Swarovski Rhinestone Swan Brooch
Jewels n Treasures
Affordable vintage costume jewelry
This chart from Jewels n Treasures.com illustrates different types of cuts and shape names for rhinestones,
gemstones, and diamonds.  Since gem cuts and shapes can all have facets of different number and quality, this handy
chart illustrates the differences.  Here is a list of several styles and types of shapes/cuts for both modern and vintage
jewelry.  Some styles are more in use for certain fashion periods such as Art Deco, Art Nouveau, or Modernism.  
Rarer, antique and ancient jewelry stone cuts are also listed below. Photos of specific cuts are forthcoming on this
page so check back often.
Rhinestone and Gemstone Jewelry Shape and Cut Types for Modern Jewelry,
Ancient Jewels, and Vintage Jewelry
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Name
Description
Standard Number
of Facets
American Ideal
See Brilliant
57
American Standard
See Brilliant
57
Baguette
A narrow rectangle. Italian word for "stick."
20
Brilliant
Round or oval with many facets of different shapes and sizes. The
cut increases the brilliance of the stone by minimizing the amount of
light that escapes at the bottom of the stone.
57 round
69 oval
Briolette
A pear shaped gemstone covered all the way around with facets
that comes to a pointed end.  There is no table, crown or pavilion.
A type of rose cut.
84
Buff Top
A cabochon variant for transparent gems with a domed cabochon
like top and a faceted pavilion which draws the eye to the center of
the gem.
 
Cabochon
A stone with the upper side polished to a smooth, rounded domed
surface with no facets. The back of the stone is flat and unpolished.
 Usually round or oval but can be other shapes.
0
Concave
3-dimensional conical facet applied to the pavilion of a gem.
Instead of facets being joined by an angle they are joined with a
groove. Sometimes confused with a millennium cut, but easily
distinguished by lack of a standard number of facets and it's
application only to the pavilion.  
 
Cushion
A square or rectangular shape, but having rounded corners. The
shape is sometimes referred to as a pillow cut. It is a cross between
a modern oval cut and a deep cut with large facets common in the
late 19th century.  Looks somewhat like a sofa "cushion."  Can be
called an "Antique cushion" cut.
64
Emerald
A rectangle shape with diagonal cut corners. The sides are step
cut—there are sloping parallel facets that increase in size as they
approach the widest part of the stone and decrease as they reach
the bottom. Originally developed for emeralds to reduce pressure
exerted during cutting and to protect the stones from chipping.
50
Fancy
An unusual shape, not categorized under any other description (for
example, flowers, leaves, kites, etc.)
 
Heart-Shaped
Basically this is a pear shaped gem with a cleft at the top. Faceted
like a brilliant cut stone, but in the form of a heart.
59
Leo Diamond
Gems that are measured and certified for their high return of light,
a characteristic that controls brilliance
 
Marquise
Boat-shaped, also called a "Navette" and looks like an oval that has
been stretched out at each point.  
57
Millennium
Created by Rogerio Graca around 1999 as a symbol of the new
Millennium.  Has an incredible 1,000 facets
1,000
Mirror
Characterized by extraordinarily large table and thick girdle
consisting of as much as 90% of the width of the gem. Highly
reflective, mirror properties.  Sometimes called "Thin Stone." It is a
variety of the round cut.
 
Octagon
This cut is differentiated from the emerald cut by steps on the
pavilion that are not equidistant.
53
Pear
Shaped like a drop of water—pointed at one end and round at the
other. Sometimes called "teardrop"
71
Princess
Technically known as a "square modified brilliant" cut.  See Square.
76
Quadrillion
A square shaped diamond with sharp corners
49
Radiant
Rectangular stone that is flat on top and brilliant cut underneath.
 
Round
Brilliant Cut
 
Square
The top is square with one step-cut facet on each side.  Also called
Princess cut, quadrillion cut.
57
Trilliant
Based on triangular shape with truncated corners. Can be a
traditional or rounded triangle shape.
43

Antique/Ancient Stone Shapes/Cuts

Diamond cuts can be traced to the Middle Ages, before which time stones were enjoyed in their natural state.  The first
was called the Point Cut and dates from the mid 14th century.
Asscher
Developed early in the twentieth century and gaining popularity
again today. This diamond cut resembles an emerald cut, but is
square, with wide step facets and deep clipped corners that make
the diamond look like an octagon
 
Mazarin
The first brilliant cut, with 17 facets on the upper half.  They are
also called double-cut brilliants.
17
Old European
A diamond cut that is much like the old mine cut, but round in shape
 
Old Mine
Square, but with gently rounded corners and brilliant-style facets.
The crown is typically high, the table is small, and the culet is large
enough to be visible through the top of the stone.
 
Old Single
 
 
Peruzzi
33 facets on the crown
33
Point Cut
 
 
Rose or Rosette
A vintage style, with brilliant-type facets arranged in groups that
make the gemstone resemble an opening rose.
 
Table Cut
   
   
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Treasures.com, all rights
reserved
Copyright JewelsnTreasures, all rights reserved.