---
title: "DG-Octagonal Kite Zircon: Pros, Cons and Scores"
description: "DG-Octagonal Kite in zircon: brilliance 87, fire 75, leakage 12%, 0 pros and 4 cons against the T73, from our ray-traced light census."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-octagonal-kite
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/stone-cuts/dg-octagonal-kite-zircon-og.jpg?v=d5c5576d
---

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# DG-Octagonal Kite Zircon: what our light census measures

**Buy (instant download, personal-use license):** [DG-Octagonal Kite Cut 3D files, €14.99 · Personal use](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/7f8bb426-65ee-4e34-a5ca-8afca2cfd900) · [DG-Octagonal Kite Cut cutting files, €12.99 · Personal use](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/25afd253-e939-428f-b41c-144509a92281) · [Get the cube free](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/2d1ab55f-2bd6-4897-a4cd-f3320f54e99e)

Brilliance 87 · Fire 75 · Scintillation 60 · in our census, where the T73 scores 98 · 69 · 80 in zircon

How the DG-Octagonal Kite handles light in zircon, measured: brilliance 87, fire 75 and 12% leakage, set against the T73 in the same stone and against the same cut in diamond.

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

Light Return map of the DG-Octagonal Kite in zircon, face-up, from our own tracer at refractive index 1.925. Red, green and blue return light to the eye; gray leaks.

## DG-Octagonal Kite Zircon

Zircon has a refractive index of 1.925 to 1.984 and a dispersion of 0.039. Its critical angle, from the low end of that range, is 31.3°, so a round design needs a pavilion of at least 37.2° for head-on light to reflect off both sides of the pavilion and leave through the table. We trace it with one index, 1.955, the midpoint of the published range, and a fire spread of 0.034, 0.86 of the published dispersion. Every picture here is our Light Return tracer at 1.925, and every figure is from the same light census that scores the other gemstones; the 3D Gemstone Simulator shows the DG-Octagonal Kite in zircon live. Zircon is strongly doubly refractive (birefringence up to 0.059), so its back facets can look doubled. Our census traces one index (1.955), so the doubling is not in these figures.

The DG-Octagonal Kite has 41 facets, a table of 55.0% of its width and a total depth of 70.0% of its width; its pavilion mains sit at 43.0°. In zircon, the census returns 87 of 100 for brilliance and 75 for fire, against 98 and 69 for the T73, our benchmark, in the same stone; the same DG-Octagonal Kite in diamond reads 88 and 82.

## Is zircon good in a DG-Octagonal Kite? Pros and cons, measured

### Pros

No figure ahead by our thresholds

### Cons

- [Heavier than the same cut in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-octagonal-kite#con-weight) 1.65 vs 1.25 ct
- [Fewer facets, less sparkle](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-octagonal-kite#con-scint) 60 vs 80
- [Returns less light than the T73 in zircon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-octagonal-kite#con-brilliance) 87 vs 98
- [Leaks more light than the T73 in zircon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-octagonal-kite#con-leak) 12 vs 2

Compared with the T73 Round Brilliant in zircon and with the DG-Octagonal Kite 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 T73

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

Against the T73 Round Brilliant in zircon: ahead on 2, level on 1, behind on 5.

- Global 83, the comparison 88, difference −5
- Brilliance 87, the comparison 98, difference −11
- Fire 75, the comparison 69, difference +6
- Scintillation 60, the comparison 80, difference −20
- Spread 96, the comparison 100, difference −4
- Symmetry 100, the comparison 100, difference 0
- Shape-norm 101, the comparison 105, difference −4
- Tilt 89, the comparison 82, difference +7

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=dg-octagonal-kite&stone=zircon); these are the same census figures as our [Cut Performance Index](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/cut-performance-index).

## What the DG-Octagonal Kite gains in zircon

Against the T73 in zircon and the same cut in diamond, no figure of the DG-Octagonal Kite is ahead by the thresholds above. Its figures are in the wheel and the FAQ; [Zircon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon) ranks every cut we score in zircon.

## What the DG-Octagonal Kite gives up in zircon

### Heavier than the same cut in diamond

**1.65 ct** at 6.5 mm, against 1.25 ct for the same cut in diamond (+33%)

Weight follows specific gravity: 4.665 for zircon against 3.52 for diamond, so the same model at the same size weighs 1.65 ct here and 1.25 ct in diamond, 6.5 mm across. Nothing about the light changes with it.

*Weight of a 6.5 mm DG-Octagonal Kite: 1.65 ct in zircon, 1.25 ct in diamond*

A DG-Octagonal Kite 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 DG-Octagonal Kite page](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/dg-octagonal-kite#stones)

### Fewer facets, less sparkle

**Scintillation 60** against 80 for the T73 Round Brilliant in zircon: 20 points lower

Scintillation follows the number of facets the stone shows: 100 × (1 − e^(−facets / 45)). The DG-Octagonal Kite has 41 facets and the T73 73, so 60 against 80. It depends on the geometry alone, so it is the same in every stone.

*Facet diagram of the DG-Octagonal Kite: its crown, seen face-up, 41 facets in all*

DG-Octagonal Kite · 41 facets · Scintillation 60

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

T73 Round Brilliant · 73 facets · Scintillation 80

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.

**What helps:** [the DG-Miliano](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-miliano) reads 98 for scintillation in zircon, the best of the cuts we score there.

