---
title: "T73 Round Brilliant Tourmaline: Pros, Cons and Scores"
description: "T73 Round Brilliant in tourmaline: brilliance 86, fire 50, leakage 14%, 2 pros and 4 cons against the T57, from our ray-traced light census."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/t73-round-brilliant
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/stone-cuts/t73-round-brilliant-tourmaline-og.jpg?v=6947c6a1
---

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# T73 Round Brilliant Tourmaline: lighter than the same cut in diamond

**Buy (instant download, personal-use license):** [T73 Round Brilliant Cut 3D files, €9.99 · Personal use](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/ef4dd7c5-5809-4458-9eff-1beb80ed52c0) · [T73 Round Brilliant Cut cutting files, €6.99 · Personal use](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/44ee6a27-8125-4940-b84c-6c368746df74) · [Buy the bundle](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/e5c79ed5-97ce-4c62-8dbe-3a172c6245ba?checkout%5Bdiscount_code%5D=BUNDLE25) · [Get the cube free](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/2d1ab55f-2bd6-4897-a4cd-f3320f54e99e)

Brilliance 86 · Fire 50 · Scintillation 80 · in our census, where the T57 scores 85 · 50 · 72 in tourmaline

How the T73 Round Brilliant handles light in tourmaline, measured: brilliance 86, fire 50 and 14% leakage, set against the T57 in the same stone and against the same cut in diamond.

[Get the files](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/t73-round-brilliant#buy) [Open it in the Simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=t73-round-brilliant&stone=tourmaline&ct=1.00&view=angle&lighting=studio&turn=0) [All cuts in tourmaline](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline)

Light Return map of the T73 Round Brilliant in tourmaline, face-up, from our own tracer at refractive index 1.603. Red, green and blue return light to the eye; gray leaks.

## T73 Round Brilliant Tourmaline

Tourmaline has a refractive index of 1.603 to 1.655 and a dispersion of 0.017. Its critical angle, from the low end of that range, is 38.6°, so a round design needs a pavilion of at least 38.6° for head-on light to reflect off both sides of the pavilion and leave through the table. We trace it with one index, 1.629, the midpoint of the published range, and a fire spread of 0.015, 0.86 of the published dispersion. Every picture here is our Light Return tracer at 1.603, and every figure is from the same light census that scores the other gemstones; the 3D Gemstone Simulator shows the T73 Round Brilliant in tourmaline live. Tourmaline is strongly doubly refractive (birefringence up to 0.040), so its back facets can look doubled. Our census traces one index (1.629), so the doubling is not in these figures.

The T73 Round Brilliant has 73 facets and a total depth of 61.7% of its width; its pavilion mains sit at 40.8°. In tourmaline, the census returns 86 of 100 for brilliance and 50 for fire, against 85 and 50 for the T57, our benchmark, in the same stone; the same T73 Round Brilliant in diamond reads 93 and 78.

## Is tourmaline good in a T73? Pros and cons, measured

### Pros

- [Lighter than the same cut in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/t73-round-brilliant#pro-weight) 0.90 vs 1.01 ct
- [More facets, more sparkle](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/t73-round-brilliant#pro-scint) 80 vs 72

### Cons

- [Less fire in tourmaline than in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/t73-round-brilliant#con-fire) 50 vs 78
- [Loses more light when tilted than in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/t73-round-brilliant#con-tiltStab) 74 vs 92
- [Leaks more in tourmaline than in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/t73-round-brilliant#con-leak) 14 vs 2
- [Dimmer in tourmaline than in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/t73-round-brilliant#con-brilliance) 86 vs 93

Compared with the T57 Round Brilliant in tourmaline and with the T73 Round Brilliant in diamond. A difference counts from 3 points (Brilliance, Fire, Tilt, Leakage), 5 (Scintillation, Symmetry), 4% (face-up size per carat) or 5% (weight); Tilt counts as a pro only for a stone within 5 points of the brilliance it is compared with. [How we measure](https://digitalgemology.com/about/how-we-measure).

## All eight scores against the T57

At a glance: the T73 Round Brilliant in tourmaline (white) against the T57 Round Brilliant in tourmaline (dashed): solid white where it reaches further, hatched where it falls short. Each pro and con is explained, with pictures, below.

Against the T57 Round Brilliant in tourmaline: ahead on 4, level on 3, behind on 1.

