CheckMate – Reflector: Online Faceting Designs and Diagrams
Jeff Graham’s CheckMate gem design is a great choice for quartz or beryl earrings, especially for large stones in medium to light colors.
1 Minute Read
You can find cutting instructions for the CheckMate here.
Cutting Remarks
This is a neat one. The flashes are a true check, or square, something a brilliant bottom won't do. You won't find this design any harder to cut than a standard checker. As the stone gets large, the flats on the bottom take some time and caution when polishing.
I think the CheckMate performs well with low refractive index (RI) gems, like beryl and quartz. With medium to light-colored stones, you can really see the check squares as the material gets towards the light side. I also think it works best in a larger stone. I recommend at least 8 mm but prefer it in 14 mm. The CheckMate makes great earrings and reminds me of the old hand-cut buttons coats used to have.
A Real Reflector
Take a look at the photo of the CheckMate below. This Marabá amethyst isn't as pink as the photo might suggest. Although this stone does have quite a bit of magenta shot through it, what you see here is the reflected colors from the surroundings when the photograph was taken. (We were in just a normal room with white walls).
This design seems to reflect and mirror everything around it, which makes it hard to photograph. Nevertheless, it's a very pretty design.
Have fun cutting your own CheckMate.
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.
Related Articles
Beginner Check: Faceting Design Diagram
Whalm Palm: Faceting Design Diagram
Tess’s Pentagram: Faceting Design Diagram
Crystal: Faceting Design Diagram
Latest Articles
Classic Engagement Ring Stones
Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review
Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Gemstone Radiation Treatment
Never Stop Learning
When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.
Get Gemology Insights
Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!