Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Faceting Information
Yttrium (YAG) is also known as various other names in the gemstone market today such as diamonite. This may also be used as a gemstone imitation.
Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG)
Color: Wide range of colors available.
Moh's Hardness: 8.5
Refractive Index: 1.833
Critical Angle: 33.12°
Specific Gravity: 4.55
Cleavage: Imperfect
Fracture: Conchoidal
Dispersion: .028
Heat Sensitivity: Slight
Birefringence (double refraction): None
Crystal Structure: Isometric
Treatments: None
What I prefer to polishing with: Tin lap with Alumina oxide. Zinc laps with 8,000 pre-polish and 50,000 polish.
Jeff's Comments: Cuts and polishes like Garnet. It is quite pretty especially in clear and light colors.
Design Links: 4-Way Stop - This is great for saturated rough if you have a piece that will work in the shape.
Princess - Nice in about any material
Brilliant Pear - Good in any color
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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