Your Guide to Moissanite Faceting Types
At TMC Fine Jewellers, we have proudly pioneered the jewellery industry with our own Signature Range of moissanites: The Moissanite Company Signature Moissanite.
With expert growth and gem-cutting technologies at the core of our practices, Our Signature Moissanite is grown and cut to the exacting standards set by TMC Fine Jewellers to create the most diamond-like alternative, in terms of quality and appearance.
What can make moissanite truly exceptional, however, is the ability to personalise your gemstone through faceting. Faceting types are one of the many elements that give your moissanite engagement ring its unique character and mesmerising brilliance. Whether you desire a subtle glow or a dazzling sparkle, we have created this journal of the most common moissanite faceting types to help you discover, or craft, your dream ring to last a lifetime of love.
What is faceting?
Faceting refers to how the gemstone has been cut and determines the internal appearance of the stone itself, rather than the shape. This process is undergone via grinding and polishing a stone to create a beautifully finished moissanite for your heirloom piece.
Unlike diamonds, which are cut to maximise carat weight, moissanite gemstones are cut and faceted to maximise the fire and brilliance we all adore. Depending on the chosen cut, two stones in the same shape can appear quite differently. This is because the pattern and arrangement of facets on the stone, determined by the faceting process, has a direct impact on the stone’s overall visual appearance, including its brilliance, fire and its distinctive look.
In this journal, we’ll be comparing the difference between moissanite faceting types for each gemstone shape. By better understanding the properties and characteristics of each, you can journey with quiet confidence when designing your forever ring.
Please note, in the jewellery industry, the term “cut” is also used interchangeably with “shape” - referring to the external shape of the gemstone. Please be aware of this throughout the journal.
Oval
Our oval cut lab-grown gemstones exude timeless elegance. This shape has a beautiful modern appeal, boasting a beautiful elongated appearance and is available in four different faceting types; Brilliant, Crushed Ice, Old Mine Cut, and Rose Cut.
Brilliant Cut Faceting
A more traditional style, an oval shaped Brilliant Cut moissanite gemstone contains 70 precise facets. The cut of the stone is carefully crafted to ensure light travels efficiently through the centre of the stone, and reflects off multiple facets to create a clear and bright sparkle.
Crushed Ice Cut Faceting
Boasting a more subtle sparkle, a Crushed Ice Cut moissanite stone has a multitude of small, randomised facets within the pavilion of the stone. The smaller facets of the crushed ice moissanite create a contrast between white light and the dispersed coloured light that is said to make the gemstone appear more diamond-like.
Old Mine Cut Faceting
Perfectly imperfect. Old Mine Cut moissanites have a beautiful, unique appearance that dates back to an era when diamonds were cut and polished by hand. At TMC, we offer a modern version of this heritage-rich faceting type.
Rose Cut Faceting
A beautiful and inimitable faceting type. Much like the petals of a fully bloomed rose, Rose Cut moissanite showcases a domed table covered in distinctive triangular facets. This faceting type has a more subtle glow compared to a Brilliant or Crushed Iced Cut oval moissanite - the perfect choice if you’re looking to adorn your ring with a touch of individuality.
Elongated Cushion
Offering a unique blend of oval and rectangular stone shapes, an elongated cushion has slightly curved sides but is still rectangular in shape. If an elongated cushion moissanite has captured your heart, you can choose between three faceting types; Brilliant Cut Faceting, Crushed Ice Cut Faceting, and Old Mine Cut Faceting.
Brilliant Cut Faceting
An elongated cushion with Brilliant Cut Faceting is a dreamy and innately elegant combination, offering an incredible sparkle unrivalled by any other cut. The clear and bright light dazzling between the seemingly endless facets is simply mesmerising.
Crushed Ice Cut Faceting
An elongated cushion moissanite with Crushed Ice Cut Faceting has a greater number of facets within the pavilion of the stone, each with a different angle. This unique arrangement produces a distinct “crushed ice” effect where light enters the stone and reflects in multiple different directions. Sometimes the light will bounce back up, while other times it exists the stone entirely. This faceting type is perfect for lovers of sophisticated, yet subtle, style.
Old Mine Cut Faceting
The deep, large facets of an Old Mine Cut elongated cushion produce a unique fire, giving the lab-gown gemstone a softer look than modern brilliant gemstone cuts. This cut will be sure to capture the hearts of those who adore vintage style.
Emerald
The epitome of elegance. Distinguished by its step-cut faceting and rectangular shape, an emerald cut moissanite exudes beauty like no other. When choosing an Emerald Moissanite, your beautiful gemstone will have Step Cut Faceting.
Step Cut Faceting
Reminiscent of its namesake, gemstones with Step Cut Faceting feature linear straight facets parallel to the girdle of the gemstones, showing off the stone's impeccable colour and clarity. These facets create an understated and elegant look, emitting a divine subtle gleam, with sharp flashes of light.
Pear
This beautiful gemstone shape combines the timeless round cut shape with a unique tapered point and is available with Brilliant Cut Faceting, Crushed Ice Cut Faceting, or Rose Cut Faceting.
Brilliant Cut Faceting
A pear gemstone with Brilliant Cut Faceting features a similar brilliance to that of an oval or round but is adapted to an asymmetrical outline, featuring one rounded end and one pointed end. The vertical facets on the pavilion of the diamond provide the same type of scintillation produced by a round brilliant but in a fancy shape.
