Styles for ring design are a dime a dozen. However, because bespoke jewelry and ethical diamonds have started to become more crucial in a jewelry hunt, getting the right diamond means more than just an off-the-rack purchasing experience. One way of satisfying this need is to go for a modified brilliant cut diamond

Facts About the Modified Brilliant Cut Diamond

If you are looking for a diamond ring that stands out in terms of sparkle but retains a timeless vibe, then look no further. The modern brilliant cut diamond may be the best ring for when you exchange vows or say “yes” to your beau.

In this article, you’ll learn more about this unique cut, and how its sparkle may be one of the more attractive ones in the market. This may just be the engagement ring you have been looking for.

All About The Brilliant Cut Diamond

Even though the round diamond cut may be the most popular of all styles, there’s one cut that may give it a run for its money. Couples and jewelry enthusiasts who prefer a more modern take on their jewelry may be more attracted to the sparkle and style of the modified brilliant cut diamond.

What is a modified brilliant cut diamond?

One can say that the brilliant cut diamond did not come out of thin air. Since diamond cutting is a form of art, it also entails a lot of improvements and polishing when it comes to the technique.

Ever since diamond cutting began to create priceless jewelry pieces, some techniques were modified to truly bring out the brilliance of certain cuts. In the case of the brilliant cut diamond, it aimed to bring out the best light reflection for diamond cuts.

Master craftsmanship to get the best sparkle

Getting the best cut takes the best craftsman working on the diamond. Compared to other grading criteria like color, clarity, and carat, cut relies solely on the hands of the diamond cutter.

Another great thing about finding a jewelry cutter who has tons of experience is that they can transform an average diamond into a brilliant one with the right cut. This means getting more value for a lesser diamond by focusing your resources on the skills of the cutter.

Understanding the cut

But what does modified brilliant cut mean and what does it look like? The most common cut for diamonds is the round shape. Hence, the term “modified brilliant cut” pertains to a non-traditional shape of a diamond that has been brilliantly cut.

Compared to regular square diamonds or Princess cut diamonds, a modified brilliant cut diamond could be a square diamond that has more sparkle. Its main advantage is the tendency to have many more shapes and facets, depending on the style of the diamond cutter.

What popular shapes are available for modified brilliant cut diamonds?

Perhaps the most popular and sought after modified brilliant cut would be the Princess cut. The timeless shape combined with the scintillation of the modified cut makes it a current favorite.

However, if you want to explore beyond the usual classics, then this cut may also be to your advantage. Radiant modified cuts can have up to 70 facets. For those who want a softer shape like an oval or pear, these can have anywhere between 56 to 58 facets.

Even the more irregular but interesting shapes like the heart and marquis have their own modified brilliant counterparts. Both styles have 56 to 58 facets.

Be ready for the bow tie effect

Before jumping out of the bandwagon to opt for a unique shape, consider these two possibilities for your stone. First, a bow tie effect can happen when diamonds are cut into fancier shapes.

Bow ties refer to the tendency to have two black triangles facing each other as reflected in the center of the diamond. While this is expected for some fancier shapes, a bigger bow tie can distract from the diamond’s overall look. It takes a skilled diamond cutter to properly cut the facets to get a minimal bow tie effect. Done properly, minimal bow ties means there will be fewer cases of dark areas or triangles in the diamond, regardless of movement.

Mind the girdle

Another potential downside to fancy-shaped diamonds is the thickness of the girdle. Most jewelry enthusiasts prefer a thinner girdle, as this saves your diamond from potential chipping due to excessive weight distribution.

Fancy shapes like the marquise, heart, and pear may have thicker girdles at the edges. This can have two effects on the ring. On the one hand, thicker girdles for fancy shapes tend to be beneficial by protecting them from corners. Yet thicker girdles can also have the drawback of making the stone look smaller in size.

If a fancy shape is non-negotiable for your ring, it’s good to remember that there are other ways to create an illusion of bigness. Setting can certainly play a role in making your diamond look bigger than its carat weight. The right choice of metal can also help in reflecting the right light and color to make the stone even more brilliant.

When choosing a fancier shape, it pays to know the details to properly weigh your options. Having a trusted jeweler who knows how to create settings that emphasize the stone also helps.

Are brilliant cut diamonds more expensive?

Anyone who does not mind the budget would know that the best option is always a round brilliant diamond. This is because it is also considered to be the most expensive diamond cut. It features several facets, which require craftsmanship and experience from a diamond cutter. But in exchange for this, you also get to enjoy a dazzling diamond that has fire and brilliance to make it sparkle on your finger.

That said, there are ways to go about the price tag without sacrificing a good stone. For starters, modified brilliant cuts, which deviate from the round shape, maybe less expensive.

According to With Clarity, diamonds with fancy shapes can be cheaper by up to 25% when compared to the brilliant round cut. Part of the round cut’s price tag is not actually seen in the ring. During the cutting process, a lot of the rough diamond has to be discarded to get a rounded shape. Fancy shapes can consider getting more of the diamond into the actual end product.

