Once upon a short time ago, all faceted and cabochon cut gemstones displayed a traditional disciplined shape. Faceted stones featured a round brilliant cut or one ofits variations, and cabochons routinely were cut in rounded or domed geometric patterns such as ovals, squares and circles.

A Fine Art Deco emerald, diamond and enamel brooch, by Cartier

 

Once upon a short time ago, all faceted and cabochon cut gemstones displayed a traditional disciplined shape. Faceted stones featured a round brilliant cut or one ofits variations, and cabochons routinely were cut in rounded or domed geometric patterns such as ovals, squares and circles.

Along came some enterprising lapidaries and they started mixing the two disciplines. Not only did they start cutting face-table crystals using cabochon techniques and vice versa, but they also began adding peculiar channels, tunnels, dish effects, plateaus, and step conceits. These innovation quickly caught the gem cutting world–and the world of Fantasy cutting has been flying ever since.

A Fine Art Deco emerald, diamond and enamel brooch, by Cartier

Gorgeous Sapphire Rings