Hiddenite Faceting Information

Essential Tips and suggestions about Hiddenite Tourmaline Faceting. Helpful information, details and guides on how to Facet Hiddenite Tourmaline stones.

Home Learning Center Jewelry and Lapidary Cutting Information for Specific GemstonesHiddenite Faceting Information

By Jeff R. Graham

Hiddenite (Spodumene)

Color: Emerald green, yellow-green, yellow
Moh's Hardness: 6-7
Refractive Index: 1.655-1.68
Critical Angle: 37.31°
Specific Gravity: 3.16-3.20
Cleavage: perfect in 2 directions
Fracture: Uneven, very splintery
Dispersion: .017
Heat Sensitivity: Yes
Birefringence (double refraction): Medium (.015)
Crystal Structure: Monoclinic

Treatments: None

What I prefer to polishing with: Tin lap with Alumina oxide. Zinc laps with 8,000 pre-polish and 50,000 polish.

Jeff's Comments: Saw as little as possible, it is very tender and will fall apart from too much sawing and the vibration. Orient for best color which is usually the "c", cut slightly off the from the cleavage plane ("c"). Use a fine lap during the cutting process, a coarse lap tends to aggravate cleavage problems and chipping.

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.

View All Articles

Photo courtesy of <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/hiddenite-tourmaline-information/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/">liveauctioneers.com and <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/hiddenite-tourmaline-information/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/6186/kissing-auction/">Kissing Auction</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Tourmaline Gem, Price, and Jewelry Information

Tourmaline is a name applied to a family of related minerals with widely varying properties. Tourmalines make very popular jewelry...

Mint Tourmalines: Gemstones for Our Times

Mint tourmalines, with their pastel shades and great clarity, are becoming more popular. Learn why these gems are well-suited to...

CustomMade. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Tourmaline Engagement Rings: the Ultimate Guide

Thinking about a tourmaline engagement ring? Learn everything you need to know to buy your perfect gem, from hardness and...

Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Is fei cui a better term for "pyroxene jade" than jadeite? Jeffery Bergman reviews Broken Bangle, a new book on...

Joel E. Arem</a>, PhD, FGA. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

One of the rarest of all facetable gems, cut cuprites can show magnificent deep red color. However, these beautiful stones...

Photo courtesy of <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/hiddenite-tourmaline-information/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/">liveauctioneers.com and <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/hiddenite-tourmaline-information/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/1081/eros-auctions-inc/">Eros Auctions, Inc</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Gemstone Radiation Treatment

Gemstone radiation is a common but little understood technique for altering colors. Learn how it works and what gems usually...

Tanzanian Corundum

Is This a Topazolite Garnet?

Nigerian Gemstones

Is This an Opal?

Never Stop Learning

When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.

Become a Member

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!