FACETING GEMSTONES
Faceting gemstones takes extraordinary patience, skill, accuracy, and imagination. It’s a craft that demands both technical mastery and an intuitive understanding of each stone. We’re proud to say that most sapphires we sell are faceted in‑house. Our master cutter Daniel has a natural talent for transforming rough Australian sapphires into high‑quality precision cut gemstones.
The process begins long before the first facet is cut. Daniel starts by examining the rough sapphire under different lighting and from multiple angles, studying its internal structure, colour zoning, and any inclusions that may influence the final design. This initial assessment is the foundation of the entire faceting journey, guiding every decision that follows.
Once he understands the stone, Daniel begins shaping it by hand. This early stage, known as preforming, gently grinds the sapphire into the outline of its future shape. It’s slow and deliberate work, constantly checking the stone as its natural form starts to emerge. When the basic shape is ready, the sapphire is secured onto a dopstick, which holds it firmly in place for the precision cutting ahead.
With the dopstick inserted into the faceting machine, the transformation truly begins. Using a fine diamond‑grit lap, Daniel cuts the pavilion, the lower half of the gemstone. Each facet is placed with meticulous accuracy, meeting perfectly at a single point known as the culet. Symmetry, balance and crisp meet points are essential, as they determine how the stone will reflect and return light.
After the pavilion is fully cut, the polishing stage begins. Working through diamond powders ranging from 1800 to 100,000 grit. Daniel polishes each facet until it reaches a flawless, mirror‑like finish. A perfect polish and cut is what gives the sapphire its brilliance and life.
Once the pavilion is complete, the stone is placed onto a transfer jig, allowing it to be flipped and secured onto a new dopstick so the crown, the top of the gemstone - can be faceted. The same careful process is repeated: precise angles, clean meet points and a final polish that brings out the sapphire’s full sparkle.
After all these steps are complete, we’re left with a high‑quality precision faceted sapphire. A beautiful gemstone ready to become the centrepiece of a custom jewellery piece and eventually a cherished part of someone’s life story.
The process begins long before the first facet is cut. Daniel starts by examining the rough sapphire under different lighting and from multiple angles, studying its internal structure, colour zoning, and any inclusions that may influence the final design. This initial assessment is the foundation of the entire faceting journey, guiding every decision that follows.
Once he understands the stone, Daniel begins shaping it by hand. This early stage, known as preforming, gently grinds the sapphire into the outline of its future shape. It’s slow and deliberate work, constantly checking the stone as its natural form starts to emerge. When the basic shape is ready, the sapphire is secured onto a dopstick, which holds it firmly in place for the precision cutting ahead.
With the dopstick inserted into the faceting machine, the transformation truly begins. Using a fine diamond‑grit lap, Daniel cuts the pavilion, the lower half of the gemstone. Each facet is placed with meticulous accuracy, meeting perfectly at a single point known as the culet. Symmetry, balance and crisp meet points are essential, as they determine how the stone will reflect and return light.
After the pavilion is fully cut, the polishing stage begins. Working through diamond powders ranging from 1800 to 100,000 grit. Daniel polishes each facet until it reaches a flawless, mirror‑like finish. A perfect polish and cut is what gives the sapphire its brilliance and life.
Once the pavilion is complete, the stone is placed onto a transfer jig, allowing it to be flipped and secured onto a new dopstick so the crown, the top of the gemstone - can be faceted. The same careful process is repeated: precise angles, clean meet points and a final polish that brings out the sapphire’s full sparkle.
After all these steps are complete, we’re left with a high‑quality precision faceted sapphire. A beautiful gemstone ready to become the centrepiece of a custom jewellery piece and eventually a cherished part of someone’s life story.
