Introduction to Faceting
The cutting of gemstones has gained enormous popularity in recent years - and with good reason.
Gem-cutting not only provides a creative outlet but can be profitable as well.
Most gems that can produce a high degree of brilliancy, colour, or fire--for example, diamonds, aquamarines, and sapphires--receive a facet cut.
Facet cutting uses smooth, flat faces, which are cut into the gem at precise angles so that the greatest amount of light is refracted. Some facet-cut gems may have more than 100 facets. The two main facet cuts are the brilliant cut and the step (or trap) cut. The brilliant cut, with its kite-shaped facets, is often used on gems that are round in form, and is almost always used on diamonds. The step cut, which has trapezoidal facets, is reserved for gems that are square in form, such as emeralds and rubies.
Faceted stones are normally mounted in jewellery but many are kept unmounted as valuable collectors items.