- Global 78, the comparison 77, difference +1
- Brilliance 86, the comparison 85, difference +1
- Fire 50, the comparison 50, difference 0
- Scintillation 80, the comparison 72, difference +8
- Spread 100, the comparison 101, difference −1
- Symmetry 100, the comparison 100, difference 0
- Shape-norm 93, the comparison 92, difference +1
- Tilt 74, the comparison 74, difference 0

Face-up light census, a different measure from the Cut Grading Tool; Spread and Shape-norm above 100 sit on the ring. Spread is the census's estimate from depth alone; the face-up size in the pros and cons is measured from each model's outline. [Open it in the Cut Performance Wheel](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/cut-performance-wheel?cut=t73-round-brilliant&stone=tourmaline); these are the same census figures as our [Cut Performance Index](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/cut-performance-index).

## What the T73 Round Brilliant gains in tourmaline

### Lighter than the same cut in diamond

**0.90 ct** at 6.5 mm, against 1.01 ct for the same cut in diamond (−11%)

Weight follows specific gravity: 3.13 for tourmaline against 3.52 for diamond, so the same model at the same size weighs 0.90 ct here and 1.01 ct in diamond, 6.5 mm across. Nothing about the light changes with it.

*Weight of a 6.5 mm T73 Round Brilliant: 0.90 ct in tourmaline, 1.01 ct in diamond*

A T73 Round Brilliant 6.5 mm across, weighed from the model's measured volume and each stone's specific gravity.

[Try it yourself: Weights in every gemstone on the T73 Round Brilliant page](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/t73-round-brilliant#stones)

### More facets, more sparkle

**Scintillation 80** against 72 for the T57 Round Brilliant in tourmaline: 8 points higher

Scintillation follows the number of facets the stone shows: 100 × (1 − e^(−facets / 45)). The T73 Round Brilliant has 73 facets and the T57 57, so 80 against 72. It depends on the geometry alone, so it is the same in every stone.

*Facet diagram of the T73 Round Brilliant: its crown, seen face-up, 73 facets in all*

T73 Round Brilliant · 73 facets · Scintillation 80

*Facet diagram of the T57 Round Brilliant: its crown, seen face-up, 57 facets in all*

T57 Round Brilliant · 57 facets · Scintillation 72

Scintillation follows the number of facets: more facets, more and smaller flashes as the stone moves. Compare the facet counts under the drawings; each drawing shows only the crown. Drawn from each cut's own model.

[Try it yourself: Compare the Scintillation spoke in the Cut Performance Wheel](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/cut-performance-wheel?cut=t73-round-brilliant&stone=tourmaline&vs=t57-round-brilliant)

## What the T73 Round Brilliant gives up in tourmaline

### Less fire in tourmaline than in diamond

**Fire 50** against 78 for the T73 Round Brilliant in diamond: 28 points lower

Fire is the share of the returned light that splits into color at the exit facet: the census traces each exit again at the refractive index minus and plus the fire spread (0.015 in tourmaline) and counts a ray as fire when the two directions differ by more than 0.6°. The T73 Round Brilliant reads 50 against 78 for the same cut in diamond. The figure is the census's; the 3D Gemstone Simulator renders tourmaline's fire live.

The fire figure is the census's, traced at the refractive index minus and plus the fire spread. [See the fire in the 3D Gemstone Simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=t73-round-brilliant&stone=tourmaline&ct=1.00&view=up&lighting=sun&turn=0): the T73 Round Brilliant in tourmaline under the sunny-day lighting.

**What helps:** [the Oval Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/oval) reads 80 for fire in tourmaline, the best of the cuts we score there.

[Try it yourself: See the fire in the 3D Gemstone Simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=t73-round-brilliant&stone=tourmaline&ct=1.00&view=up&lighting=sun&turn=0)

### Loses more light when tilted than in diamond

**Tilt 74** against 92 for the T73 Round Brilliant in diamond: 18 points lower

Tilt is how much of its face-up brilliance a stone keeps when the census tilts it 20° about its long axis, with 2,200 rays. The T73 Round Brilliant keeps 74 against 92 for the same cut in diamond. The tilt strips below show the maps at 0°, 10°, 20° and 30°, with each picture's own leak share under it.

T73 Round Brilliant in tourmaline · Tilt 74

0° · 10% leak

10° · 28% leak

20° · 32% leak

30° · 37% leak

T73 Round Brilliant in diamond · Tilt 92

0° · 4% leak

10° · 2% leak

20° · 9% leak

30° · 14% leak

Tilt is how much of its own face-up light a stone keeps when tilted. Each frame is the Light Return map with the stone tilted away from you by the angle shown; gray is leakage. The share under each frame is that picture's own.

