IGS Background

Ralph’s Byte: Faceting Design Diagram


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

By Jeff R. Graham, updated on

Feldspar (Sunstone, Orthoclase, Bytownite, Labardorite, Aventurine)

Ralph's Byte (BYTE1.JRG)
by Jeff R. Graham
Copyright 1994
75% Light Return
Angles for R.I. = 1.54
97 facets + 8 facets on girdle = 105
8-fold, mirror-image symmetry
96 index
L/W = 1.000 T/W = 0.555 T/L = 0.555
P/W = 0.489 C/W = 0.173
H/W = (P+C)/W+0.02 = 0.682
P/H = 0.717 C/H = 0.254
Vol./W^3 = 0.260

Addition # 1 - This design is a little hard to cut. The steps on the bottom are about even, the top steps get smaller as they go to the table. The steps can be cut to your own taste, 1-16cts. Cut in refractive indexes 1.54 to 1.93 (83.9%) with no changes. This cuts well in Beryl, Feldspar (Sunstone),and Topaz.

 

 


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!