Gem Faceting for beginners: Everything You Need to Know
Gem faceting refers to the process of cutting and shaping a gemstone to enhance its beauty, brilliance, and value. This is achieved by adding multiple flat surfaces, known as "facets," to the gemstone. These facets are designed to reflect and refract light in a manner that brings out the gem's best optical properties.
The process of gem faceting involves several steps:
1 Selection of facet rough
Before faceting, the gem rough is thoroughly examined to determine the best possible cut and orientation that would maximize its beauty, colour, clarity, and yield.
2 Preforming of the gemstone
This is the initial shaping of the stone, where the rough gem is ground into a basic shape, typically using a preforming machine. This step helps to remove any inclusions or imperfections that may be on the surface of the gem.
Some Preformed gem rough ready to be faceted
3 Dopping
The preformed gem is attached to a "dop stick" using a special adhesive or wax . The dop stick allows the gem cutter to handle and control the stone during the faceting process.
4 Calibrating of Gemstones ( Optional )
Calibrating gemstones refers to the process of cutting and shaping them to standard, precise sizes and shapes. The term "calibrated" in the gemstone industry denotes that the stone conforms to these set dimensions. This standardization is essential for many jewelry manufacturers because it allows them to create settings, mountings, or pieces that can accommodate gemstones of known sizes.
5 Cutting the Pavilion or the bottom
The bottom part of the gem, below the girdle, is called the pavilion. The facets on the pavilion are usually cut first. They are designed to reflect light back through the top of the gem.
6 Cutting the Crown or the top
After the pavilion is finished, the gem is flipped and attached to the dop stick again, this time with the crown (the top part of the gem, above the girdle) facing outward. The crown facets are then cut.
7 Polishing the gem
Once all the facets have been cut, they are polished to a fine shine. This step enhances the gemstone's brilliance and lustre.
8 Final Inspection and Cleaning:
After faceting, the gem is inspected for any flaws, scratches, or imperfections. It's then cleaned to remove any remaining adhesive or debris.
When you're planning your trip to Sri Lanka, don't miss the opportunity to visit our lapidary house. Not only will you witness the mesmerizing art of gem cutting firsthand, but if you've ever been curious about the craft, we offer short courses tailored for beginners. Make your vacation to Sri Lanka even more memorable by learning the fundamentals of gem cutting and honing basic skills under the guidance of our experts.
Additionally, we organize exclusive tours to gem mines, renowned gem museums, and vibrant gem markets for you to explore and source precious stones. If you're thinking of taking a piece of Sri Lanka's gem legacy with you, we're here to assist you in exporting gems in a completely legal and ethical manner. For more details or to schedule your visit, reach out to us via email or WhatsApp. We eagerly await the chance to share our passion and expertise with you.
Get in Touch with Ceylon Gems and Lapidary:
- Email: ceylongemsandlapidary@gmail.com
- WhatsApp: +94 77 235 9269
- Website: www.ceylongemsandlapidary.com
- Etsy Shop: [CeylonGemsByHiroma] - https://ceylongemsbyhiroma.etsy.com
For any inquiries, custom requests, or further information about our gemstone collections, feel free to reach out. We're committed to providing the finest gems and an exceptional customer experience.