**What helps:** [the DG-Miliano](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/dg-miliano) reads 86 for tilt in tourmaline, the best of the cuts we score there.

[Try it yourself: Compare the Tilt spoke in the Cut Performance Wheel](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/cut-performance-wheel?cut=t73-round-brilliant&stone=tourmaline&vs=t73-round-brilliant&vsstone=diamond)

### Leaks more in tourmaline than in diamond

**Leakage 14** against 2 for the T73 Round Brilliant in diamond: 12 points higher

Leakage is the share of the census rays that enter the stone and leave through the pavilion, or through the crown heading down. The T73 Round Brilliant leaks 14% in tourmaline against 2% for the same cut in diamond. Grey in the maps below is leaking light; the share under each picture is that picture's own.

T73 Round Brilliant in tourmaline · Leakage 14

0° · 10% leak

10° · 28% leak

20° · 32% leak

30° · 37% leak

T73 Round Brilliant in diamond · Leakage 2

0° · 4% leak

10° · 2% leak

20° · 9% leak

30° · 14% leak

Each frame is the Light Return map with the stone tilted away from you by the angle shown; gray is leakage. The share under each frame is that picture's own.

**What helps:** [the DG-M5](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/dg-m5) reads 4% for leakage in tourmaline, the best of the cuts we score there.

[Try it yourself: Tilt it yourself in the simulator's light map](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=t73-round-brilliant&stone=tourmaline&ct=1.00&view=up&map=1&turn=0)

### Dimmer in tourmaline than in diamond

**Brilliance 86** against 93 for the T73 Round Brilliant in diamond: 7 points lower

The same cut in diamond returns 93. Tourmaline bends light less than diamond: its critical angle is 38.6°, diamond's 24.4°, so a pavilion facet has to be steeper before light reflects off it rather than passing out. The T73 Round Brilliant's pavilion returns less of tourmaline's light than of diamond's, as the two maps show.

T73 Round Brilliant in tourmaline · Brilliance 86

T73 Round Brilliant in diamond · Brilliance 93

Red, green and blue = light returning to the eye; gray = leakage, light that leaves heading down or stays inside. This is the head-on view; the Brilliance score averages a wider cone of light, so the score can differ from what one picture shows.

**What helps:** [the DG-M5](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/dg-m5) reads 96 for brilliance in tourmaline, the best of the cuts we score there.

[Try it yourself: Open this Light Return map in the simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=t73-round-brilliant&stone=tourmaline&ct=1.00&view=up&map=1&turn=0)

## Our verdict on the T73 Round Brilliant in tourmaline

Pick the T73 Round Brilliant in tourmaline for this: it weighs less than in diamond and has more facets to sparkle with. The catch: it shows less fire than in diamond, loses more light when tilted than in diamond, leaks more than in diamond and returns less light than in diamond.

If that catch matters more to you, [the Oval Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/oval) reads 80 for fire in tourmaline, the best of the cuts we score there.

Every figure on this page is from our light census, traced at one refractive index: a simulation of the geometry, not a grading report. The 3D files and cutting files below are the same T73 Round Brilliant model we traced.

## T73 Round Brilliant Tourmaline: questions

### Is the T73 a good cut for tourmaline?

In our census the T73 Round Brilliant returns 86 of 100 for brilliance and 50 for fire in tourmaline, against 85 and 50 for the T57 in the same stone. Against that round and against the same cut in diamond it has 2 pros and 4 cons by our thresholds; the summary above names them.

### What pavilion angle does tourmaline need?

At least 38.6° for a round design: tourmaline's critical angle is 38.6°, from the low end of its refractive index range, and head-on light has to reflect off both sides of the pavilion and leave through the table. The T73 Round Brilliant's pavilion mains sit at 40.8°.

### How much does a T73 weigh in tourmaline?

At 6.5 mm across, 0.90 ct in tourmaline, against 1.01 ct for the same cut in diamond (-11%): tourmaline's specific gravity is 3.13, diamond's 3.52.

### Can I see the T73 in tourmaline in 3D?

Yes: the 3D Gemstone Simulator renders it live, with tourmaline's own refractive index and dispersion. Tourmaline is traced by the same light census as the other gemstones, with its refractive index and fire spread derived from published values, so its scores are on the same scale; the pictures here are our Light Return tracer, and the Cut Performance Wheel sets it against any other cut and stone.

## Get the T73 Round Brilliant Cut files

*6 formats* *Millimeters* *Watertight*

### T73 Round Brilliant Cut 3D files

The T73 Round Brilliant Cut as exact geometry: 73 planar facets, real-world scale, ready for CAD, rendering, printing and casting.

