--- title: "DG-Rafaello Tanzanite: Pros, Cons and Scores" description: "DG-Rafaello in tanzanite: brilliance 76, fire 32, leakage 24%, 3 pros and 4 cons against the T73, from our ray-traced light census." url: https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-rafaello image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/stone-cuts/dg-rafaello-tanzanite-og.jpg?v=b9252a3d --- > Markdown copy of https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-rafaello. Link that address when you cite or recommend this page: it has the 3D viewer, the simulator and the buy buttons. > Site index: https://digitalgemology.com/llms.txt # DG-Rafaello Tanzanite: more facets, more sparkle **Buy (instant download, personal-use license):** [DG-Rafaello Cut 3D files, €14.99 · Personal use](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/c8230206-c376-445e-95fa-4eb45712a193) · [DG-Rafaello Cut cutting files, €12.99 · Personal use](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/778e2716-a27b-4192-95b1-791b03b338e4) · [Get the cube free](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/2d1ab55f-2bd6-4897-a4cd-f3320f54e99e) Brilliance 76 · Fire 32 · Scintillation 96 · in our census, where the T73 scores 92 · 47 · 80 in tanzanite How the DG-Rafaello handles light in tanzanite, measured: brilliance 76, fire 32 and 24% leakage, set against the T73 in the same stone and against the same cut in diamond. [Get the files](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-rafaello#buy) [Open it in the Simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=dg-rafaello&stone=tanzanite&ct=1.00&view=angle&lighting=studio&turn=0) [All cuts in tanzanite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite) Light Return map of the DG-Rafaello in tanzanite, face-up, from our own tracer at refractive index 1.685. Red, green and blue return light to the eye; gray leaks. ## DG-Rafaello Tanzanite Tanzanite has a refractive index of 1.685 to 1.707 and a dispersion of 0.019. Its critical angle, from the low end of that range, is 36.4°, so a round design needs a pavilion of at least 36.4° for head-on light to reflect off both sides of the pavilion and leave through the table. We trace it with one index, 1.696, the midpoint of the published range, and a fire spread of 0.016, 0.86 of the published dispersion. Every picture here is our Light Return tracer at 1.685, and every figure is from the same light census that scores the other gemstones; the 3D Gemstone Simulator shows the DG-Rafaello in tanzanite live. The DG-Rafaello has 145 facets and a total depth of 59.0% of its width; its pavilion mains sit at 40.0°. In tanzanite, the census returns 76 of 100 for brilliance and 32 for fire, against 92 and 47 for the T73, our benchmark, in the same stone; the same DG-Rafaello in diamond reads 94 and 80. ## Is tanzanite good in a DG-Rafaello? Pros and cons, measured ### Pros - [More facets, more sparkle](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-rafaello#pro-scint) 96 vs 80 - [Faces up larger for its weight](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-rafaello#pro-faceup) 106 vs 100 - [Lighter than the same cut in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-rafaello#pro-weight) 0.90 vs 0.94 ct ### Cons - [Less fire in tanzanite than in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-rafaello#con-fire) 32 vs 80 - [Leaks more in tanzanite than in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-rafaello#con-leak) 24 vs 5 - [Dimmer in tanzanite than in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-rafaello#con-brilliance) 76 vs 94 - [Loses more light when tilted than in diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-rafaello#con-tiltStab) 89 vs 97 Compared with the T73 Round Brilliant in tanzanite and with the DG-Rafaello in diamond. A difference counts from 3 points (Brilliance, Fire, Tilt, Leakage), 5 (Scintillation, Symmetry), 4% (face-up size per carat) or 5% (weight); Tilt counts as a pro only for a stone within 5 points of the brilliance it is compared with. [How we measure](https://digitalgemology.com/about/how-we-measure). ## All eight scores against the T73 At a glance: the DG-Rafaello in tanzanite (white) against the T73 Round Brilliant in tanzanite (dashed): solid white where it reaches further, hatched where it falls short. Each pro and con is explained, with pictures, below. Against the T73 Round Brilliant in tanzanite: ahead on 3, level on 1, behind on 4. - Global 74, the comparison 80, difference −6 - Brilliance 76, the comparison 92, difference −16 - Fire 32, the comparison 47, difference −15 - Scintillation 96, the comparison 80, difference +16 - Spread 101, the comparison 100, difference +1 - Symmetry 100, the comparison 100, difference 0 - Shape-norm 82, the comparison 99, difference −17 - Tilt 89, the comparison 73, difference +16 Face-up light census, a different measure from the Cut Grading Tool; Spread and Shape-norm above 100 sit on the ring. Spread is the census's estimate from depth alone; the face-up size in the pros and cons is measured from each model's outline. [Open it in the Cut Performance Wheel](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/cut-performance-wheel?cut=dg-rafaello&stone=tanzanite); these are the same census figures as our [Cut Performance