A pendeloque cut or pear cut, is a pear-shaped modification of the round

brilliant cut A brilliant is a diamond or other gemstone cut in a particular form with 57-58 facets so as to have exceptional brilliance. The word 'brilliant' is also used for a diamond cut in this fashion. The underside is conical, a shape that provides maxim ...

used for

diamond Diamond is a Allotropes of carbon, solid form of the element carbon with its atoms arranged in a crystal structure called diamond cubic. Diamond is tasteless, odourless, strong, brittle solid, colourless in pure form, a poor conductor of e ...

s and other gemstones. The pendeloque cut is sometimes erroneously called

briolette A briolette is a style of gemstone cut (gems), cut. It is an elongated, mostly symmetrical along the main axel, pear shape covered with angular facets usually with a pointed end and no Girdle (gemstone), girdle. It is often drilled to hang as ...

cut, another drop-shaped cutting design. While the briolette is a symmetrical drop shape, the pendeloque cut is flatter and has two different sides: one with a large table

facet Facets () are flat faces on geometric shapes. The organization of naturally occurring facets was key to early developments in crystallography, since they reflect the underlying symmetry of the crystal structure. Gemstones commonly have facets cu ...

and one with a point or ridge. The top of a briolette is attached to the piece of jewelry, usually by a hole drilled in the stone, and a pendeloque cut stone needs to be mounted in a prong setting. The pendeloque is one of the drop cuts for gemstones. The

Smithsonian Institution The Smithsonian Institution ( ), or simply the Smithsonian, is a group of museums, Education center, education and Research institute, research centers, created by the Federal government of the United States, U.S. government "for the increase a ...

has a diamond pendeloque and briolette

necklace A necklace is an article of jewellery that is worn around the neck. Necklaces may have been one of the earliest types of adornment worn by humans. They often serve ceremonial, religious, magical, or funerary purposes and are also used as sy ...

presented by

Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon Bonaparte (born Napoleone di Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French general and statesman who rose to prominence during the French Revolution and led Military career ...

in 1811 to his Empress consort

Marie Louise Marie Louise or Marie-Louise is a French feminine given name, compound given name. In other languages, it may take one of several alternate forms: * Maria Luiza (Bulgarian, Portuguese) * Maria Luisa (Italian, Spanish) * Maria Luise (German) * Mari ...

References

Gemstone cutting {{gemology-stub

See also

References