| When grading and appraising gemstones, cut may | | | | popular. Its name was derived from its consistent |
| not be as influential as the other C's like color, | | | | use with emeralds. Emerald cuts remove the |
| clarity, and carat weight, but it is definitely an | | | | corners and form an octagonal shape. Clipping off |
| influencing factor when it comes to the | | | | the corners protect delicate gemstones like |
| gemstones overall beauty. To properly evaluate | | | | emeralds and facilitate setting of gemstones at |
| the cut of a given gemstone, you must not only | | | | the same time. Other popular variations for step |
| study the face-up view or the surface or top | | | | cuts are window, table, radiant, and oval. |
| view but study it from all other angles as well. An | | | | The best advantage of step cuts is its ability to |
| excellent cut can reduce loss on carat weight but | | | | enhance a gemstones color, making the color |
| enhance its looks to breathtaking proportions at | | | | richer and appearing to have originated straight |
| the same time. | | | | form the belly of the gemstone. |
| Common Cuts Used on Gemstones:- | | | | Mixed Cuts |
| Brilliant Cuts | | | | Mixed cuts for gemstones are mostly |
| A brilliant-cut gemstone usually has three flat | | | | combinations of brilliant and step cuts. The crown |
| polished surfaces per facet. They are positioned in | | | | or top portion of a gemstone will resemble a |
| such a way to radiate the best light from the | | | | brilliant cut while the pavilion or bottom portion of |
| gemstone. Gemstone cutters also make sure that | | | | a gemstone will receive a step cut. At times, the |
| the angles will enhance the brilliance of the | | | | two cuts will appear side by side. Mixed cuts are |
| gemstone. Brilliant cuts are mostly used for | | | | also characterized by their rounded outlines. Many |
| diamonds and transparent gemstones. | | | | transparent gemstones like rubies and sapphires |
| Some facets will have one or more shapes like | | | | are often cut this way. Gemstones with mixed |
| stars, hearts, kites, and lozenges. Variations of the | | | | cuts are also commonly set in prongs. |
| brilliant cut include the naiveté or | | | | Variations for mixed cuts include but are not |
| boat-shaped marquise, pear-shaped pendeloque, | | | | limited to cushion, zircut, pear or teardrop, and |
| and oval shape. Oval shapes are suitable for | | | | oval. |
| gemstones with lower carat weight because they | | | | Cabochon Cuts |
| can make them appear bigger. | | | | A gemstone with a cabochon cut will appear |
| The most popular variation of all is the full-cut | | | | rounded on top and flat on the bottom. At times, |
| round brilliant. It has fifty-eight facets, presently | | | | gemstones will only appear in this cut. Height of a |
| the greatest count for brilliant cut gemstones. The | | | | gemstones dome with a cabochon cut varies. The |
| single brilliant cut, on the other hand, has | | | | name is derived from the French term used for |
| seventeen to eighteen facets. For gemstones | | | | bald heads. Cabochon cuts are simplest to make, |
| used in earrings and pendants, the briolette | | | | and that is why you will often see them used on |
| variation is mostly used to provide it with circular | | | | affordable gemstones and those that will not |
| cross-section teardrop shapes. Brilliant cuts with | | | | benefit from faceting. |
| triangular dimensions are called trilliants while | | | | Fancy Cuts |
| square brilliant cuts are also known as princess | | | | Any other cut besides those mentioned above is |
| cuts. | | | | usually referred to as fancy. A checkerboard cut, |
| Step Cuts | | | | for instance, will have a combination of a large |
| Another popular cut for a gemstone is the step | | | | table facet on top and a mixed cut. A rose cut |
| or trap cut. Step cuts are best used for colored | | | | will have a round girdle outline, flat base, |
| gemstones because they possess four-sided table | | | | dome-shaped crown, and facets of a brilliant cut. |
| facets and girdles as well as parallel quadrilateral | | | | When judging the cut of a gemstone, start by |
| facets. The term step cut was used because this | | | | evaluating it face up. See if the gemstone shows |
| gemstone cut bears similarities with a staircase. | | | | uniform color distribution and radiates light in the |
| Step cuts have fewer facets than brilliant cuts. | | | | best possible way. Gemstones cut with large |
| One well-known variation of a step cut is the | | | | windows are unappealing. Lastly, recheck all other |
| baguette. It is rectangular in shape but with | | | | angles and determine if the cut took both carat |
| square corners. Emerald cuts are also quite | | | | weight and looks into consideration. |