Pin Wheel: Online Faceting Designs and Diagrams
Inspired by the classic children’s toy, Jeff Graham’s award-winning Pin Wheel gem design is easy to cut and makes a very interesting stone.
You can find cutting instructions for the Pin Wheel here.
A Pin Wheel in Rose Quartz
Remember those pin wheel toys we played with as children? I wanted to design a cut that looks and flashes just like one. So, I came up with this. It's easier than it looks.
- Pin Wheel, 2.88 cts, 9.5 x 6.3 mm, cut from a rose quartz by Jeff Graham.
- Pin Wheel, 2.88 cts, 9.5 x 6.3 mm, cut from a rose quartz by Jeff Graham.
The quartz I used for this example has a nice color, but it's a little on the silky side. As a result, the photos look a little fuzzy. However, the silk did cause some interesting color and dispersion when I photographed the stone. The blades of the "pin wheel" show pretty well.
Cutting Remarks
The girdle and P1 form a zigzag, and the tiers are every other one for meets. When you cut it, you'll see what I mean. It makes a very nice, interesting stone in sizes from 1 to 16 carats.
This design works well in lab-createdsapphire, spinel, and YAG (synthetic garnet).
If you cut this in a gem material with a lower refractive index (like quartz), the blade pattern tends to appear more pronounced.
Enjoy cutting your own Pin Wheel.
Detailed faceting instructions by Jeff Graham available at The Rock Peddler
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