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Tolkowsky, Marcel

tol·kow·sky, mar·cel | ˈtōl-kau̇-skē mär-sel

noun

A mathematician who defined the proportions necessary for maximum brilliance from a round diamond brilliant cut

Marcel Tolkowsky was a mathematician who lived from 1899 to 1991 and is credited with the creation of the modern round brilliant cut of diamond. Born to a family of jewelers, Tolkowsky studied engineering and mathematics and used his training to develop what is now the most popular cut of diamond in the world for its ability to maximize brilliance and fire in the resulting stones. He published a well-regarded book, Diamond Design, that discussed the benchmarks by which diamond cutting would be defined in the United States going forward. There are some minor changes to Tolkowsky’s original designs, but his work remains formative to the current state of diamond cutting.