In order for a diamond to be called a brilliant, the gemstone must have a very special cut. Only when a diamond has been given the characteristic facet cut called brilliant cut is it considered a brilliant. In common language, diamonds and brilliants are often used synonymously, which, to be precise, is wrong. This is because every brilliant is always a diamond, while a diamond does not necessarily have to be a brilliant. A diamond can also be cut in a different way. The word brilliant comes from the French and means radiant or shining, which is significant for the aesthetic character of the stone. The brilliant cut has been known since 1910 and features a particularly intense refraction of the diamond's light, which makes the stone sparkle intensely. In order to transfer a perfect brilliant cut to a diamond, at least 32 facets and the table in the upper part, 24 facets and the calette in the lower part have to be implemented together with the cut of a circular roundel. In addition to the diamond, other gemstones can also be given a brilliant cut, but these may not then be called brilliant, but must remain precisely identifiable, e.g. as a brilliant-cut zirconia.
