3D Geometric Shapes

They say that diamonds are a girl’s best friends and when you look at that precious white gemstone, sparkling in the light it is not hard to see why. For as long as people have known about the various gems that are found in an on the surface of the world, they have been looking for ways to make them even more beautiful. There are many different gems out there and they can be cut into a variety of shapes and sizes. The most famous is probably the 3D geometric shapes that clear and transparent gems are cut into to show off their color and luster, however. But that is not the only way to cut a gem.

There are essentially two different ways in which a gem can be cut to show off its beauty. The difference is dependent on what sort of gem it is and what the person cutting the gem wants to show off. The one many people are familiar with is the facet cutting that produces the 3D geometric shapes that we often see diamonds in. This method of cutting a gem is a complex and difficult task that uses a facet machine to cut the sides of the gem at certain angles and planes. The purpose of this cutting is to make change the way that light falls into the gem. The light is then reflected and refracted within the gem and shows off its particular color and luster to the maximum effect. If done incorrectly, a gem can be ruined and it takes quite a few years for a person to become master of the craft.

The 3D geometric shapes of facet cutting are usually used on transparent of clear gems like diamonds, sapphires and emeralds. The other method is usually used on opaque gems like jet, amber and turquoise. In this method the gem is cut into a smooth, polished dome shape that are called cabochons. These gems are often grinded and polished to a fine finish and they are often seen in large pendants or on rings. The purpose of this cutting technique is to bring out the beauty that is part of the gem’s surface colors like with an opal or a star sapphire. These stones can also be cut into 3D geometric shapes but are usually not to preserve their surface beauty.

The shape that a gemstone is cut into obviously determines where and how it can be used. The 3D geometric shapes that most transparent gems are cut into are perfect to be set into rings or to create intricate designs using a lot of small gemstones as on large necklaces or gem-studded tiaras. The cabochons can sometimes be quite large thanks to the fact that large pieces do not have to be removed and can serve as center pieces in jewelry like an amber amulet or a ring with a fingernail sized piece of jet set in it. Humanity has been finding new ways to use the natural stones of the earth for millennia and chances are they are going to keep looking for more.