# Gemstone faceting

> Faceting cuts a gem with polished flat surfaces (facets) arranged to reflect light; the faceting machine, angles, indexing and polishing.

- Source: https://www.711grados.com/en/gemstone-faceting/
- Language: en
- Note: This entry was drafted with the help of AI and is pending review by the author.
- Published: 2026-06-30
- Updated: 2026-06-30
- Translation (es): https://www.711grados.com/es/tallado-facetado-de-gemas/
- Author: Sandra Sánchez
- Site: 711 Grados (https://www.711grados.com/)

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A faceted gem has flat, polished surfaces (facets), placed precisely so that light enters, reflects and exits toward the eye. It is the cut for transparent stones.

![Steps of the technique: Choose the design, Glue to the mast, Cut the pavilion, Move to the crown, Cut the table, Polish](https://www.711grados.com/media/diagrams/facetado-steps.en.svg "Summary of the steps")

## The faceting machine

The stone is glued to a rod (mast) and rests on a rotating lap. The angle and the “index” (the rotated position) are controlled precisely to cut each facet.

## Stages

1. The pavilion (the lower part) is cut.
2. The crown (the upper part) and the table are cut.
3. Each facet is polished with a fine abrasive, often diamond on a lap.

## Angles matter

Each gem has a refractive index, and the pavilion angles are calculated so that light reflects inside and does not leak out the back.

## Cuts

Brilliant, princess, emerald, cushion, pear, marquise… See [types of gem cut](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-gem-and-diamond-cuts/).

## Step by step

1. **Choose the design.** According to stone and rough.
2. **Glue to the mast.** With wax or resin.
3. **Cut the pavilion.** Facet by facet with angle and index.
4. **Move to the crown.** Turn the stone and repeat.
5. **Cut the table.** The flat top facet.
6. **Polish.** Each facet on a polishing lap.

## Tools and materials

- Faceting machine
- Diamond laps of various grits
- Polishing laps
- Cutting diagrams

## Common mistakes

- Wrong angles: the stone loses sparkle.
- Facets that do not meet at a point.
- Not cleaning between laps.
- Overheating and fracturing the stone.

## See also

- [Cabochon cutting](https://www.711grados.com/en/cabochon-cutting/)
- [Diamond](https://www.711grados.com/en/diamond/)
- [Types of gem and diamond cuts](https://www.711grados.com/en/types-of-gem-and-diamond-cuts/)