FASHIONING AND CUTTING
Gem materials have been fashioned and polished for millions of years- and if they have been left in their rough state, it would be because they look just fine as they are, and their natural beauty and desirability is worth retaining. For others, there may be a belief that the strength, soul or energy of the gemstone may be released or in someway affected detrimentally by intervention.
The vast majority of gem materials, however, can be improved by the creative and practical skills of the artist and scientist. As techniques and skills have developed, the range of possibilities for the sculptor, carver, or the lapidary and others has grown, but the aim has remained the same - to work with natural materials to bring out their best qualities.
The transformation from the rough gem (such as a pebble, crystal, or crystal fragment) to the finished product (a valuable, sparkling gemstone) depends upon the expertise of the lapidary. The style of cutting or fashioning chosen will depend primarily on the optical and physical properties of the gem and the shape and condition of the rough stone.
