The first round brilliant...
Old European Cut
It wasn't until 1874 after Henry Morse patented the steam-powered bruter, that a 'round' shape was achieved. This development enabled the establishment of the round brilliant as the dominant cut.
Old European Cuts/American Cuts are by definition round (though sometimes ‘roundish’). Compared to a modern brilliant, they have a much smaller table, taller crown, shorter star facets, an open culet and shorter lower-half facets which create the blockier (lovely!) flower pattern in the pavilion.
When?
Generally 1890-1930s
Where?
Cut in the United States, Holland, Antwerp or London
Other Names
American Cut
Variations
None known
Performance
Large pops of light from the larger crown facets and a wonderful prismatic flower scintillates from the pavilion.
