Tips for Cutting Kunzite

Proper Orientation for Cutting Kunzite

The most important part of cutting any delicate gem is proper orientation. Kunzite has cleavage planes that run up and down the C-axis. For the best color, you’ll need to place the table on the C-axis. That will put the cleavage plane right on the girdle, which is a particular source of trouble. However, there is an easy way to minimize it.

For the sake of illustration, let’’s assume you have a rectangular piece of rough. You want to put it in the faceting machine so the cleavage is oriented to the 0 index. An emerald-cut shape with this orientation would be impossible. Every time you’d try to cut a girdle facet it would splinter on you. I point this out primarily so you know what to avoid.

The trick here is to cut an oval or cushion, where the girdle facets are a couple of teeth off the cleavage plane. If you work this slowly, you can easily cut it without breakage. (It’s helpful to pre-polish and polish the girdle while the facets are still thick, before moving on to the pavilion facets).

Lap Recommendations for Cutting Kunzite

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