Melbourne client care · Made in Surat
The Portuguese cut diamond has more facets than any other cut in the Fenora collection — significantly more than the 58 of a round brilliant. The result is exceptional fire and a complex, extraordinary light performance in a familiar round outline. This guide covers everything about the Portuguese cut.
The Portuguese cut is one of the most faceted diamond cuts in existence. Where a standard round brilliant has 58 facets, the Portuguese cut has significantly more — typically 154 or more facets, arranged in a complex pattern that creates extraordinary light dispersion.
The round outline of the Portuguese cut is familiar — the same circular silhouette as a round brilliant. What is inside is different: the additional facets create more light interactions per unit of stone surface, producing exceptional fire (colour dispersion) and a complex, multi-layered sparkle that goes far beyond what a standard round brilliant produces.
The Portuguese cut was developed in Portugal and is associated with the Portuguese tradition of extremely high-facet-count diamond cutting. It is rare in fine jewellery use because the cutting complexity is significant — the additional facets require more precision and more time than standard brilliant cutting.
| Factor | Round Brilliant | Portuguese Cut |
|---|---|---|
| Number of facets | 57–58 | 154+ (varies by specific cutting design) |
| Outline | Circular | Circular — same silhouette |
| Brilliance | Maximum for 58-facet design | Comparable — high light return |
| Fire (colour dispersion) | High — 0.044 dispersion | Exceptional — more facets create more light dispersion events |
| Sparkle character | Clear, defined flashes | Complex, multi-layered, unusually vivid fire |
| Availability | Most common shape worldwide | Rare — requires specialist cutting expertise |
| Cut grade assessment | IGI Excellent cut grade available | Visual assessment in video — no standardised cut grade for Portuguese |
The Portuguese cut has a round outline — the same as a round brilliant. Any setting designed for round brilliants works for the Portuguese cut. The difference is entirely in what is inside the stone, not in its external geometry.
Book a free online consultation. Yash Chandpara shows Portuguese cut and round brilliant side by side in controlled lighting — the fire difference is immediately visible.
