Cut (gems)
A gemstone desired to be used in jewelry is cut, carved or made into a bead. The best quality rough is cut, also often referred to as faceting. This is done by a lapidary who decides how to reshape the gemstone using his knowledge of the refractive index of gemstones to maximise any particular crystal's colour or play of light.[1] As a general rule, a cut gemstone will be reduced in mass (in carats) by about 50%.[2]
Among the several techniques used to work with gemstones are sawing, grinding, sanding, lapping, polishing, grilling, and tumbling. The diamond cut planning stage is a complex process that requires the cutter to work with unique rough stones. Very often, the location of the inclusions in a rough stone will determine the type of shape to which a diamond may be cut. For economic reasons, most diamonds are cut to retain weight instead of maximizing brilliance.[3] How diamonds have been cut has evolved over time largely to technological advances.[4]
Types
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- Asscher cut
- Baguette cut
- Brilliant cut
- Briolette
- Cabochon
- Cushion cut or old mine cut
- Emerald cut
- Pendeloque cut
- Princess cut
- Radiant cut
- Rose cut
- Trilliant cut, a.k.a. trillian or triangle cut
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "The Secret Teachings of Gemcutting: 50 Classic Gemstone Designs". www.wikidata.org. Retrieved 2025-05-22.
- ^ Cowing, Michael (October 2000). "Diamond Brilliance: theories, measurement and judgement". Journal of Gemmology. 27 (4): 209–227. doi:10.15506/JoG.2000.27.4.209. Archived from the original on 2004-12-16.
- ^ "Why Aren't All Diamonds Cut to Ideal Proportions". Online Diamond Buying Guide. Retrieved 2011-01-07.
- ^ Ogden, Jack (2018). Diamonds: an early history of the king of gems. New Haven (Conn.) London (GB): Yale University Press. ISBN 978-0-300-21566-3.
Further reading
[edit]- Warren, Larter (1936). The Line-Cut Diamond, pp. 19–20. Gemological Institute of America, USA, Vol. 2, No. 2 (Summer 1936)
- Shipley, Robert M. (1936). Gemological Glossary, pp. 7. Gemological Institute of America, USA, Vol. 2, No. 4 (Winter 1936)
- Prim K, Justin, (2021). "The Secret Teachings of Gemcutting: 50 Classic Gemstone Designs"
External links
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Media related to Gem cutting at Wikimedia Commons
