Real photos show the most popular gemstone cuts from round brilliant to emerald cut in real light, illustrating how shape, facets, and sparkle differ visually.
Brilliant Cut
The brilliant cut was originally developed specifically for diamonds to maximize their sparkle. It has been improved over several centuries, as determining the ideal angles and proportions to ensure light reflects as effectively as possible within the stone was difficult. The modern round brilliant cut typically features 57 or 58 facets, which are individual flat surfaces. If you look at a properly cut moissanite or diamond from directly above, a specific optical pattern showing eight hearts and eight arrows can be seen. This pattern is created by the interplay of the facets and is especially visible in precisely cut stones. Due to the specific arrangement and angles of the facets, light can be reflected and refracted within the stone. This creates the typical intense sparkle and colorful flashes of light for which the brilliant cut is known.The brilliant cut is used not only for diamonds but also for moissanite and many other gemstones. As a result, it is one of the most widely used gemstone cuts today.
You can find the moissanite brilliant cut stud earrings from the photos here.
Don't confuse:
A diamond is often simply referred to as a "brilliant." In this case, "brilliant" describes a diamond in a brilliant cut. Moissanite or other gemstones in a brilliant cut, however, are simply called moissanite brilliants or gemstone brilliants.
The brilliant cut is often referred to as a "round brilliant cut." Both terms mean the same thing.
The word "brilliant" comes from French and means something like "shiny" or "radiant."
Oval Cut
The oval cut is an elongated version of the round brilliant cut. It has a similar facet pattern, but its elongated shape creates different light reflections. As a result, the sparkle can appear slightly different than that of the round brilliant cut: instead of many small flashes of light, larger, cohesive light reflections can be created.
You can find the moissanite oval cut stud earrings from the photos here.
Pear Cut
The pear cut is also known as the teardrop cut or teardrop shape. It combines the round shape of the brilliant cut with a pointed end, reminiscent of a water drop or a teardrop. The modern pear cut usually has a brilliant facet pattern, which ensures lively light reflections. As with the oval cut, the colored light reflections here are less numerous but larger. Due to its asymmetrical shape, a uniform alignment of the facets is particularly important so that the gemstone looks harmonious and sparkles beautifully.
You can find the moissanite pear cut stud earrings from the photos here.
Heart Cut
The heart cut is a heart-shaped version of the brilliant cut. It has a similar facet pattern that ensures lively light reflections. Unlike the oval or pear cut, the light reflections here often appear finer and more numerous. For the gemstone to sparkle beautifully and for its heart shape to be clearly recognizable, both curves must be as symmetrical as possible, and the indentation at the top as well as the point at the bottom must be clearly defined. Due to its complex shape, cutting it is particularly demanding.
You can find the moissanite heart cut stud earrings from the photos here.
Marquise Cut
The marquise cut is also referred to as the navette cut. It has an elongated shape that tapers to a point at both ends, resembling an eye or a boat. Its facet pattern is similar to the brilliant cut and ensures lively light reflections. Due to its elongated shape, the reflections can appear different than they do with a round brilliant cut. Additionally, the marquise cut makes the gemstone appear optically larger and, when set in a ring, can make the fingers appear longer due to its shape.
You can find the moissanite marquise cut X-cross stud earrings from the photos here.
Princess Cut
The princess cut is also known as the square modified brilliant. It has a square shape with four pointed corners and a special facet pattern that is based on the brilliant cut and ensures lively light reflections. The name "princess" was used for a square gemstone cut in the 1960s. Why this particular name caught on is not entirely clear. If you are looking for a square gemstone with intense sparkle, this cut is a must-see.
You can find the moissanite princess cut stud earrings from the photos here.
Radiant Cut
The radiant cut is considered a rectangular version of the brilliant cut. Its numerous facets ensure intense sparkle and lively light reflections. Unlike the emerald cut, whose large, step-cut facets provide fewer but larger and clearer light reflections, the radiant cut sparkles much more vibrantly. With its beveled corners, it combines an elegant, square shape with the intense sparkle of a brilliant cut.
You can find the moissanite radiant cut stud earrings from the photos here.
Emerald Cut
The emerald cut was originally developed specifically for emeralds because their natural inclusions can make them particularly susceptible to damage. Its beveled corners and large, step-arranged facets give it an elegant, rectangular shape. Unlike the brilliant cut, the focus here is not on many small flashes of light, but on fewer, larger, and clearer light reflections. This makes the emerald cut appear particularly sophisticated and understated. It is suitable for anyone who prefers a clear, geometric shape and places less value on particularly intense sparkle.
You can find the moissanite emerald cut stud earrings from the photos here.
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