Crushed Ice Cut Faceting
Whilst this stunning faceting type reflects light less ‘brilliantly’, it has its own subtle beauty. A pear moissanite with Crushed Iced Facing is perfect for those who value quiet sophistication.
Rose Cut Faceting
First popular in the Georgian and Victorian Eras, the Rose Cut was designed to sparkle under candlelight. Since then, it has reemerged as an ethereal, antique-inspired alternative to a more brilliant gemstone cut. The fewer facets of a Rose Cut moissanite result in a soft diffused light, a divine choice for those dreaming of something truly unique.
Marquise
A marquise moissanite boasts a striking elongated design, featuring a tapered point at both ends. Marquise moissanite is a beautiful choice for those who desire a chic and contemporary appeal, and has the option between two faceting types; Brilliant and Crushed Ice.
Brilliant Cut Faceting
The type and number of facets within a Brilliant Cut moissanite stone is optimised to refract the most light, and therefore sparkle the most. A sublime choice for dreaming of their forever ring having the most fire and brilliance.
Crushed Ice Cut Faceting
A marquise moissanite with Crushed Ice Cut Faceting offers a romantic glow, more subtle than that of a Brilliant Cut. This is due to the multitude of small, randomised facets within the pavilion of the stone.
Asscher
Recognised for its captivating square shape, and step cut facets, this beautiful gemstone is simply breathtaking. When choosing an asscher moissanite, your beautiful gemstone will have Step Cut Faceting.
Step Cut Faceting
Step Cut Faceting is subdued and sophisticated, emitting a divine subtle glow, with sharp flashes of light, drawing attention to the centre of the stone. This cut will capture hearts.
Radiant
A radiant cut moissanite features a rectangular-shaped gemstone with truncated corners, similar to that of an emerald. When selecting a radiant shape moissanite, you have the choice between Brilliant Cut Faceting and Crushed Ice Cut Faceting.
Brilliant Cut Faceting
A radiant moissanite with Brilliant Cut Faceting boasts a modern and contemporary feel. With this faceting style, light will go down into the centre of the stone, reflect off of the clear and precise facets, and come back out through the stone, creating a hypnotising display of fire and brilliance.
Crushed Ice Cut Faceting
A radiant moissanite with Crushed Ice Cut Faceting will reflect multiple times inside the stone, sometimes exiting instead of reflecting back up. This creates a more subtle glow than a Brilliant Cut gemstone due to the contrast between white light and the dispersed coloured light within the gemstone.
Round
An eternal classic, round cut is still popular and has been for decades. It guarantees a simple, classic style that will stand the test of time. At TMC, we offer our round moissanite in two different faceting types; Brilliant Cut Faceting and Old European Cut Faceting.
Brilliant Cut Faceting
A traditional and classic cut, round brilliant moissanite is expertly designed to optimise light refraction and maximise fire and brilliance. The type and number of facets within a Brilliant Cut moissanite stone are designed for light to go down into the centre of the stone, reflect off of the clear and precise facets, and come back out through the stone. A simply mesmerising faceting type.
Old European Cut Faceting
A mesmerising antique-inspired cut. The Old European Cut is a round gemstone cut. Primarily cut between 1890-1930, this faceting type has a softer look than brilliant gemstone cuts and is easily recognisable by the small circle at the centre of the gemstone’s table. A perfect choice for those who are captivated by a more vintage style.
Cushion
A cushion cut moissanite boasts a timeless appeal, featuring a square-rectangular cut with rounded corners. At TMC, we offer this beloved gemstone shape in three different faceting types; Brilliant Cut Faceting, Crushed Ice Cut Faceting and Old Mine Cut Faceting.
Brilliant Cut Faceting
A brilliant cushion cut moissanite has large, precise facets that enhance the dazzling brilliance and fire of the gemstone, creating a dazzling play of light. The epitome of timeless beauty.
Crushed Ice Cut Faceting
A cushion cut moissanite with Crushed Ice Faceting, boasts a more subtle sparkle, this faceting type will reflect multiple times inside the stone, sometimes exiting instead of reflecting up.
Old Mine Cut Faceting
Offering a modern version of this heritage-rich faceting type, a cushion cut moissanite with Old mine Cut Faceting produces a unique fire, giving the gemstone a softer look than modern brilliant gemstone cuts. A factoring type that is sure to capture hearts.
At TMC Fine Jewellers, our Signature Moissanite gemstones are all hand cut. This allows for each stone to be perfectly faceted and cut to exact proportions that ensure the optical properties are second to none. They are D colour and VVS1 clarity, meaning whichever you choose, you’ll have the highest quality moissanite stone in your heirloom piece. Which faceting type you choose ultimately comes down to your personal preference.
Moissanite is the perfect choice if you’re searching for an affordable, ethical alternative to a diamond ring. At TMC Fine Jewellers, we utilise our highest quality The Moissanite Company Signature Moissanite paired with impeccable craftsmanship to bring your forever ring to life. We’re here to walk with you every step of the journey. Get in touch today to receive a no-obligation quote from one of our jewellery experts, or discover our Signature Ring Builder and bring your dream moissanite engagement ring to life.
