Optimal Hex: Faceting Design Diagram

Tourmaline (Achroite, Dravite, Rubellite, Indicolite, Verdelite, Siberite)

Optimal Hex (B23.JRG)
By Jeff R. Graham
Copyright 2001
90.5% Light Return
Angles for R.I. = 1.62
61 facets + 6 facets on girdle = 67
3-fold, mirror-image symmetry
96 index
L/W = 1.073 T/W = 0.488 T/L = 0.455
P/W = 0.472 C/W = 0.153
H/W = (P+C)/W+0.02 = 0.645
P/H = 0.732 C/H = 0.237
Vol./W^3 = 0.246

Addition # 5 - This is fast and fairly easy to cut and works well in almost any material. This is designed for the "c" axis crystal shape that is fairly common in Tourmaline. It will work in R.I. 1.62 to 1.76 (88.9%) with no changes.

Random - Cosine - ISO

Detailed faceting instructions by Jeff Graham available at The Rock Peddler

Jeff R. Graham

The late Jeff Graham was a prolific faceter, creator of many original faceting designs, and the author of several highly-regarded instructional faceting books such as Gram Faceting Designs.

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