Plus Cushion: Faceting Design Diagram
Successful tips and guide on Faceting Designs. A Faceting Design Diagram by Jeff R. Graham that presents various cuts, this one is called "Plus Cushion".
Tourmaline (Achroite, Dravite, Rubellite, Indicolite, Verdelite, Siberite)
Plus Cushion (CHECK16.JRG)
By Jeff R. Graham
Copyright 2001
93.1% Light Return
Angles for R.I. = 1.62
45 facets + 12 facets on girdle = 57
4-fold, mirror-image symmetry
96 index
L/W = 1.000 T/W = 0.219 T/L = 0.219
P/W = 0.429 C/W = 0.157
H/W = (P+C)/W+0.02 = 0.606
P/H = 0.708 C/H = 0.259
Vol./W^3 = 0.211
Addition # 6 - No changes for refractive indexes 1.62 to 1.93… This is really a "Money Cut", it's fast, will cut in about any material, and is very nice. The light return on this design is very high and I tend to prefer medium colored materials in this cut.
Random - Cosine - ISO
Detailed faceting instructions by Jeff Graham available at The Rock Peddler
Jeff R. Graham
The late Jeff Graham was a prolific faceter, creator of many original faceting designs, and the author of several highly-regarded instructional faceting books such as Gram Faceting Designs.
Related Articles
Tourmaline Gem, Price, and Jewelry Information
Chrome Tourmaline Buying Guide
Mint Tourmalines: Gemstones for Our Times
Top Spots for Gem Hunting in the US
Latest Articles
Table of Refractive Indices and Double Refraction of Selected Gems
Red Gemstones: Ruby, Spinel, Garnet, and Other Great Picks for Jewelry
Jadeite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Tips for Cutting and Polishing Halite
Never Stop Learning
When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.
Get Gemology Insights
Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!