Introduction
You can dream that when gemstones came right out of the ground, they were ready to wear or at least, could have been made a part of any jewelry very easily, but this typically just doesn’t happen. Raw gemstones that are dug from the depths of the earth are usually known as “rough stones” and this name in and of itself is very apt – when we say rough, we mean that these gems can look very rough, to the point that you would find nothing attractive about them. Through the help of this blog, we will discuss some of the things that are a must for you as a jewelry retailer, or anyone who purchases wholesale gemstone jewelry regarding gem cutting. So, let's cut to the chase and begin with what is gem cutting.
What is Gem Cutting?
The process through which gemstones are cut and polished is known as lapidary, which is the fancier term for lapidary. The person who cuts and polishes these gemstones is known as a gem cutter or a lapidarist. Some of the common techniques that are used in lapidary or gem-cutting work include sawing, grinding, sanding, lapping, polishing, drilling, and tumbling.
All gems are cut and polished using progressive abrasion by finer grits of harder material. Diamond stands tall as an abrasive since it is the hardest substance, with a Mohs hardness of 10. It is used as an abrasive to cut and polish a wide variety of materials, which includes diamond itself. Another important manmade compound that is used as an abrasive is Silicon carbide, which has a Mohs hardness of 9.5. It is widely used for cutting softer gemstones.
Gem cutting or lapidary is thousands of years old and through this art, raw gemstones are transformed into dazzling objects of high value. In its core essence, gem cutting is the art of making the gem assume any given shape, transforming it into something lustrous, and unlocking its color and brilliance.
Faceted and Non-Faceted Gemstones
Lapidaries generally have two styles in which they cut gemstones. In other words, lapidaries have two choices of styles from which they choose when cutting a gem:
- Faceted Gems:
Faceted gems are those gems that have a flat polished surface, and which, after cutting and polishing, become geometrically shaped. In today’s times, faceted gemstones are one of the most popular styles, but this is not the case if you go back in mankind’s history. For instance, ancient Romans considered wearing faceted gemstones vulgar, and this was why they were huge fans of intaglios (gemstones carved in negative relief), cameos (gemstones carved in positive relief), and cabochons.
- Non-faceted Gemstone:
The gemstones that do not possess a geometrically shaped, flat polished surface are known as cabochons. In simple words, it is a polished gemstone without any facets, in which, generally speaking, the bottom is flat and the top is slightly rounded. The word “cabochon” has been derived from the old Norman French word “caboche” which can be translated as “head”. Cabochon is an ancient polishing and shaping technique that remains popular even to today’s date.
The Lapidarist’s Conflict: Juggling between Beauty and Commercial Considerations
In the gemstone industry, all lapidarists have this internal conflict where they have to juggle between commercial considerations (such as the carat weight retention) and bringing the beauty out of the gemstone. For every gem a lapidarist works at, he is looking for the best compromise between size and appearance – keeping in mind that the value of the finished gemstone also depends upon the carat weight of the stone.
Trying to maintain the gemstone’s critical angle (the maximum angle of refraction) generally results in a smaller gem, and it’s a thing that cannot be avoided. Sometimes, it is the size that matters, and big can tend to appear beautiful, but this need not always be the case, since beauty can also be gained by maximizing weight loss.
How To Tell If a Cut Is Good or Bad?
You must be thinking about how can one tell if a cut is good or bad. Well, no one cut is superior or more beautiful than another, it all comes down to the artistry of the lapidarist and the magic of Mother Nature. One thing that you can confuse is shape versus cut. Sometimes, they mean one and the same thing – for instance, a ‘princess cut’ is always square in shape. Other times, they don’t mean the same – for instance, a ‘step cut’ can either be octagon, square, or rectangular.
You can gauge a cut based on its proportions (looking for proportions that improve brilliance, sparkle, fire, etc.), symmetry, and durability. And last but not least, a cut needs to be assessed based on personal preference, since beauty is something that is subjective, and our personal preference makes something beautiful for us.
Factors A Lapidary Must Consider Before Cutting a Gemstone
A lapidary needs to consider a number of factors before he cuts the gemstone. Some of these factors include:
- The shape and size of the rough stone and how to utilize this shape and size for a maximum yield.
- Make sure that the most beautiful color or pattern is visible when the stone is viewed in a face-up positioning.
- Make sure that the position of inclusions and fractures does not affect the clarity of the stone.
- Cutting and polishing the gemstone at correct proportions and angles so as to maximize the gemstone’s brilliance and fire.
- Juggle all the above factors while keeping the commercial considerations in mind and maximizing profits.
Rananjay Exports: A Master of Gemstone Cutting
Rananjay Exports is a renowned name in the world of wholesale gemstone jewelry manufacturing and gem cutting. With more than 20+ years of experience as a wholesale gemstone jewelry manufacturer and supplier, we have an unwavering commitment to making the best and highest-grade gemstone jewelry out there in the market. Throughout all these years, we have mastered the art of enhancing the inherent beauty of gemstones and crystals. Our team of highly skilled craftsmen and artisans work dedicatedly ensuring that every gemstone cut in our factory is cut with expertise and precision.
We also ensure that the gemstones that we source from our vendors are all-natural, genuine, and ethically sourced. Not only do we provide a wide array of 925 sterling silver jewelry, but our wholesale gemstone jewelry range is also quite huge – we provide gemstone jewelry at wholesale rates in more than 250 gemstones. As you browse through Rananjay Exports’ website, you will find it all – from casting jewelry and handmade jewelry to designer jewelry and custom jewelry. Surf the official website of Rananjay Exports and order the wholesale jewelry you want!
