brilliant cut

American  

noun

Jewelry.

1. a cut intended to enhance the brilliance of a gem with the least possible sacrifice of weight, characterized by a form resembling two pyramids set base to base, truncated so as to give a broad table and a very small culet, and having from 18 to 104 facets, 58 being typical.

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Other Word Forms

• brilliant-cut
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of brilliant cut

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

The PA news agency understands the singer's engagement ring is an old mine brilliant cut, and her jewellery was designed by Kindred Lubeck of Artifex Fine Jewellery.

From BBC • Aug. 26, 2025

The main 51.38-carat diamond has a 57-facet traditional round brilliant cut with triple excellent cut, D color and VVS1 clarity.

From Reuters • Aug. 1, 2017

Bruno said “every aspect was gleaming like a brilliant cut diamond,” and Carrie Ann said, “A star is born.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 24, 2015

Only two players really had a shot at him, but Aguayo missed a diving tackle and another Florida State player spun off Austin when he made a brilliant cut at the 20.

From Washington Times • Oct. 25, 2015

The most common of all, and usually applied only to the diamond, is the "brilliant" cut.

From The Chemistry, Properties and Tests of Precious Stones by Mastin, John