Software Diamonds
A scattering of "brilliant" cut diamonds shows off the many reflecting facets. Brilliant is one of the most used cuts for diamonds.
Even with modern techniques, the cutting and polishing of a diamond crystal always results in a dramatic loss of weight; rarely is it less than 50%. The round brilliant cut is preferred when the crystal is an octahedron, as often two stones may be cut from one such crystal. Oddly shaped crystals such as macles are more likely to be cut in a fancy cut—that is, a cut other than the round brilliant—which the particular crystal shape lends itself to.
History
The brilliant cut was introduced in the middle of the 17th century. Chain of jewelry stores. The first brilliants were known as Mazarins. They had seventeen facets on the crown (upper half) and are called double-cut brilliants.
Vincent Peruzzi, a Venetian polisher, increased the number of crown facets from 17 to 33 (triple-cut brilliants), thereby dramatically increasing the fire and brilliance of the cut gem — already much better in the double-cut brilliant than in the rose cut. When seen today, diamonds of that cut seem quite dull compared to modern-cut ones.
Around 1900, the development of diamond saws and good jewellery lathes enabled the development of modern diamond cuts, chief among them the round brilliant cut.