On Inventing Cut

Gabi Tolkowsky writes:

Why invent cut? The development of cuts is a young process. It was only at the beginning of the 20th century that the calculations for the best dispersion of light were made. My great uncle did the first calculations and created the modern brilliant cut. He established the parameters, relevant to a round. Rough is not always round. People started to think about following the shape of the rough to get the maximum yield, best dispersion and best light. The brilliant style developed from that and the marquise, oval and pear were cut in that style. Now there are more than 200 shapes of diamonds combined with the different styles of faceting. Why do people go these great lengths? Because we have a fabulous material that refracts light inside.