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Glittering
Stones >> Cutting Of Gemstones
Cutting Of Gemstones
There are four basic way and style of gem cutting:
tumbling, Cabochon Cutting, faceting and carving. Including there
is a number of ways to assemble gem stones into
mosaic like patterns, (called intarsia,) boxes, etc.
Gems are generally cut to bring out their natural
color and its brilliancy and also to remove flaws. In the cabochon
cut, the upper surface of the stone is smoothed
and then rounded into a simple curve of any degree of convexity;
the lower surface could be concave, convex, or flat. All the remaining
cuts have flat facets. In the table cut, the facets of the natural
octahedron of the diamond
that are ground to smoothness and polished; one facet, the table,
is ground much larger than any other and always made the top of
the gem, while the opposite facet, the culet,
is left quite small. The rose cut consists of a flat base and
(usually) 26 triangular facets—resembling a cabochon with
facets.
Tumbling
- The simplest form of gem cutting is tumbling.
This is where the rough material is put in to revolving barrel
with its abrasives. Progressively finer abrasives are used,
until a polish is then obtained. This process closely resembles
what happens to rocks in a stream and on the beach, except that
the level of polish is much higher.
- Tumbling is ideal also for children. It is easy; takes a
minimum of equipment, (approx. $150,) and the results are sensational!
There are a number of inexpensive settings also available so
the tumbled gem
stones can be turned into jewelry. These
make wonderful, homemade gifts.
Cabochon Cutting
- Cutting en cabochon, and as it is more commonly known, cutting
cabs, is probably it is the most common form of gem cutting.
Cabs are gems that are cut with a flat bottom and a curved or
then domed top. If you can envision an opal
or a piece of turquoise, you are looking at
a cab.
- Cabs have distinct resale value, based on the material they
are cut from and its cutting could be profitable. This makes
for an excellent, indoor hobby. It is especially enjoyable if
you are cutting materials you have found on your own.
- It only takes a little practice to become very proficient
and is something almost everyone can learn to do well. Good
equipment would cost in the neighborhood of $1,000. A word of
warning though, this could be highly addictive!
Faceting
- Faceting is the style of cutting, which has the greatest profit
potential. If you could envision a diamond,
you are looking at a faceted gem. The surface
of a diamond is fully covered with several
geometrically arranged, flat surfaces. Each of these flat surfaces
is known as facet. The gem is faceted, by a faceted on a faceting
machine. This is also where we get the expression, "a multifaceted
question."
- The purpose of faceting is actually to bring out the
brilliance of a gem. That is where the light entering
the stone is reflected off the bottom facets and then returned
to the viewer. Brilliance may not be confused with fire, which
is the multicolored flash you see coming out of diamonds
and some other gems.
- Faceting is one of those art forms that you can become good
at with a minimum of experience, but also one where you will
never run out of new challenges. Nor does it require any esoteric
"artistic" sense. Machinists, engineers and people
good at math often excel in faceting.
Carving
- Carving is the most challenging of the lapidary arts and there
are very few recognized experts in the field. To be successful,
one should have a distinctive artistic sense and a thorough
understanding of the principles of lapidary. Unlike working
in its wood and metal, the materials present definite limits
as to what can be done.
- There are several types of carving. One of the best known
is cameo. These are usually cut from sea shells and agates,
but they can be carved from almost any material.
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