Alpha Brilliant

Gemcad by Jeff Ford

Novice stone USFG 2008 competition

This is cutters choice. I chose corundum because for me it is the easiest to polish. You want to choose whatever is the easiest to polish for you. There is only one angle on the pavilion, I used 41 degrees. I cut all pavilion facets to center point. Then cut the girdle facets. Follow the line around and make sure all girdle facets are equal. Now polish the girdle, then your pavilion facets. Make sure all meet equally at the culet. Don't give up points for facets not meeting at the culet.d

I transferred the stone and followed the line around with C1 facets, I was off just slightly and after a small cheater adjustment went around again and it met perfectly. I used a 600 lap to do this. I now put a 1200 lap on and cut the girdle line again, once I was convinced that it would meet the starting point, I now set the girdle to .03mm by using an old piece of jewelers saw blade that is .03. You can use wire or anything, just measure with your calipers to check for size, then hold up next to the girdle and check it with your loupe.

I then cut C2 in to meet point at the girdle line. I then cut the table with just a slight over cut and polished it. Now start at the break (girdle facets) and polish, when you now polish C2 (mains) you must hit all three meet points at the same time, use your cheater and micro adjuster to do this.

I spent around 4 hours on this stone, for a novice 4 or 5 days would be a reasonable time.
*As a side note, weigh your stone if possible and measure it very accurately, this can really help if there is a mix up.

Test cut OK by Art Kavan

Co-Chair USFG Competition Committee

Jeff Ford