Category #3
A Jeweler's Tidbit
of Knowledge

    A lapidary is one who cuts gemstones. American gem cutters are perhaps the finest in the
world but I'll bet most don't know this.
    Gem faceting is the craft/art of transforming a piece of gem rough (raw crystals worthy of
such speculation) into a gemstone shaped with flat, polished surfaces. Usually, a faceted gem is "cut" in a shape which has a top and a bottom, called the crown and the pavilion. Light enters the gem through the crown, reflects internally on the pavilion, and is directed back through the crown and  to the eye.
    A faceted gem is judged by the amount of light returned to the eye and the manner in
which this light is displayed. Colored gems should be cut to display that color over the entire
stone, not just the around the edges. And a gem should display color with esthetic sensitivity and finesse.
    As a whole,  most stones are cut in a simplistic manner, easier for production, using
proportions maximizing yield over beauty.
    American gem cutters are unique. They use correct  proportions and develop more beautiful, complete designs.
    Seeing is believing. My wife, Claire, is a gem cutter. Come out and look at some of hers.
They're gorgeous!