What is the difference between brilliant, diamond and gem?

Brilliant, diamond, gem, zirconia… in the world of jewelry, there are many terms we use for the precious stones that star in much of our jewelry. Today we tell you what the difference is between three terms that often lead to confusion: brilliant, diamond and gem.

What is a diamond?

A diamond is a very resistant gem, made up of carbon atoms arranged in a tetrahedral crystalline structure. Known for its exceptional shine and hardness, it is used in high-quality jewelry and in industrial applications that require wear resistance, such as cutting and polishing tools. Its rarity and its history as a symbol of love and commitment make it a universally recognized object of desire.

What is a gem?

A gem is a mineral, rock, or organic material that is valued for its beauty, rarity, and durability, and is used primarily in jewelry and ornaments. These gemstones are distinguished by their optical qualities, such as color, transparency, brilliance and light refraction. The most well-known gems include diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds, although there are many other varieties prized for their uniqueness and aesthetic value.

What does brilliant mean?

The term brilliant refers to a cut, therefore, it is an intrinsic characteristic of the gemstone. The brilliant cut consists of 57/58 facets and is the ideal cut to enhance the beauty of a gem.

It is important to keep in mind that the diamond is the only gem that allows it to refer to itself by using only the term brilliant. That is to say, among the characteristics of a jewel the word brilliant is included, it will always be a diamond.

When we talk about any other gem that is not a diamond, we must put the variety of the gem (that is, its name) and then its cut, such as brilliant-cut emerald, brilliant-cut sapphire, etc.

We hope we have been able to answer all your questions about the difference between brilliant, diamond and gem! If you have any questions left, do not hesitate to contact us. At WESSELTON we are experts in gems, both diamonds and other precious stones.