Understanding Gemstone FacetsUnderstanding Gemstone Facets

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Understanding Gemstone Facets

Facets, those "geometrically arranged, flat surfaces" that cover faceted gemstones, all play specific roles in a gem's optical performance. When expertly cut, facets not only create beautiful patterns on the gem, they also help it shine. Sometimes, literally. Different types of gemstone facets have specific names, too.

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gemstone facets - crown view, ametrine
Barion octagon-cut ametrine, 4.48 cts. © Dan Stair Custom Gemstones. Used with permission.

If you're new to the art of gem cutting, you'll become quite familiar with these terms as you learn to facet gems. However, all gem enthusiasts, especially gem buyers, can benefit from learning about the types and functions of different gemstone facets.

gemstone facets - names and illustration

The Three Principal Areas of a Faceted Gem

Girdle

The widest part of the gem, the girdle defines its outline. When viewed from the side, however, the girdle is usually fairly thin. Faceters cut girdles to help set the stone in jewelry.

Crown

For both cabochons and faceted gems, the top is called the crown. For faceted gems, this means the area above the girdle. Usually, you'll see this area when viewing the "face" of a gem set in jewelry.

Pavilion

The bottom of a faceted gem, the area below the girdle, is called the pavilion.

Types of Gemstone Facets

Mains

The largest facets are called mains. (Some gems have larger table facets). There are both pavilion mains and crown mains.

gemstone facets - mains, smoky quartz
Smoky Quartz, 22 cts, Audrey Lynn Mine, Cahuilla Mtn., Riverside County, California, USA. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

Table Facet

The large, horizontal facet on the top, the table facet acts as a window into the interior of the gem.

Break Facets

Adjoining the girdle, the break facets scatter light, which creates more scintillation or tiny flashes of light. There are both crown and pavilion break facets.

gemstone facets - breaks, andalusite
Cushion-cut andalusite, 4.07 cts, Bahia, Brazil. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

Star Facets

The "top row" of facets, star facets adjoin the table facet. Along with the other crown facets, they serve to control the entry and exit of light from the gem.

gemstone facets - stars, rhodochrosite
Rhodochrosite, 3.55 cts, Capillitas Mine, Andalgala, Catamarca, Argentina. © Rob Lavinsky, www.iRocks.com. Used with permission.

Pavilion Facets

The pavilion facets are designed to reflect the light back to the viewer. This enhances both brilliance, the amount of light a gem returns, and dispersion, the colorful "fires" that seem to emanate from within.

Culet

The point at the bottom of the pavilion is called a culet. Some gems have tiny, flat culets instead of points. This helps prevent chipping.

Keel

Some faceted gems have neither a pointed nor flat culet. Some cuts, like ovals and emerald cuts, have a keel at the bottom of the pavilion, an edge like the bottom of some boats.

  • gemstone facets - culet, re-cut spinel
  • gemstone facets - pavilion breaks, re-cut spinel
  • gemstone facets - pavilion, re-cut spinel

    Photo 1 shows the girdle and culet of a re-cut spinel gemstone. In Photo 2, gem cutter Dan Stair has added pavilion break facets as well as eight little facets around the culet to enhance the gem's scintillation. Photo 3 shows the pavilion facets partly polished. © Dan Stair Custom Gemstones. Used with permission.

    Where Gemstone Facets Meet

    Meet

    The junction of two facets.

    Meetpoint

    The junction of three or more facets.

    Not all Gemstone Facets are Flat

    Facets may start out as flat surfaces, but gem cutters can cut them by hand or machine into concave surfaces, too. You can read about curved facets in our article on gem cutting styles.


    Donald Clark, CSM IMG

    The late Donald Clark, CSM founded the International Gem Society in 1998. Donald started in the gem and jewelry industry in 1976. He received his formal gemology training from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the American Society of Gemcutters (ASG). The letters “CSM” after his name stood for Certified Supreme Master Gemcutter, a designation of Wykoff’s ASG which has often been referred to as the doctorate of gem cutting. The American Society of Gemcutters only had 54 people reach this level. Along with dozens of articles for leading trade magazines, Donald authored the book “Modern Faceting, the Easy Way.”


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