Chinese Checker - malaya garnetChinese Checker - malaya garnet

Chinese Checker: Online Faceting Designs and Diagrams


Many square gem designs lack appeal because they’re not very bright. Jeff Graham’s Chinese Checker cut combines good light return with a square outline.

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Jeff Graham's Chinese Checker gem design combines a high light return with a square outline.
Chinese Checker gem design
Chinese Checker gem design by Jeff Graham © 1999.

You can find cutting instructions for the Chinese Checker here.

Cutting Remarks

Chinese Checker - malaya garnet
Chinese Checker, 6.49 cts, 9.2 x 7.9 mm deep, cut from a flawless rose malaya garnet by Jeff Graham.

I wanted to design something that had a high light return, like a round brilliant, but with a very square outline. A lot of square designs don't have much appeal because they're just not very bright or distinctive. I think my Chinese Checker pretty much takes care of these issues.

This design cuts well with no changes in garnet, quartz, and tourmaline. It works best in a medium to light-colored material and will darken it a fair amount, because of its depth.

Enjoy cutting your own Chinese Checker.

Chinese Checker - array
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.

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