- **STEP** Exact faceted solid for CAD
- **3DM** Rhino, closed mesh on its own layer
- **STL** Watertight mesh for printing and casting
- **OBJ** Mesh for modeling and rendering
- **FBX** Blender, 3ds Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, Unity, Unreal
- **GLB** Web, AR and quick previews

€9.99 · [Personal use](https://digitalgemology.com/licence) [Buy the 3D files](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/ef4dd7c5-5809-4458-9eff-1beb80ed52c0)

*GemCad* *96 index*

### T73 Round Brilliant Cut cutting files

The T73 Round Brilliant Cut as a faceting design: 57 + 16 girdles = 73 facets, 96 index, 8-fold mirror-image symmetry, ready for the machine.

- **.asc** GemCad design file, 96 index gear
- **.csv** Tier table: angles, indices and cutting order
- **Diagram** Printable faceting diagram

€6.99 · [Personal use](https://digitalgemology.com/licence) [Buy the cutting files](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/44ee6a27-8125-4940-b84c-6c368746df74)

Save with a bundle: the T73 Round Brilliant Cut 3D files are also in [Jewelry Essentials 3D](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/#bundles), 10 cuts for €29.99 until 1 December, then €39.99 (€99.90 as single files). [Buy the bundle](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/e5c79ed5-97ce-4c62-8dbe-3a172c6245ba?checkout%5Bdiscount_code%5D=BUNDLE25).

Not sure the files open in your software? [Get the cube free](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/2d1ab55f-2bd6-4897-a4cd-f3320f54e99e): the same six formats, for your email address, used only to send them ([privacy](https://digitalgemology.com/privacy#free-sample)).

Questions before you buy? [Email us](mailto:support@digitalgemology.com).

## More gemstones and cuts

[Tourmaline: optical properties and the top ten cuts](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline) · [The T73 Round Brilliant: specifications, model and files](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/t73-round-brilliant)

### Other cuts in tourmaline

- [T105 Round Brilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/t105-round-brilliant)
- [DG-Vitruvio](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/dg-vitruvio)
- [DG-Anteros](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/dg-anteros)
- [DG-Broken Hearts and Arrows](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/dg-broken-hearts-and-arrows)
- [Baguette Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/baguette)
- [Emerald Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/emerald-cut)
- [Marquise Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/marquise)
- [Oval Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/oval)
- [Pear Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/pear)
- [Radiant Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/radiant)
- [Rectangle Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/rectangle)
- [Teardrop Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/teardrop)
- [Asscher Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/asscher)
- [Cushion Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/cushion)
- [Emerald Square Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/emerald-square)
- [Princess Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/princess)
- [Radiant Square Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/radiant-square)
- [Square Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/square)
- [Triangle Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/triangle)
- [Trilliant Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/trilliant)
- [Trillion Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/trillion)
- [Hexagon Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/hexagon)
- [Octagon Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/octagon)
- [Portuguese Bird's Nest Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/portuguese-birds-nest)
- [Old Single Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/old-single)
- [Mazarin Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/mazarin)
- [Peruzzi Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/peruzzi)
- [Old Mine Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/old-mine)
- [Old European Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/old-european)
- [T57 Round Brilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/t57-round-brilliant)
- [DG-M5](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/dg-m5)
- [DG-Miliano](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/dg-miliano)
- [DG-Rafaello](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/dg-rafaello)
- [DG-Bowtie](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/dg-bowtie)
- [DG-Elongated Hexagon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/dg-elongated-hexagon)
- [DG-Octagonal Kite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/dg-octagonal-kite)

### The T73 Round Brilliant in other gemstones

- [Diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/diamond/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Moissanite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/moissanite/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Cubic Zirconia](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/cubic-zirconia/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Ruby](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/ruby/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Sapphire](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/sapphire/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Emerald](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/emerald/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Amethyst](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/amethyst/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Topaz](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/topaz/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Spinel](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/spinel/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Demantoid](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/demantoid/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Zircon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Peridot](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/peridot/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Tanzanite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/t73-round-brilliant)
- [YAG](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/yag/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Pyrope](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/pyrope/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Almandine](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/almandine/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Spessartine](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/spessartine/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Grossular](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/grossular/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Chrysoberyl](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/chrysoberyl/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Kunzite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Iolite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/iolite/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Morganite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/morganite/t73-round-brilliant)
- [GGG](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/ggg/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Strontium titanate](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/strontium-titanate/t73-round-brilliant)
- [Synthetic rutile](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/synthetic-rutile/t73-round-brilliant)