written by Jessica
Portuguese Cut: The Kaleidoscope Stone
What is a portuguese cut diamond?
Welcome back to the blog, friend!
Lately, we’ve been having so much fun working with Portuguese cut stones!
Remember those toy kaleidoscopes that were popular at one point in time? Pointing it to the sky seeing those colourful patterns shift and change… so nostalgic.
The Portuguese cut diamond is like having a capsule kaleidoscope within a stone.✨
If this is the first you’ve heard of the Portuguese cut engagement ring, strap in, and prepare to be amazed as we introduce you to the world of Portuguese cut stones.
What is the difference between a brilliant cut and portuguese cut diamond?
We’ve talked about how rounds have long been the reigning queen of popularity when it comes to engagement rings, but did you know there’s a surprising amount of variety within this classic shape? Let’s begin by taking a tour of some different round cuts so you can compare and contrast the Portuguese cut.
The traditional brilliant cut—with its 57 facets—is designed to maximize sparkle.
We’ve also got the old mine brilliant cut, featuring similarly high facet counts but with larger, irregular facets that create a more organic, “chunky” sparkle.
A rose cut – having only 12-24 triangular facets carry light across each facet in a romantically nuanced way.
We arrive at the Portuguese cut, a masterpiece of precision with a staggering 161 facets—each one a tiny mirror reflecting light at every angle. These intricate triangular and kite-shaped facets create a mesmerizing effect, like a sea of stars in the night sky or shimmering glitter.
Portuguese cut "pavillion"
What truly sets the Portuguese cut apart is its fully faceted pavilion (the bottom of the stone), which creates a breathtaking kaleidoscopic effect. The facets form concentric circular rows, further enhancing the round shape. The result? A truly mesmerizing stone.
This cut demands expert craftsmanship—just look at those tiny, precise facets! Every detail must be executed flawlessly to achieve its signature sparkle. Precision must be key.
If you’re looking for a state of the art cut stone with the most unique sparkle for your engagement ring, we’d love to show you some portuguese cut stones so you can witness these wonders yourself!
In store or online, we’d love to meet with you and get started on your Portuguese cut engagement ring adventure. Love ya.
