A pendeloque cut or pear cut, is a pear-shaped modification of the round brilliant cut used for diamonds and other gemstones. [1] The pendeloque cut is sometimes erroneously called briolette cut, another drop-shaped cutting design. [2] While the briolette is a symmetrical drop shape, the pendeloque cut is flatter and has two different sides: one with a large table facet and one with a point or ridge. The top of a briolette is attached to the piece of jewelry, usually by a hole drilled in the stone, and a pendeloque cut stone needs to be mounted in a prong setting. [3] The pendeloque is one of the drop cuts for gemstones. [4]
The Smithsonian Institution has a 275-carat (55.0 g) diamond pendeloque and briolette necklace presented by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1811 to his Empress consort Marie Louise. [5]
