Tumbling

Simpliest form of Gem Cutting. This is where the rough material is put in a revolving barrel with abrasives. Progressively finer abrasives are used, until a polish is obtained. This process closely resembles what happens to rock in a stream or on the beach, except that the level of polish is much higher.

Cabochon, or as it is more commonly known, cutting Cabs, is probably the most common form of Gem Cutting. Cabs are gems that are cut with a flat bottom and curved or domed top.

Faceting is the style of cutting that has the greatest profit potential. If you can envision (imaging) of a diamond, you are looking at a faceted gem. The surfaces of a diamond is covered with several geometrically arranged, flat surfaces. Each of these flat surface is called a facet.
The purpose of faceting is to bring out the brilliance of a gem. That is where the light entering the stone is reflected off the bottom facets and returned to the viewer. Brilliance should not be confused with fire, which is the multicoloured flashes you see coming out of diamonds and some other gems.

Carving

Carving is the most challenging of the lapidary arts and only few recognized experts in the field.

- For both Cabs and Faceted Gems, the top is called the crown. (widest part of the gem)
Cabochon Cutting
Faceting
  
 
Four basic styles of Gem Cutting
 
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