Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 6, 2026

Pendeloque cut

A pendeloque cut or pear cut, is a pear-shaped modification of the round brilliant cut used for diamonds and other gemstones. The pendeloque cut is sometimes erroneously called briolette 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 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.

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Jun 6, 2026
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An aquamarine with a pendeloque cut source ↗
A pair of diamond earrings with pendeloque cut emeralds in prong settings. source ↗

A pendeloque cut or pear cut, is a pear-shaped modification of the round brilliant cut used for diamonds and other gemstones.1 The pendeloque cut is sometimes erroneously called briolette cut, another drop-shaped cutting design.2 While the briolette is a symmetrical drop shape, the pendeloque cut is flatter and has two different sides: one with a large table facet 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.3 The pendeloque is one of the drop cuts for gemstones.4

The Smithsonian Institution has a 275-carat (55.0 g) diamond pendeloque and briolette necklace presented by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1811 to his Empress consort Marie Louise.5

See also

See also

References

References

  1. Kuiper, Kathleen. "Pendeloque". www.britannica.com. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  2. "Briolette of India Diamond". Internet Stones.COM. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2011.
  3. Seto, Lori. "Engagement Ring Settings 101". theknot.com. XO Group. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  4. Kuiper, Kathleen. "Drop cut". www.britannica.com. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  5. "Napoleon Diamond Necklace | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History". naturalhistory.si.edu. Retrieved 2024-06-21.