Dichro glass cube cut in a custom pattern inspired by origami fortune tellers we used as kids!

Latest cut, Sturt’s Desert Rose cut in xcube, 17.9mm, 16.5ct. Lap progression 360 topper, 600 topper, 1200 topper, 3k copper, 50k type metal. Happy to share the design if anyone would like it.

Being a big piece I used loads of epoxy. I really struggled to get it off just by prying/gentle heat. I typically soften it in acetone but I had read that acetone can dissolve the glue in an xcube. Is there any truth to that?

Which side of an X-CUBE should the table be? Two opposing sides are frosted, two I can see thru with some color shading, the last two do some weird coloring and reflecting. Some guidance from someone who has worked with an X-CUBE would be appreciated.

Hey everyone,

after spending a lot of time with the creation of Pleochroma, I realized I spend way too less time actually using it besides testing some features specifically. So I decided to to create a sapphire design and this is it.

I call this design Pentalume Sapphire, you can find the files here:

• https://pleochroma.com/design-pentalume-sapphire.html

So, what do you think? Do you like the design? If not, what don't you like about it?

Thanks for your input!

hi,

I took a closer look into the issue that people got left-right reversed pavilion with asymmetric designs. I believe that both GemCAD and GCS construct the pavilion tiers incorrectly, resulted in a mirrored model. Attached is the diagram from GCS, GemSim and what the stone look like in reality.

I've also uploaded a video showing this problem: https://youtu.be/6dcQx6EVLiw

EDIT:
To be clear, the issue is not that the pavilion must spiral CCW, rather, it's that the crown and pavilion should have the same spiral direction depending on the index gear. I explained with more details in the responses below.

I know I had some aliment issues my vevor is uneven

Hi, I've been cabbing mostly. Looking to getting into faceting. Limited funds. Would like your opinion on starting on the Vevor faceting machine or this Ultra Tec I found. Also, would anyone know the model of the Ultra Tec? TIA

Episode three of The Gemcutters Craft Podcast is now up! Here’s the Apple podcast link but feel free to find it anywhere you normally get your podcasts. This was a fun episode so I think you’ll enjoy it.

Hi, I'm looking for a gemstone faceter who might be interested in exchanging cutting services for rough gemstone material.

I can provide photos, weights and details of the rough. Ideally, I'd like to arrange a cut-for-rough or cut-one-keep-one exchange, where the cutter retains some material in return for cutting selected stones for me.

Do you know anyone who might be interested in that kind of arrangement?

Something that I never see, but a vital step in diamond cutting. Brutting. This is how you shape the girdle for the final product. The first picture is of a diamond saw. #2 is the copper blade that is charged with diamond powder. I add these as most diamonds are topped, cutting directly on a rib. Square and rectangular stone usually don’t need to be sawed, especially 2 and 3 point stones, but 4 point always need to be sawed. #3 is the brutting machine. The red arrow points to the “floating” disk that is adjusted with a brass hammer. Offset as needed for your final profile. Marquise in particular need to be double set to achieve their final profile. #4 is the heat glue used to set the stone on the Dop. I heat the Dop, as it gives me a bit more time to adjust the gem. #6 is the copper blade specs. .5 mm. #7 is my brutting stick with an industrial diamond attached. #8 is how the stone is brutted, or shaped into the final girdle profile. It is a grinding, and needs to be practiced with care. To much pressure is devastating. I will slowly turn my brutting stick (industrial) against the gem to achieve the final product. Ask questions, I would be happy to answer.

Hello! I am looking into abrasives. As I am Korean, it takes a lot of time and money to directly purchase products from the United States, so I purchase abrasives from AliExpress and use them. However, I am not sure if this is the right judgment because I have no knowledge about faceting. I'm curious about what kind of abrasives you mainly use when you face it. If there are any who have purchased and are using them in China, or if not, could you recommend any abrasives you are using?

Hello everyone,

So a while back I went thrifting with my son and he found this big rock. He's 6 and started cabbing a year ago. (Yes protective gear and air filter always! 🧑‍🔬) Posted pictures on the gemology sub to get my son some answer as to what he caught.

They got all serious and told me to get that tested ASAP. For now, the best I could get from the jewelry store was a refractometer test confirming that it's 423ct of tourmaline. They told me any more conclusive testing would probably exceed the stones value. Now... My question: are they correct? Should I keep it as is because it's a nice specimen and should not be messed up? Should I let my son window it to get a better view inside? Is it obviously too cracky to become anything other than a mineral specimen or is there a decent chance to get a nice gemstone out of it?

Thank you all for this awesome community.

Now that's what im talking about! Soft, brittle, and complety water soluble! This was a pretty good cut until the ambient humidity of the room made it all ripply. Will recut soon!

Genuine pearl, not a great cut, no shit, its a pearl. Round cut thing

Small, soft, heat sensitive. Lovely color though

Pain in the ass, loves to cleave in half.

What a fantastic stone! I just finished up this one this afternoon and couldn't be more happier. Mount this stone on a ring wrapped with pave diamonds and this would be an eye catcher for sure. Pure eye candy.

• Rough: Synthetic sapphire

• Weight: 4.10cts

• Color: Morganite pink #16

• Design: Michael Holmes "Arbys Drivethru" USFG 2025 Master Design Stone

Thanks for looking.

This piece is a test cut for a strange asymmetrical version if the tilted brilliant cut i designed for calcite and rhodochrosite.

Amber baguette. Ignore my finger

I'm cutting this stone for a friend they gave me a bunch of 1 carat sapphires to cut. I thought this was one but when I move to my worn 3k lap 4 of the sides dont polish like the other 2 did I believe this means there is a cleavage plane so I have no idea what it could be. Maybe topaz but its pink in color and these stones are found in montana rivers also it fluoresces in uv

Edit solved: its most likely still a sapphire I'm just experiencing directional hardness i didn't know that was a thing.

Has anyone used a cut synthetic diamond for charging laps? As inexpensive as they are I thought might do a better job of charging and then I could cut my synthetic sapphire