Drop Shape

The ‘drop’ or ‘pear’ shape cut of gemstone is unusual and rare.

The first form of the drop shape, the ‘pendeloque’ or ‘briolette’ was invented by a Flemish cutter, Lodewyk van Berquem as early as the 1400s. He is also credited with the discovery of the diamond polishing wheel which allowed him to polish facets and thus better optimise light reflection and ‘sparkle’ within a diamond- a defining moment in the history of diamond cutting.

Some of the most famous diamonds have been fashioned into drop shapes, for example the world’s largest white diamond ever discovered, the Cullinan I or Star of Africa, is a 520.02 drop shape set in the ceremonial sceptre of the British Crown Jewels. This fancy cut did not escape the notice of Hollywood either, as Elizabeth Taylor’s awe inspiring engagement ring given to her by Richard Burton was a drop shape diamond solitaire of approximately 69.42 carats.