IGS Background

Pearl: Faceting Design Diagram


Successful tips, details and guide on Faceting Designs. A Faceting Design Diagram by Jeff R. Graham that presents various cuts, this one is called "Pearl".

By Jeff R. Graham, updated on

Tourmaline (Achroite, Dravite, Rubellite, Indicolite, Verdelite, Siberite)

Pearl (CHECK33.JRG) 5.12 carat pink Tourmaline
By Jeff R. Graham
Copyright 2001
88.3% Light Return
Angles for R.I. = 1.62
53 facets + 17 facets on girdle = 70
1-fold, mirror-image symmetry
96 index
L/W = 1.165 T/W = 0.199 T/L = 0.171
P/W = 0.435 C/W = 0.217
H/W = (P+C)/W+0.02 = 0.672
P/H = 0.647 C/H = 0.324
Vol./W^3 = 0.241

Addition # 6 - I designed this to go with pearls. I wanted something roundish, but not quite round. I originally had Tourmaline in mind, but this works well for stones in refractive indexes 1.73 to 1.93 with no changes.


Random - Cosine - ISO

Detailed faceting instructions by Jeff Graham available at The Rock Peddler

Never Stop Learning

When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.

Become a Member

Get Gemology Insights

Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!