---
title: "Emerald Square Cut Zircon: Pros, Cons and Scores"
description: "Emerald Square Cut in zircon: brilliance 66, fire 76, leakage 23%, 1 pro and 4 cons against the T73, from our ray-traced light census."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/emerald-square
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/stone-cuts/emerald-square-zircon-og.jpg?v=66b91b02
---

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# Emerald Square Cut Zircon: holds its light better in zircon than in diamond

**Buy (instant download, personal-use license):** [Emerald Square Cut 3D files, €9.99 · Personal use](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/d2388961-6665-40de-86ee-2fd2be7a4609) · [Emerald Square Cut cutting files, €6.99 · Personal use](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/8cee9942-6697-487f-be59-4252debde079) · [Get the cube free](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/2d1ab55f-2bd6-4897-a4cd-f3320f54e99e)

Brilliance 66 · Fire 76 · Scintillation 72 · in our census, where the T73 scores 98 · 69 · 80 in zircon

How the Emerald Square Cut handles light in zircon, measured: brilliance 66, fire 76 and 23% leakage, set against the T73 in the same stone and against the same cut in diamond.

[Get the files](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/emerald-square#buy) [Open it in the Simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=emerald-square&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 Emerald Square Cut in zircon, face-up, from our own tracer at refractive index 1.925. Red, green and blue return light to the eye; gray leaks.

## Emerald Square Cut 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 Emerald Square Cut 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 Emerald Square Cut has 49 facets and a total depth of 61.0% of its width; its pavilion mains sit at 28.3°. In zircon, the census returns 66 of 100 for brilliance and 76 for fire, against 98 and 69 for the T73, our benchmark, in the same stone; the same Emerald Square Cut in diamond reads 64 and 84.

## Is zircon good in an Emerald Square? Pros and cons, measured

### Pros

- [Holds its light better in zircon than in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/emerald-square#pro-tiltStab) 92 vs 79

### Cons

- [Heavier than the same cut in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/emerald-square#con-weight) 1.93 vs 1.46 ct
- [Returns less light than the T73 in zircon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/emerald-square#con-brilliance) 66 vs 98
- [Leaks more light than the T73 in zircon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/emerald-square#con-leak) 23 vs 2
- [Less fire in zircon than in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/emerald-square#con-fire) 76 vs 84

Compared with the T73 Round Brilliant in zircon and with the Emerald Square Cut 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 Emerald Square Cut 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 3, level on 1, behind on 4.

- Global 77, the comparison 88, difference −11
- Brilliance 66, the comparison 98, difference −32
- Fire 76, the comparison 69, difference +7
- Scintillation 72, the comparison 80, difference −8
- Spread 108, the comparison 100, difference +8
- Symmetry 100, the comparison 100, difference 0
- Shape-norm 87, the comparison 105, difference −18
- Tilt 92, the comparison 82, difference +10

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

## What the Emerald Square Cut gains in zircon

### Holds its light better in zircon than in diamond

**Tilt 92** against 79 for the Emerald Square Cut in diamond: 13 points higher

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 Emerald Square Cut keeps 92 against 79 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.

Emerald Square Cut in zircon · Tilt 92

0° · 23% leak

10° · 21% leak

20° · 28% leak

30° · 38% leak

Emerald Square Cut in diamond · Tilt 79

0° · 20% leak

10° · 27% leak

20° · 28% leak

30° · 28% 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.

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

## What the Emerald Square Cut gives up in zircon

### Heavier than the same cut in diamond

**1.93 ct** at 6.5 mm, against 1.46 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 1.93 ct here and 1.46 ct in diamond, 6.5 mm across. Nothing about the light changes with it.

*Weight of a 6.5 mm Emerald Square Cut: 1.93 ct in zircon, 1.46 ct in diamond*

A Emerald Square Cut 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 Emerald Square Cut page](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/emerald-square#stones)

### Returns less light than the T73 in zircon

**Brilliance 66** against 98 for the T73 Round Brilliant in zircon: 32 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 Emerald Square Cut returns 66 of 100 and the T73 98. The Emerald Square Cut's pavilion mains sit at 28.3°, the T73's at 40.8°. The maps below show where each stone's light returns from and where it leaks.

Emerald Square Cut in zircon · Brilliance 66

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=emerald-square&stone=zircon&ct=1.00&view=up&map=1&turn=0)

### Leaks more light than the T73 in zircon

**Leakage 23** against 2 for the T73 Round Brilliant in zircon: 21 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 Emerald Square Cut leaks 23% 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.

Emerald Square Cut in zircon · Leakage 23

0° · 23% leak

10° · 21% leak

20° · 28% leak

30° · 38% 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=emerald-square&stone=zircon&ct=1.00&view=up&map=1&turn=0)

### Less fire in zircon than in diamond

**Fire 76** against 84 for the Emerald Square Cut in diamond: 8 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 (0.034 in zircon) and counts a ray as fire when the two directions differ by more than 0.6°. The Emerald Square Cut reads 76 against 84 for the same cut in diamond. The figure is the census's; the 3D Gemstone Simulator renders zircon'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=emerald-square&stone=zircon&ct=1.00&view=up&lighting=sun&turn=0): the Emerald Square Cut in zircon under the sunny-day lighting.

**What helps:** [the DG-Elongated Hexagon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-elongated-hexagon) reads 93 for fire in zircon, 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=emerald-square&stone=zircon&ct=1.00&view=up&lighting=sun&turn=0)

## Our verdict on the Emerald Square Cut in zircon

Pick the Emerald Square Cut in zircon for this: it holds its light better than in diamond when tilted. The catch: it weighs more than in diamond, returns less light than the T73, leaks more light than the T73 and shows less fire than in diamond.

If that catch matters more to you, [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.

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 Emerald Square Cut model we traced.

## Emerald Square Cut Zircon: questions

### Is the Emerald Square a good cut for zircon?

In our census the Emerald Square Cut returns 66 of 100 for brilliance and 76 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 1 pro 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 Emerald Square Cut's pavilion mains sit at 28.3°.

### How much does a Emerald Square weigh in zircon?

At 6.5 mm across, 1.93 ct in zircon, against 1.46 ct for the same cut in diamond (+33%): zircon's specific gravity is 4.665, diamond's 3.52.

### Can I see the Emerald Square 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 Emerald Square Cut files

*6 formats* *Millimeters* *Watertight*

### Emerald Square Cut 3D files

The Emerald Square Cut as exact geometry: 49 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/d2388961-6665-40de-86ee-2fd2be7a4609)

*GemCad* *96 index*

### Emerald Square Cut cutting files

The Emerald Square Cut as a faceting design: 41 + 8 girdles = 49 facets, 96 index, 4-fold 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/8cee9942-6697-487f-be59-4252debde079)

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 Emerald Square Cut: specifications, model and files](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/emerald-square)

### 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)
- [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)
- [DG-Octagonal Kite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-octagonal-kite)

### The Emerald Square Cut in other gemstones

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