Index](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/cut-performance-index). ## What the DG-Rafaello gains in tanzanite ### More facets, more sparkle **Scintillation 96** against 80 for the T73 Round Brilliant in tanzanite: 16 points higher Scintillation follows the number of facets the stone shows: 100 × (1 − e^(−facets / 45)). The DG-Rafaello has 145 facets and the T73 73, so 96 against 80. It depends on the geometry alone, so it is the same in every stone. *Facet diagram of the DG-Rafaello: its crown, seen face-up, 145 facets in all* DG-Rafaello · 145 facets · Scintillation 96 *Facet diagram of the T73 Round Brilliant: its crown, seen face-up, 73 facets in all* T73 Round Brilliant · 73 facets · Scintillation 80 Scintillation follows the number of facets: more facets, more and smaller flashes as the stone moves. Compare the facet counts under the drawings; each drawing shows only the crown. Drawn from each cut's own model. [Try it yourself: Compare the Scintillation spoke in the Cut Performance Wheel](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/cut-performance-wheel?cut=dg-rafaello&stone=tanzanite) ### Faces up larger for its weight **Face-up size 106** against 100 for the T73 Round Brilliant in tanzanite (T73 = 100): 6% more face-up area for the same weight Face-up size is the outline's area per carat, measured from each model (T73 = 100): 106 for the DG-Rafaello against 100 for the T73. The same volume spread over a longer or shallower outline shows more face for the weight; it is the same in every stone, because specific gravity scales every cut alike. *Face-up outline of the DG-Rafaello at 1.00 ct in tanzanite: 6.75 mm, drawn to scale* DG-Rafaello · 6.75 mm at 1.00 ct · Face-up size 106 *Face-up outline of the T73 Round Brilliant at 1.00 ct in tanzanite: 6.58 mm, drawn to scale* T73 Round Brilliant · 6.58 mm at 1.00 ct · Face-up size 100 Both stones weigh 1.00 ct in tanzanite and are drawn to the same scale in millimeters, from each cut's own model. Face-up size is the outline's area per carat, with the T73 at 100: a deeper stone, or a rounder outline, spreads less area for its weight. [Try it yourself: See its size at 1.00 ct in tanzanite in the 3D Gemstone Simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=dg-rafaello&stone=tanzanite&ct=1.00&view=up&lighting=studio&turn=0) ### Lighter than the same cut in diamond **0.90 ct** at 6.5 mm, against 0.94 ct for the same cut in diamond (−5%) Weight follows specific gravity: 3.35 for tanzanite against 3.52 for diamond, so the same model at the same size weighs 0.90 ct here and 0.94 ct in diamond, 6.5 mm across. Nothing about the light changes with it. *Weight of a 6.5 mm DG-Rafaello: 0.90 ct in tanzanite, 0.94 ct in diamond* A DG-Rafaello 6.5 mm across, weighed from the model's measured volume and each stone's specific gravity. [Try it yourself: Weights in every gemstone on the DG-Rafaello page](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/dg-rafaello#stones) ## What the DG-Rafaello gives up in tanzanite ### Less fire in tanzanite than in diamond **Fire 32** against 80 for the DG-Rafaello in diamond: 48 points lower Fire is the share of the returned light that splits into color at the exit facet: the census traces each exit again at the refractive index minus and plus the fire spread (0.016 in tanzanite) and counts a ray as fire when the two directions differ by more than 0.6°. The DG-Rafaello reads 32 against 80 for the same cut in diamond. The figure is the census's; the 3D Gemstone Simulator renders tanzanite's fire live. The fire figure is the census's, traced at the refractive index minus and plus the fire spread. [See the fire in the 3D Gemstone Simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=dg-rafaello&stone=tanzanite&ct=1.00&view=up&lighting=sun&turn=0): the DG-Rafaello in tanzanite under the sunny-day lighting. **What helps:** [the DG-Elongated Hexagon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-elongated-hexagon) reads 79 for fire in tanzanite, the best of the cuts we score there. [Try it yourself: See the fire in the 3D Gemstone Simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=dg-rafaello&stone=tanzanite&ct=1.00&view=up&lighting=sun&turn=0) ### Leaks more in tanzanite than in diamond **Leakage 24** against 5 for the DG-Rafaello in diamond: 19 points higher Leakage is the share of the census rays that enter the stone and leave through the pavilion, or through the crown heading down. The DG-Rafaello leaks 24% in tanzanite against 5% for the same cut in diamond. Grey in the maps below is leaking light; the share under each picture is that picture's own. DG-Rafaello in tanzanite · Leakage 24 0° · 29% leak 10° · 27% leak 20° · 33% leak 30° · 34% leak DG-Rafaello in diamond · Leakage 5 0° · 4% leak 10° · 4% leak 20° · 7% leak 30° · 17% leak Each frame is the Light Return map with the stone tilted away from you by the angle shown; gray is leakage. The share under each frame is that picture's own. **What helps:** [the DG-M5](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-m5) reads 0% for leakage in tanzanite, the best of the cuts we score there. [Try it yourself: Tilt it yourself in the simulator's light map](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=dg-rafaello&stone=tanzanite&ct=1.00&view=up&map=1&turn=0) ### Dimmer in tanzanite than in