Know The Different Types of Briolette Cut

Briolette cut is one of the most famous types of cuts in the gemstone industry. Cutting a gemstone in a particular shape or facet enhances its beauty. To improve the clarity and the colour, gemstone cut is considered one of the major factors. It, in fact, is a statement in determining the beauty of the stone. 

If the stone features a well-finished cut, it is likely to radiate a defined hue and clearness. There are different cuts, each of which gives a unique look to the stone. Among all these, this cut is one of the special and oldest. This shape was widely used for diamonds, but with time, it has been featured in almost all gems. 

But do you know there are different types of briolette or pendeloque cuts that give a mesmerizing look when studded in jewellery? Well, in this blog, we will discuss what exactly is this cut, its different types, their characteristics, and more.  

Briolette cut is a drop-shaped stone, or more like a pear-shaped stone, cut with triangular or diamond-shaped facets all around. It is given to make the stone elongated. The facets are formed at all sides so that no matter where you look from, the stone looks alluring. 

This gem-cutting technique, where there is no table, crown, or pavilion, is the oldest cutting technique. It is a one-of-a-kind technique that was earlier used to design royal jewelry. The amazing part of this shape is that it is not held by any prongs, bezels, or other settings. A hole is created on one end of the gem (the pointed end), and the bottom surface is left untouched. Thus, it is said that this shape is feasible for durable stones only, like diamonds. 

Take the example of a chandelier, for instance, all the stones that are dangled are mostly in a briolette shape. This cut is generally faceted and given a long shape so that the stones dangle. In ancient jewellery, they are commonly seen in earrings, pendants and necklaces. 

Centuries ago, India was the leading producer of Diamond gemstones. Brilotte cut was also discovered in India around 800 years ago. While the jewels were exported, mostly they were Briolette cut gemstones, so it became one of the most common Gem cutting styles at that time. This unique cut became so popular that the stone cut in it was called royal gemstones. 

Diamonds with this cut resemble a teardrop shape that has triangular facets all around and emits great brilliance. It is believed that the first diamond briolette cut was invented by Louis Van Berquem. This unique shape has great references in history. It became famous when Napoleon Bonaparte gifted her wife, Empress Marie Louise, with a necklace featuring ten Briolette cut diamonds. The design became popular during the vintage, Art Deco, and Edwardian periods. 

But soon they fell out of order when new types of cut came. 

Although, Nowadays, colored diamonds with this cut are becoming more popular, allowing the color to reflect more. 

Please note that the round cut diamonds are different from the briolette shape, as the former has a table, culet, and pavilion, while the latter only has triangular facets all around the gemstone.  

These are timeless cuts that give a unique style to any piece of jewellery. It gives an eye-catching look to the stone and reflects shine with every facet. There are various types of shapes that have been developed nowadays. Let's have a look at these: 

The rose cut features a flat back and domed top, and the entire surface is covered with triangular facets. The facet pattern is arranged in such a manner that it resembles the petals of a rose flower, hence its name. If this cut is combined with a briolette, it gives a mesmerizing shape with a teardrop front surface and a flat back side. Also, it gives a new dimension to the jewellery piece, making the gem stand out from the rest. It is commonly used for earrings and pendants. 

Checkerboard cut in general features square facets all over the surface of the stone, so that the crown and table resemble a checkerboard pattern. With a combination of pendeloque cuts, the gemstones gives off a classy look. The intricate checkerboard shape reflects the rich color of the gem. It goes well with translucent stones such as opal. However, with innovation and new trends coming, transparent gems are also given this shape.  

The concave cut shape has the characteristic feature that it doesn't reflect light but it locks it within itself. It creates a different appearance when combined with a pendeloque shape. Each facet on the surface of the gem reflects shine and brilliance. The concave briolette cut emerald is a beautiful piece that showcases the explicit green color of the stone. This green gemstone with a concave-shaped cut and triangular facets on the surface looks different from the traditional round and pear-shaped emeralds. Thus, this explicit cut gives jewellery a beautiful appearance.  

Briolette cuts are given to the gemstones with the ever-loving heart-shaped variation. It includes facets on the entire surface of the heart-shaped gemstone. Triangular facets cover the entire surface, displaying light reflection and refraction brilliantly, making It look distinctive and beautiful. But this cut is less common than the other types. It is mostly used on semi-precious stones to make bracelets, pendants and necklaces. 

In this type of cut, the stone is elongated and is pointed from both ends. It is similar to a marquise diamond, but the gem is faceted all around the surface, completely 360 degrees. Basically, it combines the marquise cut with the briolette cut. It maximizes the brilliance of the gem, giving it a spark. Marquise Briolette cut rings are most loved because of their unique appearance. 

Traditionally, this cut was only used for diamonds but now it is a popular cut for precious and semi-precious stones. The gemstone-cutting process is time-consuming, thus it contributes to the higher price of the stone. There are several variations of the briolette cut when combined with the traditional cuts that offer a unique aesthetic appeal. The triangular facets on the surface offer high sparkle when looked at from any angle, giving a versatile and timeless style to the jewelry. The entire design of this shape is striking, with a thin chain passing through the top and the bottom one hanging down, giving it a dazzling look.