Gemology Certification Gemstone Cutting & Lapidary Arts 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What cutting style features a flat top (table) and a series of facets angling down to a pointed base called the culet?
- Brilliant cut (Correct answer)
- Cabochon cut
- Rose cut
- Step cut
Correct answer: Brilliant cut
The brilliant cut features a large flat table facet on top and angled facets converging toward the culet at the bottom to maximize light return.
Question 2: Which lapidary term describes the ratio of a gemstone's depth to its girdle diameter, critical for light performance?
- Depth percentage (Correct answer)
- Table percentage
- Crown angle
- Pavilion angle
Correct answer: Depth percentage
Depth percentage is calculated by dividing the stone's total depth by its girdle diameter and multiplying by 100, directly affecting brilliance and light leakage.
Question 3: A 'windowed' gemstone is one in which light passes straight through rather than reflecting back to the eye — what cutting fault causes this?
- Pavilion angles too shallow (Correct answer)
- Table too small
- Crown too high
- Girdle too thick
Correct answer: Pavilion angles too shallow
When pavilion angles are too shallow, light exits through the bottom instead of being internally reflected back through the crown, creating a 'window' effect.
Question 4: What is the name of the thin band that forms the outer edge of a faceted gemstone, separating the crown from the pavilion?
- Girdle (Correct answer)
- Culet
- Table
- Bezel
Correct answer: Girdle
The girdle is the narrow band around the widest part of the gemstone that separates the upper crown from the lower pavilion.
Question 5: In faceting, what does the term 'crown angle' refer to?
- Angle of the upper facets relative to the girdle plane (Correct answer)
- Angle of the pavilion facets
- The number of facets on the crown
- The height of the table above the girdle
Correct answer: Angle of the upper facets relative to the girdle plane
The crown angle is measured between the bezel (main crown) facets and the horizontal plane of the girdle, typically around 34–35° in a well-cut round brilliant.
Question 6: Which cutting style is preferred for gemstones with strong color saturation because it maximizes color retention rather than brilliance?
- Step cut (Correct answer)
- Brilliant cut
- Mixed cut
- Briolette cut
Correct answer: Step cut
Step cuts (emerald, asscher) have long parallel facets that create a hall-of-mirrors effect and retain more body color rather than scattering light for brilliance.
Gemology Certification Gemstone Cutting & Lapidary Arts 1
What cutting style features a flat top (table) and a series of facets angling down to a pointed base called the culet?