only starts to sparkle once a diamond cutter skillfully shapes and polishes it.
A brilliant cut, on the other hand, refers to a specific cutting style: round, with 57 or 58 facets. This cut is designed to maximize light reflection and deliver the highest sparkle. In short: a brilliant cut is a diamond that has been shaped in a particular way. Every brilliant is a diamond, but not every diamond is a brilliant. Want to learn more about other gemstone cut styles? Read all about the specifications of a diamond.
“The term ‘brilliant’ is often used incorrectly. People say ‘I bought a brilliant,’ when they actually mean a diamond with a brilliant cut. It’s not just the appearance that determines the stone’s value — the cut plays a crucial role as well. To achieve the perfect sparkle effect, every angle and every facet of the brilliant cut must be exactly right. That’s where true craftsmanship comes in.”
Compare the Characteristics of a Brilliant Cut and a Diamond
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Diamond |
Brilliant Cut |
|
| What is it? | Natural gemstone | A type of cut |
| Shape | Various shapes possible, such as round diamond, heart diamond, or pear diamond | Round table (top) with facets and a pointed culet (bottom) |
| Number of Facets | Depends on the cut style | 57 or 58 facets |
| Result | Diamond to be set in a piece of jewelry | Diamond with a brilliant cut |
Why Do We Often Confuse a Brilliant Cut with a Diamond?
It’s simple: the brilliant cut is the most popular cut for a diamond. Almost every engagement ring, necklace, or earring featuring diamonds includes a brilliant-cut diamond.
“How to recognize a brilliant cut? It’s all in the way it sparkles,” says Johan. “Light hits the table of the brilliant cut and is reflected by the facets like a mirror. This creates a unique brilliance that only a brilliant cut can offer.”
The Formation of Diamonds and Brilliant Cuts
How Diamonds Grow: A Slow but Stunning Process
Diamonds form deep within the Earth’s crust, about 150 to 200 kilometers below the surface. Here, under intense pressure and heat from volcanic activity, carbon atoms bond into a crystal structure, creating rough diamonds.
It takes millions of years for these crystals to have enough time and pressure to fully develop into diamonds. Volcanic eruptions or shifting tectonic plates push these gemstones to the surface through kimberlite pipes. This hardened material forms the host rock of the diamond. Experts locate natural diamonds in rivers, valleys, or waterfalls by analyzing satellite imagery.
How Brilliant Cuts Are Made: Craftsmanship in Every Sparkle
The starting point is a rough diamond. By cutting it into the right shape, a brilliant cut is created. It is essential that the diamond cutter forms 57 or 58 facets. You can think of these flat surfaces as tiny mirrors that capture and reflect light in a specific way.
A classic brilliant cut has 57 facets. If you also count the culet — the small facet at the bottom — you reach 58 facets. The crown, the top part of the brilliant cut, has 33 facets. The pavilion, or the bottom part, has 24 facets.
Which Is More Expensive: a Brilliant Cut or a Diamond?
For a brilliant-cut diamond, you typically pay more than for a rough diamond of the same size. “That makes sense,” explains Johan, “because besides the material itself, you’re also paying for the cutter’s craftsmanship and the quality of the cut. Additionally, the color and weight also influence the price of your diamond. It’s entirely possible for a pure brilliant cut to cost more than a larger rough diamond.”
A Lab-Grown Diamond as an Alternative
In addition to natural diamonds and brilliant-cut diamonds, there are now also lab-grown diamonds or synthetic diamonds. In appearance, they are identical to natural diamonds, yet they are produced much more sustainably. The creation of lab-grown diamonds has less environmental impact than the mining of natural ones. Moreover, they are also more affordable.
At Infinity Tree Diamonds, we consciously choose environmentally friendly and high-quality diamonds. “In fact, we create memorial diamonds from organic material,” Johan adds. “The basis for these ashes diamonds consists of the ashes or hair of a deceased loved one, pet, or cherished object. Enjoy a tangible memory of your precious moments and carry them with you forever.”
Infinity Tree Diamonds, Your Expert in Lab-Grown Diamonds
Your unique story is at the heart of everything we do. Johan, our experienced diamond cutter, personally visits you to collect the organic material. From there, your ashes diamond grows under the careful supervision of our specialists. Read all about our process. You can choose the cut of your lab-grown diamond yourself: pear diamond cut, heart diamond cut, or brilliant cut — the choice is yours.
Rely on our professional guidance to grow your ashes diamond. Whatever shape you prefer, at Infinity Tree Diamonds you are in expert hands. Still have questions about our offerings? Discover the possibilities for your love diamond or memorial jewel. Get in touch — we are happy to assist you with expertise and genuine care.