[Try it yourself: Compare the Scintillation spoke in the Cut Performance Wheel](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/cut-performance-wheel?cut=dg-octagonal-kite&stone=zircon)

### Returns less light than the T73 in zircon

**Brilliance 87** against 98 for the T73 Round Brilliant in zircon: 11 points lower

Brilliance is the share of the 3,200 census rays that enter the stone and come back out of the crown towards the viewer. In zircon, whose critical angle is 31.3°, the DG-Octagonal Kite returns 87 of 100 and the T73 98. The DG-Octagonal Kite's pavilion mains sit at 43.0°, the T73's at 40.8°. The maps below show where each stone's light returns from and where it leaks.

DG-Octagonal Kite in zircon · Brilliance 87

T73 Round Brilliant in zircon · Brilliance 98

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-Broken Hearts and Arrows](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-broken-hearts-and-arrows) reads 98 for brilliance in zircon, 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=dg-octagonal-kite&stone=zircon&ct=1.00&view=up&map=1&turn=0)

### Leaks more light than the T73 in zircon

**Leakage 12** against 2 for the T73 Round Brilliant in zircon: 10 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 DG-Octagonal Kite leaks 12% in zircon against 2% for the T73 in zircon. Grey in the maps below is leaking light; the share under each picture is that picture's own.

DG-Octagonal Kite in zircon · Leakage 12

0° · 6% leak

10° · 19% leak

20° · 18% leak

30° · 32% leak

T73 Round Brilliant in zircon · Leakage 2

0° · 1% leak

10° · 6% leak

20° · 15% leak

30° · 26% 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-Broken Hearts and Arrows](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-broken-hearts-and-arrows) reads 2% for leakage in zircon, 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=dg-octagonal-kite&stone=zircon&ct=1.00&view=up&map=1&turn=0)

## Our verdict on the DG-Octagonal Kite in zircon

Against the T73 in zircon and the same cut in diamond, no figure of the DG-Octagonal Kite is ahead by our thresholds. The catch: it weighs more than in diamond, has fewer facets to sparkle with, returns less light than the T73 and leaks more light than the T73.

If that catch matters more to you, [the DG-Miliano](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-miliano) reads 98 for scintillation in zircon, 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 DG-Octagonal Kite model we traced.

## DG-Octagonal Kite Zircon: questions

### Is the DG-Octagonal Kite a good cut for zircon?

In our census the DG-Octagonal Kite returns 87 of 100 for brilliance and 75 for fire in zircon, against 98 and 69 for the T73 in the same stone. Against that round and against the same cut in diamond it has 0 pros and 4 cons by our thresholds; the summary above names them.

### What pavilion angle does zircon need?

At least 37.2° for a round design: zircon's critical angle is 31.3°, 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 DG-Octagonal Kite's pavilion mains sit at 43.0°.

### How much does a DG-Octagonal Kite weigh in zircon?

At 6.5 mm across, 1.65 ct in zircon, against 1.25 ct for the same cut in diamond (+33%): zircon's specific gravity is 4.665, diamond's 3.52.

### Can I see the DG-Octagonal Kite in zircon in 3D?

Yes: the 3D Gemstone Simulator renders it live, with zircon's own refractive index and dispersion. Zircon 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 DG-Octagonal Kite Cut files

*6 formats* *Millimeters* *Watertight*

### DG-Octagonal Kite Cut 3D files

The DG-Octagonal Kite Cut as exact geometry: 41 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

€14.99 · [Personal use](https://digitalgemology.com/licence) [Buy the 3D files](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/7f8bb426-65ee-4e34-a5ca-8afca2cfd900)

*GemCad* *96 index*

### DG-Octagonal Kite Cut cutting files

The DG-Octagonal Kite Cut as a faceting design: 33 + 8 girdles = 41 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

€12.99 · [Personal use](https://digitalgemology.com/licence) [Buy the cutting files](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/25afd253-e939-428f-b41c-144509a92281)

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

[Zircon: optical properties and the top ten cuts](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon) · [The DG-Octagonal Kite: specifications, model and files](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/dg-octagonal-kite)

### Other cuts in zircon

- [T73 Round Brilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/t73-round-brilliant)
- [T105 Round Brilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/t105-round-brilliant)
- [DG-Vitruvio](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-vitruvio)
- [DG-Anteros](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-anteros)
- [DG-Broken Hearts and Arrows](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-broken-hearts-and-arrows)
- [Baguette Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/baguette)
- [Emerald Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/emerald-cut)
- [Marquise Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/marquise)
- [Oval Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/oval)
- [Pear Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/pear)
- [Radiant Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/radiant)
- [Rectangle Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/rectangle)
- [Teardrop Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/teardrop)
- [Asscher Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/asscher)
- [Cushion Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/cushion)
- [Emerald Square Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/emerald-square)
- [Princess Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/princess)
- [Radiant Square Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/radiant-square)
- [Square Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/square)
- [Triangle Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/triangle)
- [Trilliant Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/trilliant)
- [Trillion Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/trillion)
- [Hexagon Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/hexagon)
- [Octagon Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/octagon)
- [Portuguese Bird's Nest Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/portuguese-birds-nest)
- [Old Single Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/old-single)
- [Mazarin Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/mazarin)
- [Peruzzi Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/peruzzi)
- [Old Mine Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/old-mine)
- [Old European Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/old-european)
- [T57 Round Brilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/t57-round-brilliant)
- [DG-M5](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-m5)
- [DG-Miliano](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-miliano)
- [DG-Rafaello](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-rafaello)
- [DG-Bowtie](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-bowtie)
- [DG-Elongated Hexagon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-elongated-hexagon)

### The DG-Octagonal Kite in other gemstones

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