Briolette stones

Briolette jewelry can be made from a variety of stones, whether they are precious or semi-precious stones like diamond, amethyst, citrine, garnet, tourmaline, sapphire, ruby, emerald, you name it. Jewelers who use the briolette cut often inspect the gem carefully to make sure that it is the best cut for that particular stone.

Why briolette?

The briolette cut often brings out the brilliance of a stone and makes it sparkle but in a more refined way. Briolette jewelry emerged around the 17th century when jewelers wanted their gemstones to attract an admirer and not blind him.

Jewelers were also able to maximize the original size of the rough stone, keeping as much of the stone as possible. This is why you can often find briolettes that are elongated or even globular. The early days sure did allow cutters to do as they wished with the rough stone they had in their hands.

Although briolette jewelry lost its charm when round brilliant cuts emerged, they are currently enjoying a resurgence in popularity. These days, briolette cut stones can be found on earrings, necklaces, rings, bracelets, even tiaras.

Buying briolette jewelry

Regardless of whether you’re buying a diamond or a peridot, there are certain things you should look for in briolette jewelry. Look for a rounder shape at the bottom of the ‘pear’. This is the mark of quality. It’s nearly impossible to count the facets, so you’ll have to look for more precise faceting.

As for the setting, check the positions of the drill holes, especially in pendants and earrings. The hole should be in the center and the wall holding the stone in place should be stable. An off-center hole might loosen the stone over time.

And of course, consider the color class and the carat. Most briolette jewelry are priced depending on these two factors.

Who wears briolette jewelry?

The soft triangular shape of briolette jewelry makes it a favorite among women with small, pointed chins or those with oval or inverted triangle faces. Briolette earrings and pendants can sometimes emphasize a squarer jaw, so some women with this face shape opt for other cuts or at least prefer to wear smaller-cut briolettes. It’s a very trendy yet elegant shape and as long as the size and design are carefully chosen, almost anyone can wear it.