What is a table cut gemstone?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
The table cut is one of the earliest forms of diamond cutting, developed from the natural octahedral crystal shape by grinding down one apex to create a large, flat table facet at the top, with a corresponding flat culet or point at the base and simple stepped facets running around the sides. It dates to the 14th and 15th centuries, well before the emergence of brilliant cutting, and it produces a quieter, more subtle glimmer than modern cuts because it has relatively few facets. Table-cut stones appear frequently in antique and museum jewellery from the Renaissance and later periods.
Frequently asked questions
- Is the table cut the same as a step cut?
- The two are related in that both use rectangular, parallel facets rather than the triangular facets of a brilliant cut, so the table cut is sometimes grouped with step cuts. A true step cut like an emerald cut is a much more developed form, with more facets and a precisely proportioned shape; the table cut is far simpler and more historically primitive.
- When was the table cut used?
- The table cut became prominent in Europe during the 14th to 16th centuries, when diamond cutters first learned to work with the natural octahedral form. It was used extensively in jewellery of the Renaissance and Baroque periods before more complex cuts like the rose cut and the brilliant cut were developed.
- Do table-cut diamonds have good brilliance?
- By modern standards, the table cut produces modest light return. The limited number of facets means less internal reflection compared to a brilliant or even a rose cut. Collectors value table-cut stones for their historical character and quiet, glassy depth rather than their sparkle.
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