GEMS, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL 



brilliancy of a gem are sacrificed in the process. As 

 there seems to be no reasonable explanation of this 

 loss of brilliancy, however, it is possible that it is largely 

 imaginary. 



In diamond-cutting, in addition to the necessary 

 skill, a great amount of force is used; whereas, in 

 cutting such stones as sapphires, emeralds, rubies, etc. 

 the "oriental gems," as they are called a delicacy 

 of touch must be acquired which is quite as essential 

 to good workmanship as a knowledge of the way the 

 surfaces should be cut. The gem to be cut is cemented 

 to the end of a piece of hard wood, or ivory, about the 

 size of a lead pencil, so as to be conveniently held in 

 the hand. Using this as a handle, the gem-cutter holds 

 the stone at any desired angle against a horizontal re- 

 volving metal disk covered with some erosive material 

 such as diamond dust, emery, or carborundum, which- 

 ever is best suited to the nature of the stone to be cut. 

 The gem is first fashioned roughly into the shape it is 

 ultimately to assume, and all faulty parts are removed. 

 The facets are then cut, and the stone is ready for 

 polishing. The majority of transparent stones are 

 cut in the form of "brilliants," although the emerald 

 is the exception, being cut square or oblong in the form 

 known as the "step-cut." Such stones as the opal, tur- 

 quoise, moonstone, cat's-eye, and star-stone are not cut 

 with angular facets, but with curved convex surfaces, 

 or "en cabochon," as it is called. 



Just as in the case of the diamond, the cutting proc- 

 ess is followed by that of polishing the gem. The 

 polishing-wheel may be made of either iron, brass, gun- 



