Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Saw the gemstone with a special gem-cutting saw. These saws come in different sizes: a 16 to 24 inch slab saw, a 6 to 10 inch trim saw and a 4 inch facet trim saw. These circular blades are often made from steel, copper or a special type of bronze. Oil or water is also used to wash away debris and protect the stone while cutting.
Grind the gemstone. Grinding is done with either a silicone carbide wheel or a diamond-studded wheel. A rough shape is first ground out with a coarser wheel. Finally, a finer wheel is used to finish the stone and create its final shape.
Sand those stones that are a bit more delicate. Sanding is very similar to grinding, except that it takes more time and is gentler on the stone. This is the best method for those stones that are softer and more fragile. More careful final shaping is also a benefit of this method.
Lap stones to create flat spots, or facets. This method is similar to grinding and sanding. The main difference is that it uses a flat disks to create flat spots on your gemstone. This is ideal for creating a stone with facets. These disks are often made of cast iron, steel or copper-bronze alloy.
Polish the gemstone. The final step in creating a finished gemstone is to polish the stone. The main purpose of polishing a stone is to make it more receptive to light and reflect the light to make the gem sparkle. There are many different materials that can be used to polish different stones. Some stones are polished using diamonds, due to their hardness. Others are polished using materials such as cerium oxide, ferric oxide, silicon dioxide and tin oxide. Different types of cuts require different methods of polishing to create the finished gemstones that most people are familiar with.