There are many forms of gemstones that are available in the market. Not every form is easily identifiable, especially if you are looking for a gift for someone special. For centuries, craftsmen have mastered the art of cutting and shaping gemstones in eloquent ways to suit every taste. Gem collectors look for a particular range of gemstones when it comes to shapes, cuts, colours, and above all, their forms.
Here are top gemstone forms that you must know, just in case you are planning to gift enticing rock to your loved one.
Cabochon
Simplest form of gemstone that you would find in the market is a cabochon. It looks elegant in its round and polished appearance. The top is slightly flattened while the bottom sits on the surface. The top is polished while the bottom is sanded. Cabochon cutting is done using a special tool called cab or a dopping stick.
Cabochon stone:
Opal, turquoise, onyx, moonstone, and star sapphire
Faceted gems
Faceting is exclusively done for transparent and translucent gemstones. The flat facet of the gemstone is cut and shaped across the total surface. It is a highly symmetrical form and exudes uniform radiance when viewed from 2D and 3D angles. Dopping of faceted gemstones is done using epoxy and acrylic glue wax.
Faceting technique has improved over the years. Today, gemstones are bestowed with concave facets, grooves and cabbed facets to derive absolutely virgin cuts and shapes.
Faceted gems:
Spinel, diamond, amethyst, garnet
Beads, ovals and Spheres
Aquamarines and tourmaline gems are cut and shaped into beads and spheres. They are worn as necklace, pendants and bracelets.
Spheres are sawed into complex shapes resembling a cubed or a dice. Dodecahedron is the world’s largest selling polished gems form manufactured using concave cutters and pipes. Perfect spheres are obtained using a combination of grinding, lapping and sanding. The beads, ovals and sphere gemstone forms are drilled through the centre to make room for stringing.
Gemstones available as beads and spheres:
Inlays
When two different materials are grooved into each other, it is called an inlay form. It is often done for opaqyue rocks and gems. Gemstone inlay are produced by cutting and fitting it into another material. For instance, Jade, Mother of Pearl, lapis lazuli, onyx, turquoise and cat’s eye is often embedded into a hollow recess of a metal or another stone. Inlays make up for a gift for men and women who are looking for birthstone gemstones, especially those born in months that have two gemstones in their name. Amber and pearl are other gemstones that are commercially thriving owing to their availability in complex and convoluted inlay forms.
Mosaics and Intarisas
Intarsia and Mosaics are complex grouping of two or more different chips of gemstones. They are often fitted and glued together to recreate a particular design. Floral patterns, scenes from Renaissance and painting miniatures garner wide-scale attention from buyers looking for an anniversary or a birthday gift. Florentine mosaic of turquoise, topaz and rubies are very popular much like intaglios and cameos.
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