Once rough stones are chosen, they are then fashioned into finely cut, many faceted, polished stones of much value.

Gem cutting is an art itself as one wrong move could render a priceless stone, worthless.

With the invention of high-tech machinery, traditional methods used in Gem cutting have gradually disappeared throughout history.

Bow cutting is still in use mainly to cut expensive corundum or to perform other gems. The method is especially used to cut star sapphires, chrysoberyl and kornerupine cat’s eyes.

The following is the more traditional way.

(Pics : Roshan Chathuranga)