The unconventional shape may be less timeless and less preferred by other traditional brides-to-be or jewelry owners. Yet if budget is a big factor, then you can definitely get more in terms of carat size, despite the unique look.

Are brilliant cut diamonds good?

Brilliant cuts diamond require craftsmanship because precision is the name of the cutting game. While there are many ways and shapes to cut a diamond, an ideal proportion has already been developed as early as 1919. Created by gemologist and mathematician Marcel Tolkowsky, the ideal proportion of a diamond supposedly creates a perfect symmetry for light to pass through.

For a diamond to be considered a “brilliant cut,” it needs to have 57 to 58 facets. Additionally, the different parts of the diamond, such as the crown, the pavilion, and the table, all need to have proper proportions to actually absorb and reflect light in an optimal manner.

When done perfectly, this will deliver the hearts and arrows look. From above, the diamond will look like eight arrows are shooting out from the center. From the bottom, it looks like eight hearts are gathered tip to tip and spread out, forming a flower with eight petals.

Old vs. Modern: Which Brilliant Type Meets The Cut?

Next to the two classic shapes, round and Princess cut, the cushion cut serves as a middle option. It blends the shape of two classic looks, giving it a modern twist while retaining a warm brilliance.

Yet even in the cushion cut style, many variations arise. Choosing your style may be a matter of preference and resources.

Old mine and brilliant cuts

If there are classic takes on the cushion cut, they tend to play between these two variants. From the name itself, the old mine cuts may be the pioneer cut, dating back to the 1700s and characterized by a deep pavilion, high crown, and big culet.

The brilliant cut style tends to have the best of both worlds. Its shape optimizes the reflection of light while its larger diameter makes it brilliant enough to be on par with the round diamond.

So, are old cut diamonds worth more? Old mine cuts tend to have a vintage appeal. Because of their dated make, they tend to be less pricey in terms of creation and cutting. However, old cuts tend to be scarce compared to modern cuts, which can jack up their value. It may be more beneficial to consult with your diamond cutter on which type to go with, especially if it is a tailored diamond cut.

Modified cushions: Altering the shape and sparkle

Two recent ways to cut diamonds have become a major favorite for some jewelry enthusiasts. The cushion modified crushed ice has shorter star facets, making the diamond look more compact and dense. When diamond cutters alter a cushion cut into this look, they tend to make it shorter and bottom-heavy.

On the other hand, cushion modified hybrid diamonds marries the crushed ice and the old cut look. This makes for bigger facets, giving the illusion of a bigger diamond compared to carat size.

Comparing Cuts

First-time buyers may be torn between popular styles and traditional looks. It’s good to know how the modified brilliant cut fares with other diamond styles. This quick guide can help you decide if this style will match your current preference and need.

It’s necessary to remember that a round modified brilliant cut diamond is the most basic of modified cuts. Some may classify it as merely a brilliant cut, considering the term “modified” mostly applies to other diamond shapes than the round version.

Square modified brilliant vs princess cut diamond

When it comes to a square shaped engagement ring, the princess cut diamond remains a big favorite. Some jewelry buyers get confused as to the difference between a square modified brilliant diamond and a princess cut diamond. One can say that these two shapes are very similar to the point of overlap.

An ideal Princess cut diamond features a square shape with sharp edges. A square modified brilliant diamond follows the same proportions, though signaled with a technical term. Note that modified brilliant diamonds take off from the common round ones for a more modern appeal.

Cut-cornered rectangular modified brilliant

Not veering far from the design of the cushion modified diamond cut is the cut-cornered rectangular diamond. If the cushion cut blends the two timeless classics to create a softer modern look, the cut-cornered rectangular style goes an edgier way. It has a very similar shape and cut to the cushion diamond

Instead of rounded corners, there are extra cuts made to create sharp edges. The squared off corners give the diamond eight corners, with at least four of them being the same sizes at the edges of the diamond. Jewelry lovers know this shape to be radiant, as per its technical description in the GIA grading.

Cushion cut brilliant vs cushion modified brilliant

Cushion cut diamonds have become favored as more modern spins to timeless classic cuts. Yet even this particular cut has its own modified version. So what is the difference between them?

These two diamonds tend to differ in the faceting arrangements. Cushion brilliant diamonds always follow the round brilliant cut facets. From above the pavilion creates a star-like shape on the stone. In following the shape of the cut, the cushion brilliant diamond tends to have larger facets.

How extra facets make a difference

Compared to this, cushion modified brilliants have extra facets below the girdle. This creates a flower shape pattern. Additionally, they create an extra sparkle, mimicking the more radiant crushed ice look.

While the former has a timeless appeal, the latter has the added value of intense sparkle and a lower price tag. A classic look still wins for most engagement rings, so if you prefer to stand out from the rest for a lower cash out, then this may be a good option.

To know more about different diamond cuts, particularly the popular cushion cut, read “How to Buy the Best Cushion Diamond: Tips From the Pros.”