ForMatter/Finishes/cut/Pear cut (teardrop modified brilliant)
finish_cut_pear

Pear cut (teardrop modified brilliant)

cut · polished · pear-shaped, teardrop, pendeloque

A teardrop modified brilliant — round on one end, pointed on the other. Reads as a directional gem, classically used as the drop in a pendant or the focal point of an asymmetric ring. Antique pendeloque cuts trace to 17th-century France; the modern 56–58-facet pear stabilized in the 1930s.

Modified brilliant with 56–58 facets, length-to-width 1.45–1.75 classical. Geometry combines a round-brilliant rounded end with a marquise-style pointed end; the point requires V-prong protection. 'Bow-tie' risk along the short axis as with oval; mitigated by pavilion-angle selection. Optimum proportions: table 53–63%, depth 58–62%, point sharp not chipped. Diamond / sapphire / morganite / aquamarine / topaz all cut well. Vintage pendeloque cuts have fewer facets (~32) and read more as a faceted teardrop than a brilliant.

character — directional teardrop, asymmetric brilliance, focal-point register.

Finish properties

  • levelpolished
  • subcategoryfacet style, modified brilliant
  • applies togemstone

Second life

reversibilityzero — gemstone facet styles are subtractive and committed once cut; "re-cutting" produces a smaller stone with different proportions. The original cut is permanent.
blocks substrate recyclingno
renewabilitymoderate — chips and edge wear can be re-polished with minor weight loss; major damage requires full re-cut to a new pattern.

GIA Diamond Grading and Identification literature; AGS American Gem Society cut-grading standards.