Portuguese vs Round Brilliant vs Old Mine Cut Moissanite – Woke Collection

Q: Is the Portuguese cut good for everyday wear?

Yes. Moissanite is 9.25 on the Mohs scale, so it is very durable. Clean it regularly, since the many facets show dirt more easily.

Q: Are Woke moissanites certified?

Yes. Every Woke Collection moissanite comes with a GRA certificate.

Choosing a moissanite ring in India used to mean choosing a round brilliant. Now there are more options, and the three most-asked-about ones are the Portuguese cut, the classic round brilliant and the antique-style old mine cut. All three look round or nearly round from a distance, but they sparkle very differently. Here is how they compare, so you can pick the one that matches your style.

Quick comparison

	Portuguese cut	Round brilliant	Old mine cut
Outline	Round	Round	Softly square, cushion-like
Facets	Around 100 or more	57 to 58	About 58
Sparkle	Fine, glittery, "crushed ice"	Bright and crisp, balanced	Big, chunky flashes, candle-lit glow
Style	Glam and eye-catching	Timeless and classic	Vintage and romantic
Best for	Big statement solitaires, coloured stones	Engagement rings, studs, everyday wear	Heirloom-style rings, unique engagement rings
Ring prices at Woke	From ₹9,899	From ₹9,800	See the Old Mine Revival collection

Portuguese cut: maximum glitter

The Portuguese cut adds extra rows of facets to a round stone, so it has roughly double the facets of a round brilliant. Those extra facets split light into lots of tiny flashes, giving a busy, glittering sparkle that moves constantly as your hand moves. Moissanite already has strong fire (rainbow flashes), and the Portuguese cut makes the most of it.

Choose it if: you want the sparkliest ring in the room, or you love coloured moissanite like blue, blue-green or pink.
Keep in mind: it's a deeper stone, so it sits a little higher. The extra facets show best at 1.5 carats and above.

Shop: 2 CT Portuguese Cut Moissanite Ring (from ₹15,300), 1.5 CT Portuguese Cut Twisted Shank Ring (from ₹13,000), Antique 3.50 CT Blue-Green Portuguese Cut Ring (from ₹16,250). Full guide: Portuguese cut moissanite ring in India.

Round brilliant: the timeless classic

The round brilliant is the world's most popular cut for a reason. Its 57 to 58 facets are designed to return as much light as possible, giving a bright, crisp sparkle that looks good in any setting and any light. It's the safest choice if you want a ring that will never look dated.

Choose it if: you want a classic engagement ring, a solitaire for everyday wear, or studs that go with everything.
Keep in mind: it's the most common cut, so it's less unique than a Portuguese or old mine cut.

Shop: 1.35 CT Round Moissanite Solitaire Ring (from ₹9,800) or browse all moissanite solitaire rings.

Old mine cut: vintage romance

The old mine cut is an antique cut from the 1700s and 1800s, made before modern cutting tools. It has a softly square, cushion-like outline, a high crown, a small table and often a small open culet (a tiny flat facet at the bottom). Instead of fine glitter, it gives broad, chunky flashes and a warm glow, the kind of sparkle you see in heirloom jewellery.

Choose it if: you love vintage jewellery, want an engagement ring that looks like a family heirloom, or prefer bold flashes over glitter.
Keep in mind: the look is softer and less "sharp" than a modern round. That's the charm, but it isn't for everyone.

Shop: our Old Mine Revival collection.

Which cut is right for you?

"I want it to sparkle like crazy": Portuguese cut.
"I want a classic engagement ring": round brilliant.
"I want something vintage and unique": old mine cut.
"I want a coloured stone": Portuguese cut in blue, blue-green or pink.
"I want the biggest look for my budget": any of the three in 925 silver. Moissanite is far more affordable than diamond at every size.

Your hand matters too. Read how to choose a ring for your finger shape.

Does the cut change the price?

A little. Specialty cuts like the Portuguese and old mine need more cutting work than a standard round, so they can cost slightly more at the same size. But in moissanite the difference is small. At Woke, Portuguese cut rings start at ₹9,899 and round moissanite solitaires at ₹9,800. The bigger price drivers are stone size and metal (925 silver, 9K or 14K gold). See moissanite ring prices in India.

See them side by side

Photos never fully show the difference in sparkle. Visit our store in Gole Market, Mahanagar, Lucknow to see all three cuts under the same light, or WhatsApp us on +91 9219707014 and we'll show you on a live video call.

Frequently asked questions

Which moissanite cut sparkles the most?

The Portuguese cut, because it has roughly double the facets of a round brilliant, so it breaks light into many more flashes.

What is the difference between an old mine cut and a round brilliant?

An old mine cut has a softly square outline, a high crown, a small table and broad, chunky flashes. A round brilliant is perfectly round with crisp, bright sparkle.