Guide to Gemstone Cutting Styles: Shapes, Facets & What to Know

Choosing the perfect gemstone means more than color and clarity—it’s also about the cut. The way a gem is shaped and faceted determines its brilliance, character, and how it reflects light. In this guide, California jewelry designer Lisa Ramos breaks down the most popular gemstone cuts—from classic round to unique fancy shapes—to help you choose a style that fits your personal taste and lifestyle.

How Gemstone Cutting Impacts Appearance

Every cut has its own charm: some enhance sparkle, while others show off the gem’s color or create a vintage feel. Cutting time varies too—a small faceted gem may take up to 5 hours, while intricate styles can take days. Let’s explore what makes each one special.

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Gemstone Cutting Styles Chart

Gemstone Type	Gemstone Facts
Round	Most popular with 58 facets
Cushion	Most popular with 58 facets
Radiant	Most popular cut.
Princess	Most popular with 57 facets
Asscher	74 facets
Trilliant	Most popular with 31-50 facets
Heart	Most popular with 56-58 facets
Lozenge	8 facets
Oval	Most popular with 58 facets
Baguette	Most popular with 14 facets
Emerald	Most popular with 50 facets
Tapered Baguette	Most popular with 14 facets.
Pear	58 facets
Marquise	Most popular with 57 facets
Half Moon
Rhomboid
Whistle
Trapeze
Bullet
Fan
Kite

Green and pink tourmaline gemstones - emerald and baguette cut styles

Faceting vs. Cabochon

Faceted gems sparkle through precise cuts, while smooth, domed cabochons showcase color, chatoyancy, or depth—perfect for gems like opal or moonstone.

Shopping Checklist: Choosing the Right Cut

• Set your budget—more complex cuts typically cost more.
• Consider lifestyle—facets add sparkle but can be more fragile.
• Remember the 4 C’s: Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat.
• Check durability via our Mohs Hardness Scale.
• Think about maintenance—some cuts can hide scratches better than others.

Simple Checklist for Gemstone Jewelry Shopping

• Establish a budget. A budget helps determine what types of gems fall into your price range. 
• Familiarize yourself with the 4 C's about gems. The four C's are color, clarity, cut and carat. The 4 C's determine the value and cost of a gem. The 4 C's will help you understand the quality and style cut of your gemstone purchase. 
• Ask yourself how important is a gems durability? How will your gemstone wear overtime? Are you rough on jewelry? These questions will narrow down what stones fit within your lifestyle. Review the Mohs Hardness Scale . The Mohs scale measures the hardness of various minerals from 1 through 10 - one being the softest and ten the hardest. A softer a stone is more likely to get damaged and requires special care.  
• Learn about how to care for your gemstone. Some stones can not be put in an ultrasound cleaner, while others can. So, it is important to understand how to care for your gemstone jewelry.