BY JIM PERKINS
FACETING FOCUS
Around brilliant is often the first cut a new faceter learns. After that first cut, most become anxious to learn how to cut a “fancy shape.” Fancy shapes are anything besides a round stone. I spent a lot of time developing computergenerated oval designs and other fancy shaped designs that are easy enough for beginners and also an enjoyable experience for advanced faceters. I avoid pre-Gem Cad designs, due to inaccuracies I’ve discovered. I would rather create my own designs using Gem Cad for Windows®.