GEMSTONE CUTS

The overall beauty of a gemstone is influenced by its cut.

A brilliant cut has many facets or cuts and is best applied on diamonds and transparent gemstones. There are three flat, polished surfaces per facet. All of the facets are positioned to radiate the best light because angles enhance the brilliance of the stone. The most popular brilliant is a full-cut round which encompasses a total of 58 facets. A single brilliant cut has about seventeen to eighteen facets. Other variations of a brilliant cut are the marquise and the oval. Ovals are suitable with a lower carat weight to make the stone appear larger. A trillion is a brilliant cut with triangular dimensions and a princess cut is a square brilliant.

A step or trap cut has fewer facets than a brilliant cut and is similar to a staircase. It is used on colored gemstones. The best advantage of a step cut is to enhance the color by making it richer. When viewed it appears as if the color is coming straight from the belly of the gemstone. A baguette is a step cut that is rectangular in shape with square corners. An emerald cut removes the corners making the stone octagonal. Other variations of the step cut include the window, the table, the radiant and also the oval.

A mixed cut is a combination of a brilliant and step cut. The top or crown of the gemstone receives the brilliant and the pavilion or bottom of the stone, the step. Sometimes the different cuts appear side by side. This type of cut has rounded outlines and is set in prongs. Again the oval, cushion, pear and teardrop are all examples of a mixed cut.

A cabochon cut comes from the French name for bald head. The cut is rounded on top and flat on the bottom. This type of cut is simple to complete. It is utilized on affordable gemstones that don’t benefit from extensive faceting.

Finally, a fancy cut is any other cut that has not been described above.

Before purchasing a gemstone, whether it is loose or mounted in a setting, evaluate the cut by viewing the stone face up. This way the gem shows uniform color distribution and radiates the light best.