Gemstone Cut
Find out why gemstone cut is crucial and how to evaluate it when shopping for engagement rings and gem set jewellery
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Gemstone Cut
Coloured gem stones are cut to maximise their beauty and enhance their colour. A good cut brings out the stone’s colour, reduces and softens the inclusions and has overall good symmetry and proportion. There are several points to consider when evaluating gemstone cut
What to Look For
Gemstone colour may have uneven distribution, therefore there are no cut standards to maximise brilliance and colour. Gemstones, especially rare ones are sometimes cut considering the size, without taking colour into consideration. For instance, sapphires or rubies are cut to maximise their carat rather than beauty, so they may have stripy colours or streaks. The best cut is determined individually for each stone, considering the gem’s inclusions, natural shape and colour.
Expert Tip
"Opt for symmetrically cut stones with evenly cut facets. An asymmetrical cut indicates low stone quality and may cause poor light reflection, bowtie effect and uneven colour distribution."
Gemstone Cut
Opt for symmetrically cut stones with evenly cut facets. An asymmetrical cut indicates low stone quality and may cause poor light reflection, bowtie effect and uneven colour distribution. A well-cut gemstone is symmetrical, with smooth polish and has no visible to the naked eye imperfections. Just like with diamonds, the cut is the most crucial feature to determine the stone’s final appearance and affects its price. Gemstones are cut to enhance their desired features and hide their flaws, however raw uncut diamonds and rough gemstones are an increasingly popular choice for jewellery and gemstone engagement rings.
Polishing
Cut Grading
Hearts and Arrows
Anatomy of the diamond