From Rough YAG to Stunning Princess Cut Gemstone ⭐ Full Faceting Process

This project was commissioned as a custom gemstone cutting job. The goal was to create a precision-cut Princess Cut gemstone with a final size of 15 mm and a finished weight of approximately 28 carats. From the initial design work in Gem Cut Studio to the final polish and beauty shots, you'll see every major step involved in transforming a rough synthetic crystal into a sparkling finished gemstone.

The Princess Cut is one of the most rewarding square gemstone cuts. Its combination of sharp geometry, multiple chevron facets, and brilliant-style light return creates exceptional sparkle when executed with precision. Throughout the video, I demonstrate how I plan the cut, optimize the angles for maximum brilliance, shape the pavilion and crown, perform the transfer process, and finish the stone with a high-quality polish.

Whether you're interested in lapidary art, gemstone faceting, gemology, synthetic gemstones, custom gem cutting, or simply enjoy watching precision craftsmanship, this video offers a detailed look into the fascinating world of gemstone creation.

TIMECODES
00:00 Introduction and Project Overview
00:30 Examining the Princess Cut Design
00:48 Optimizing Angles for Maximum Brilliance
01:08 Weight Estimation
01:31 Cutting Simulation
02:16 Preparing the Rough and Preforming the Pavilion
02:49 Refining the Facets with the Copper Lap
03:15 Pre-Polishing and Final Pavilion Polish
03:40 Stone Transfer Process
04:03 Faceting the Crown
04:49 Pre-Polishing and Polishing the Crown
05:00 Cutting and Polishing the Table
05:34 Brilliance Under Artificial Light
05:56 Appearance in Natural Daylight
06:08 Final Close-Up Showcase

ABOUT THE GEMSTONE
Material: Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG)
Dopant: Ytterbium
Color: Bluish Green / Aquamarine-like
Cut Style: Princess Cut
Dimensions: 15.2 mm x 15.2 mm
Weight: 28.72 Carats
Origin: Laboratory-Grown Crystal

TOOLS USED
• Gem Cut Studio
• Ultratec V5 Faceting Mast on Graves Mark 5XL base
• 380 Grit Electroplated Topper Lap
• 1200 Grit Charged Copper Lap
• 3000 Grit Zinc Lap
• 60,000 Grit Diamond on Batt Lap
• UV Resin Transfer System

WHY YAG?
YAG (Yttrium Aluminum Garnet) is a synthetic gemstone material widely appreciated by gem cutters and collectors because of its excellent transparency, durability, and optical performance. When properly faceted, YAG can produce remarkable brilliance and dispersion that rival many natural gemstones. Different dopants can create a wide range of colors, making it an exciting material for custom lapidary projects.
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