Gemstone Cuts Gemstone Cuts

Jewelry admirers, have you ever thought about the wonderful piece of gemstone jewelry you are wearing, how it was actually made? Maybe yes or maybe not, don't worry because this question is really not such a hassle. If you seriously want to know how your sterling silver jewelry studded with gemstones are created then don’t tap to the new window because in this complete guide we are going to cover gemstone cutting its process & various gemstone cuts. So, don't turn your eyes for a minute because just glancing at another plot will make you lose some important information about the gemstone cutting & gemstone cuts.

Gemstone Cutting - Meaning

Gemstone Cutting Meaning Gemstone Cutting Meaning

Gemstone cutting is one of the most important features or an important aspect for designing a beautiful piece of jewelry. The ways in which a gemstone is cut affects its appearance, brilliance & overall value. The different cuts of the stone also highlights its different qualities like clarity, color & size. But before moving further towards the most popular gemstone cuts, the process behind them, and how they affect the final appearance of the stone, it's necessary to understand the key factors of gemstone cutting.

Gemstone Cutting & Its Key Factors

    • Shape: The very first factor is shape means overall outline or contour of the gemstone.
    • Faceting: The second key factor is faceting, it refers to the arrangement and angles of flat surfaces on a stone, which can influence how it reflects light.
    • Symmetry: Symmetry is another important factor, the evenness of the facets and the overall cut.
    • Proportions: The connection between the width, depth, and height of the gemstone is known as proportions which is a major key factor of gemstone cutting.

The Process of Gemstone Cutting

Process of Gemstone Cutting Process of Gemstone Cutting

Before delving deep into the plethora of various gemstone cuts, we have to understand the process of how a gemstone is cut and in this process several steps is involves, including:

Planning: Planning is the very first step in the process, the lapidarist examines the rough stone to determine its best shape and size. They consider the stone’s inclusions and color banding, and remove any bad inclusions.

Grinding: The second step is grinding, in this the stone is shaped into a rough form, called a preform, using a grinding wheel. A coolant or lubricant, like water or oil is used to remove debris and prevent overheating.

Sawing: It is the third step, where a thin circular saw blade is used to cut down the raw gemstone material.

Faceting: The next step is faceting, a faceting machine is used to create precise facets on the gemstone. These machines have spinning wheels coated with diamond discs, called Flat Laps, to create facets that enhance the gem’s brilliance.

Polishing: In this step, polishing, specialized equipment is used to remove surface imperfections and create a smooth, reflective surface on the gemstone.

Tumbling: The next & final step in this process is tumbling, in this the stone is turned at slow speeds in a rotating barrel filled with abrasives and water to produce a smooth and shiny finish.

The Gemstone Cuts

Gemstone Cuts Gemstone Cuts

Most Popular

      1. Round Brilliant Cut - Round brilliant cut is the most popular gemstone cut which has circular shape and is designed to maximize the brilliance and sparkle of the gem. It mainly has 58 facets that reflect light beautifully. This cut is usually used for diamonds but also seen in other gemstones like sapphires and emeralds.
      2. Princess Cut - This princess cut has a square or rectangular shape with sharp corners. It is a good cut for colorless or near-colorless stones and great for square-shaped stones. Popular for engagement rings and wedding bands because this modern cut offers a brilliant sparkle and a contemporary feel. It is a cut with many facets that enhance its shine.
      3. Emerald Cut - Rectangular with cut corners, Emerald cut, emphasizes the clarity of the stone. The broad, flat planes allow the stone’s natural color and clarity to shine through, rather than creating dazzling reflections. This cut is most widely used for emeralds, clear quartz, and other transparent gemstones.
      4. Oval Cut - Oval cut is similar to round cut but elongated. This cut provides a mesmerizing balance of brilliance and uniqueness while its elongated shape can give the illusion of a larger stone. It is most common among sapphire, tanzanite, and aquamarine. This cut appears larger, that’s why it's great for smaller gemstones to provide an elegant appearance.
      5. Cushion Cut - Cushion cut has a square or rectangular shape with rounded corners. It also has a vintage appeal that offers great brilliance if cut well. Widely used for garnet, opal & diamonds but can appear less brilliant if cut too shallow or too deep.
      6. Asscher Cut - This cut is similar to the emerald cut but square. It also has a distinctive “hall of mirrors” effect due to the deep, step-like facets. Most commonly used for diamonds as well as lab created diamonds that helps to highlight clarity and creates a stunning vintage appearance.
      7. Radiant Cut - Radiant cut has a rectangular or square shape with trimmed corners. It is a blend of the brilliant and emerald cuts, this cut combines the best of both worlds, sparkle from brilliant facets and a unique shape. Perfect for amethyst, citrine, and topaz because it helps to provide them with good brilliance.
      8. Marquise Cut - The shape of this cut has an oval with pointed ends. It’s a bold, dramatic cut that can appear elegant when set in the right piece of jewelry because marquise cut creates the illusion of a larger stone due to its elongated shape. This cut has a disadvantage that it is more prone to chipping at the pointed ends.
      9. Pear Cut - Pear cut also known as teardrop, is a combination of oval and marquise, with one rounded end and one pointed end. This pear cut shape can elongate the finger and gives a more vintage, sophisticated feel. Topaz and Tourmaline are stones for which pear cut is frequently used.
      10. Heart Cut - The heart cut is a romantic and symbolic cut, most often used in engagement rings or as a token of love. It’s essentially a pear-shaped stone with a cleft at the top. This cut has a disadvantage that sometimes it can be challenging to cut precisely, and its shape can impact how the stone reflects light.

Less Common

        1. Trilliant (Triangle) Cut - Trilliant cut is triangular in shape, as this cut is more popularly used for accent stones. Its shape allows for sharp, clean lines and brilliant light return. This cut provides a modern and bold look and is most broadly used for moldavite, lapis, and larimar.
        2. Baguette Cut - A baguette cut is typically used for accent stones due to its long, thin form. It has step-like facets like the emerald cut but is much narrower. It's often seen in vintage or Art Deco-style jewelry, frequently as side stones.
        3. Cabochon Cut - Cabochon cut has a rounded shape with a smooth, domed top and a flat bottom. Unlike faceted stones, cabochons are polished but not faceted. This stone is also great for opaque stones and those with a complex surface like moonstone, turquoise, jade, and opals.

The Final Takeaways on Gemstone Cuts

Choosing the right gemstone cut is crucial for achieving the desired aesthetic of a piece of jewelry. The cut influences the stone’s brilliance, overall appearance, and even its durability. Whether you prefer the traditional round brilliant, the modern princess cut, or something more unique like the marquise or heart cut, the right cut will bring out the best qualities of the stone.

Each gemstone cut offers its own set of benefits and can be selected based on factors such as the stone’s shape, size, and the desired overall look of the jewelry. Understanding the variety of gemstone cuts available can help you make informed decisions when designing or purchasing jewelry.