3D model and faceting diagram · 49 facets · 8.18 x 8.18 mm
The emerald step cut on a square outline, with cropped corners and concentric steps. Close in spirit to the Asscher, with a shallower, more open table.
The emerald step cut on a square outline, with cropped corners and concentric steps. Close in spirit to the Asscher, with a shallower, more open table.
A clean, architectural choice for centre stones and earrings.
Emerald Square Cut specifications
Measured from the delivered model, not quoted from a standard.
CategoryJewellery cuts
Facets49 planar facets (41 + 8 girdles = 49)
OutlineLength to width 1.000
Total depth49.2% of width
Crown angle (main)41.5°
Pavilion angle (main)28.2°
Reference size8.18 x 8.18 x 4.02 mm at 2.00 ct in diamond
Volume86.34 mm³
Cutting file accuracyEvery crown and pavilion facet within 0.202° of the 3D model (average 0.148°); girdle facets within 0.264°
Face-up: the crown facets, drawn from the model's own edges.Profile: 49.2% total depth.
Light Return map of the Emerald Square Cut in diamond. A computed render of the model's geometry, not a photograph.
The Emerald Square Cut in seven gemstones
The same geometry behaves differently in every material. Light that meets a pavilion facet at less than the
stone's critical angle passes straight out of the back instead of reflecting, which shows face-up as a window.
For each stone we measured how much of this model's pavilion, as seen face-down, is steeper than that angle, and
what the model weighs at its reference size. The pavilion mains of this design sit at 28.2°. As a rule of thumb a round design needs about 43.5° in amethyst for head-on light to reflect twice before it leaves the crown, so the mains are worth steepening for diamond, moissanite, cubic zirconia, ruby, sapphire, emerald, amethyst.
Head-on light, first reflection. A full light-return census is part of the Brilliani Labs engine and will come to this page.
Emerald Square Cut: questions
What files come with the Emerald Square Cut 3D model?
Six formats: STEP (the exact faceted solid for CAD), 3DM for Rhino, STL and OBJ meshes, FBX for Blender, 3ds Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, Unity and Unreal, and GLB for the web and AR. All are in millimetres at real-world scale, with 49 planar facets.
Is there a faceting diagram for the Emerald Square Cut?
Yes. The cutting files contain a GemCad .asc design (41 + 8 girdles = 49 facets, 96 index, 4-fold symmetry), a tier table with angles, indices and cutting order in CSV, and a printable faceting diagram.
Does the Emerald Square Cut work in sapphire, emerald or amethyst?
We measured the pavilion of this model against the critical angle of each stone. In Moissanite, the whole pavilion reflects head-on light; in Ruby, Sapphire, Emerald, Amethyst, part of the pavilion lets light out of the back, so a steeper pavilion is advised. The pavilion mains of this design sit at 28.2°. As a rule of thumb a round design needs about 43.5° in amethyst for head-on light to reflect twice before it leaves the crown, so the mains are worth steepening for diamond, moissanite, cubic zirconia, ruby, sapphire, emerald, amethyst.
How accurate is the Emerald Square Cut cutting file?
We check it facet by facet against the 3D model it was written from. Every crown and pavilion facet within 0.202° of the 3D model (average 0.148°); girdle facets within 0.264°. The angles are the ones you set on the machine; the 3D model is the same stone you render or set.
How big is the Emerald Square Cut model, and what does it weigh?
The model measures 8.18 x 8.18 x 4.02 mm, which is 2.00 ct in diamond. The same size weighs 1.39 ct in moissanite, 2.50 ct in cubic zirconia, 1.73 ct in ruby, 1.73 ct in sapphire, 1.17 ct in emerald, 1.14 ct in amethyst. Scale it uniformly to any size: weight follows the cube of the size.
Can I 3D print or cast the Emerald Square Cut model?
Yes. The mesh is watertight and manifold, with outward normals and no duplicate vertices, so it prints and casts without repair. Use the STEP file when you need the exact faceted solid in CAD.