| There are several semi-precious stones which are | | | | wheels are basically used for the grinding, shaping |
| used as gemstones in the crystal form or in the | | | | and polishing to attain the stone's smooth dome |
| form they are mainly mined in. However, most | | | | shape. |
| actually still have to be cut and then polished | | | | On the other hand, gemstones that are |
| before using them as gemstones for jewelry, | | | | transparent are typically faceted. This is a method |
| accessories and other ornaments and | | | | that would make sure that the stone's interior's |
| adornments. There are basically two main types: | | | | optical properties are shown to its maximum |
| the first would be the stones which are cut as | | | | advantage, as the sparkle or the reflected light |
| smooth and dome-shaped stones that are called | | | | seen by viewers is maximized. |
| cabochons; and the second one would be those | | | | There are a lot of shapes that are commonly |
| stones which are cut using a faceting machine to | | | | used for faceted stones. Facets have to be cut |
| polish small flat windows or facets at regular | | | | at exactly the proper angles, and this would vary |
| intervals. | | | | depending on the gemstone's optical properties. |
| Those semi-precious stones that are opaque like | | | | Angles must not be too shallow or too steep, as |
| turquoise, opal, variscite and others are typically | | | | light may pass through and not be properly |
| cut as cabochons. These are generally designed to | | | | reflected to the viewer. A faceting machine is |
| show the color of the stone or the beautiful | | | | normally used to hold the stone flat for accurate |
| properties of the surface like in star sapphires and | | | | cutting and efficient polishing. |
| opals. Equipment like polishing agents and grinding | | | | |