Hardness and Cleavage Considerations
Picture this: You’re holding a stunning piece of rough diamond, the hardest material on Earth. You strike it with a hammer, expecting it…
Color and Transparency
Imagine holding a rough, dull piece of crystal that transforms into a dazzling, brilliantly colored gem through the magic of faceting. This transformation…
Yield Optimization vs. Aesthetics
Picture this: You have a stunning piece of aquamarine rough worth thousands of dollars. Do you cut it for maximum weight retention to preserve its…
Step Cuts and Emerald Cuts: The Art of Understated Elegance
Imagine looking through a crystal-clear window into the heart of a gemstone. That’s exactly what step cuts offer – a completely different…
Light Behavior in Gems: The Science Behind Sparkle
Have you ever wondered why a diamond sparkles so brilliantly, or why some gemstones seem to glow with rainbow colors? The answer lies in the fascinating…
Optical Phenomena Unique to Certain Gem Materials
Imagine holding a gemstone that displays a perfect six-pointed star dancing across its surface, or one that changes from emerald green to ruby…
What Is Faceting?
Imagine holding a diamond that sparkles with brilliant flashes of light, each tiny surface reflecting and refracting light in perfect harmony.…
How to Identify Emerald Simulants and Synthetics
Gemologists can separate natural emeralds from emerald simulants and synthetics. Learn about the most common tools and techniques for this.…
What Is Faceting?
Discover the ancient art of faceting – how rough stones become brilliant gems through 3,000 years of cutting techniques. Learn about cabochons…
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