Gemstones are prized for their beauty, rarity and durability. In their natural state, they present as organic rock formations - we refer to these as ‘raw’ stones. They can then be cut to reveal their unique colouring, inclusions and wondrous beauty.
A gemstone can be cut to any shape, however some cuts have become incredibly popular standardised due to their desirable shape and incredible ability refract light.
Some gemstone cuts are easier to come by while others can be incredibly rare. The rarity and unique qualities of a cut can increase the price of the stone.
Gemstone Cuts
Gemstone Cuts Chart
Round Brilliant Cut
The round brilliant cut gemstone is a classical design featuring a round shape with small facets both on top and beneath the gemstone. These facets allow white light to refract creating it’s dazzling appearance and brilliant sparkle.
The round gemstone shape has included many different styles of facets through history including the Old mine cut & rose cut.
Oval Cut
The sister to the round brilliant cut. The oval cut gemstones features 58 facets optimising brilliance and sparkle in an elegant elongated shape.
Emerald Cut
The Emerald cut gemstone offers clean lines in an elongated octagonal silhouette. These gemstones are step cut with horizontal facets that follow the shape of the gemstone.
The larger facets refract larger distinctive flashes of light.
Trillion & Trilliant cuts
The trillion & trilliant cut gemstones offer a geometric architectural design with the asymmetry of the three points.
They generally feature larger facets that mirror their triangular shape.
The trillion features slightly curved edges while the trilliant is cut with straight straight clean lines.
Unique & Free Form cuts
There are a myriad of unique cuts & shapes that different gemstone masters have experimed with. Some include sheild cut, kite cut & checkerboard cut. In recent years unique cuts have become more sought after as people become interested in individualised designs.
For larger gems with unique colouring or inclusions technicians will cut stones into unique shapes that best highlight their brilliance and individual characteristics. This is known as free form cuts.
Raw Gemstones
Raw refers to gemstones which are uncut and in their natural organic state. Each raw gemstone holds its own unique properties that result from its formation process – therefore the shape and size of every raw stone is unique.
Marquise cut
The marquise cut features an elongated seed or boat like shape often with brilliant facets allowing for optimal light refraction & sparkle.
Pear cut
The pear cut gemstone offers a unique rain drop shape & are found in a variety of facets from larger more simple cuts to the brilliant radiant design.
Radiant Cut
The radiant cut features the elongated hex silhouette of the emerald cut while holding the mesmerising sparkle of the round brilliant cut.
These smaller facets allow for a multi-point radial sparkle.
Get In Touch
If you would like to create a bespoke piece and are unsure which gemstone cut you would like, please get in touch – hello@thelineofsun.com. We are more than happy to discuss any questions or ideas you might have. If you know what gemstone cuts you would like to explore, let us know and we can provide you with a personalised gemstone selection.