Making the Cut in Gemstones

Making the Cut in Gemstones

The beauty of a gemstone is often directly proportional to the cut of the stone. A quality cut accentuates a gemstone’s beauty. But how do you know whether a gemstone has been cut to the highest quality?

Here’s what to look for:

A quality cut highlights a gemstone’s color, reduces the appearance of inclusions and has good symmetry and proportion to it. With a lot of variance in color, it’s difficult to set precise standards on how to get the most brilliance or color in a gemstone. Rare gemstones can be cut to a particular size without consideration of its color. Corundum varieties such as sapphires and rubies, for example, are cut for the optimum weight rather than strictly for beauty. As a result, such cuts may reveal banded colors or streaks.

A quality cut has facets that are symmetrical and reflect light evenly across the surface. In addition, the polish of the gemstone is smooth and has no scratches or nicks. Low-quality gemstones have asymmetrically-cut crowns.

A quality cut in a gemstone with more saturated color may be shallower than average. That allows more light to penetrate the stone. A gemstone with less saturated color may be enhanced by a deeper cut.

A quality cut in quality color gems, as in diamonds, generally has a crown, table, pavilion, girdle and cutlet. The one exception is an iridescent opal, which usually has a rounded cabochon cut.

Gemstones are found in their rough state in the earth and are then cut to enhance the naturally existing properties and to bring out their exquisite beauty.

Articles

Blossom in Orange Gemstones

A buying guide on orange gemstones

Calculating Minimum Carat Weight

Understanding minimum carat weight

Caring for Gemstone Jewelry

The ins and outs of cleaning and caring for gemstone jewelry

Color Characteristics of Gemstone

Why color matters in gemstones

Diamonds: What Are the Shapes

The Shapes of Diamonds

Diamonds: What Does Color Mean