Crystals and raw crystals for jewelry and decoration (P-Z)

Types of cuts: From tradition to innovation

1. Brilliant Cut: This is one of the most popular and classic diamond cutting styles. It features a round shape that maximizes brilliance and light reflection. This elegant cut enhances the sparkle of diamonds, making them ideal for use in jewelry.
2. Emerald Cut: The emerald cut is rectangular with beveled corners. This style enhances the intensity of a stone’s color, especially in emeralds, while also highlighting its clarity.
3. Princess Cut: A square or rectangular cut with multiple facets, giving stones a geometric, modern appearance. Particularly popular for diamonds, this style ensures even light dispersion.
4. Cabochon: For semi-precious stones such as opals or coral beads, the cabochon cut is often used. It features a smooth, rounded shape that highlights the unique optical properties of the stone, such as the opalescent effect.
5. Faceted Cut: Faceted cuts include various styles in which the stone is sculpted with numerous facets. This type of cut allows for experimentation with different shapes and styles, giving stones a unique character.

The cutting process: From raw material to artwork

1. Raw Material Identification: The first step in the cutting process is the careful examination of the raw material. Precious stones vary in hardness, color, clarity, and structure, which affects the choice of the appropriate cutting style.
2. Shaping and Cut Decision: At this stage, the stone is shaped according to the artist's intentions. The choice of the right cut depends on the type of stone, its color, clarity, and the desired final effect.
3. Facet Patterns and Polishing Techniques: The facets are carefully sculpted to optimally bring out the stone's brilliance. Different facet patterns influence how light is reflected and dispersed, affecting the visual effect of the stone.
4. Final Cuts and Polishing: The final stage involves precise cutting to achieve the desired shape and smooth the surface of the stone. The polishing process gives it a high gloss that enhances its beauty and quality.

Innovations in the art of cutting

With the advancement of technology, innovative cutting methods have emerged. Advanced computer techniques allow for precise modeling and simulation of light effects, enabling gemstone designers to experiment with new forms and facet patterns.

The art of cutting precious and semi-precious stones is not only a craft but also a combination of science, passion, and artistic sensitivity. Each cut is a unique work of art that reveals the beauty hidden deep within the earth while highlighting the individuality and uniqueness of each stone.

Faceted stones and cabochons

When it comes to precious and semi-precious stones, there are two main types of "cuts" – faceted stones and cabochons. There are also other types, such as beads or carved precious stones, but faceted stones and cabochons are the most commonly used in jewelry.

In general, a faceted stone has many flat sides, while a cabochon is smooth. Faceted stones are more popular for transparent stones, while cabochons are more popular for opaque or semi-transparent stones. Typically, faceted stones sparkle more, while cabochons have a beautiful color.

Since a faceted stone has many flat sides (facets) that must be carefully aligned and polished, its cutting takes more time and is generally more expensive. If a stone has a good enough color and is free from natural inclusions, it is worth investing the time and money in faceting. If the color is good, but the stone has many cracks, splits, or bubbles (inclusions), it is more likely to be cut into a cabochon because these natural inclusions will prevent the stone from reflecting as much light. This means it is not worth spending time faceting the stone, but it can still be used in jewelry if shaped and then polished into a cabochon.

If a stone has both poor color and clarity, it may be made into a bead or used industrially.