Brilliant Cut is defined as?

• A. A cutting style with hearts
• B. A cutting style in which triangular and kite-shaped facets radiate from a gem's center toward its girdle.
• C. A step-cut arrangement of rectangular facets
• D. A pave cut style

Answer: (B)

Brilliant cut is a faceting style focused on maximizing brilliance by creating many small surfaces for light to travel through and reflect back to the observer. The defining feature is that the facets—primarily triangular and kite-shaped—are arranged so light enters the gem, bounces around, and exits through the crown, enhancing sparkle. These facets radiate from the gem’s center toward the girdle, which is why you see a vivid, fire-filled face when viewing a round brilliant cut.

Other descriptions describe different ideas: a cutting style with hearts would reference a decorative pattern or motif rather than the light-performance facet arrangement; a step-cut arrangement uses rectangular facets in a stair-step pattern rather than radiating from the center; a pave cut describes how stones are set close together on a surface, not how a single gem is faceted.