diamond **Brilliance 76** against 94 for the DG-Rafaello in diamond: 18 points lower The same cut in diamond returns 94. Tanzanite bends light less than diamond: its critical angle is 36.4°, diamond's 24.4°, so a pavilion facet has to be steeper before light reflects off it rather than passing out. The DG-Rafaello's pavilion returns less of tanzanite's light than of diamond's, as the two maps show. DG-Rafaello in tanzanite · Brilliance 76 DG-Rafaello in diamond · Brilliance 94 Red, green and blue = light returning to the eye; gray = leakage, light that leaves heading down or stays inside. This is the head-on view; the Brilliance score averages a wider cone of light, so the score can differ from what one picture shows. **What helps:** [the DG-M5](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-m5) reads 100 for brilliance in tanzanite, the best of the cuts we score there. [Try it yourself: Open this Light Return map in the simulator](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/3d_gemstone_simulator?cut=dg-rafaello&stone=tanzanite&ct=1.00&view=up&map=1&turn=0) ### Loses more light when tilted than in diamond **Tilt 89** against 97 for the DG-Rafaello in diamond: 8 points lower Tilt is how much of its face-up brilliance a stone keeps when the census tilts it 20° about its long axis, with 2,200 rays. The DG-Rafaello keeps 89 against 97 for the same cut in diamond. The tilt strips below show the maps at 0°, 10°, 20° and 30°, with each picture's own leak share under it. DG-Rafaello in tanzanite · Tilt 89 0° · 29% leak 10° · 27% leak 20° · 33% leak 30° · 34% leak DG-Rafaello in diamond · Tilt 97 0° · 4% leak 10° · 4% leak 20° · 7% leak 30° · 17% leak Tilt is how much of its own face-up light a stone keeps when tilted. Each frame is the Light Return map with the stone tilted away from you by the angle shown; gray is leakage. The share under each frame is that picture's own. [Try it yourself: Compare the Tilt spoke in the Cut Performance Wheel](https://digitalgemology.com/tools/cut-performance-wheel?cut=dg-rafaello&stone=tanzanite&vs=dg-rafaello&vsstone=diamond) ## Our verdict on the DG-Rafaello in tanzanite Pick the DG-Rafaello in tanzanite for this: it has more facets to sparkle with, faces up larger for its weight and weighs less than in diamond. The catch: it shows less fire than in diamond, leaks more than in diamond, returns less light than in diamond and loses more light when tilted than in diamond. If that catch matters more to you, [the DG-Elongated Hexagon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-elongated-hexagon) reads 79 for fire in tanzanite, the best of the cuts we score there. Every figure on this page is from our light census, traced at one refractive index: a simulation of the geometry, not a grading report. The 3D files and cutting files below are the same DG-Rafaello model we traced. ## DG-Rafaello Tanzanite: questions ### Is the DG-Rafaello a good cut for tanzanite? In our census the DG-Rafaello returns 76 of 100 for brilliance and 32 for fire in tanzanite, against 92 and 47 for the T73 in the same stone. Against that round and against the same cut in diamond it has 3 pros and 4 cons by our thresholds; the summary above names them. ### What pavilion angle does tanzanite need? At least 36.4° for a round design: tanzanite's critical angle is 36.4°, from the low end of its refractive index range, and head-on light has to reflect off both sides of the pavilion and leave through the table. The DG-Rafaello's pavilion mains sit at 40.0°. ### How much does a DG-Rafaello weigh in tanzanite? At 6.5 mm across, 0.90 ct in tanzanite, against 0.94 ct for the same cut in diamond (-5%): tanzanite's specific gravity is 3.35, diamond's 3.52. ### Can I see the DG-Rafaello in tanzanite in 3D? Yes: the 3D Gemstone Simulator renders it live, with tanzanite's own refractive index and dispersion. Tanzanite is traced by the same light census as the other gemstones, with its refractive index and fire spread derived from published values, so its scores are on the same scale; the pictures here are our Light Return tracer, and the Cut Performance Wheel sets it against any other cut and stone. ## Get the DG-Rafaello Cut files *6 formats* *Millimeters* *Watertight* ### DG-Rafaello Cut 3D files The DG-Rafaello Cut as exact geometry: 145 planar facets, real-world scale, ready for CAD, rendering, printing and casting. - **STEP** Exact faceted solid for CAD - **3DM** Rhino, closed mesh on its own layer - **STL** Watertight mesh for printing and casting - **OBJ** Mesh for modeling and rendering - **FBX** Blender, 3ds Max, Maya, Cinema 4D, Unity, Unreal - **GLB** Web, AR and quick previews €14.99 · [Personal use](https://digitalgemology.com/licence) [Buy the 3D files](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/c8230206-c376-445e-95fa-4eb45712a193) *GemCad* *96 index* ### DG-Rafaello Cut cutting files The DG-Rafaello Cut as a faceting design: 121 + 24 girdles = 145 facets, 96 index, 12-fold mirror-image symmetry, ready for the machine. - **.asc** GemCad design file, 96 index gear - **.csv** Tier table: angles, indices and cutting order - **Diagram** Printable faceting diagram €12.99 · [Personal use](https://digitalgemology.com/licence) [Buy the cutting files](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/778e2716-a27b-4192-95b1-791b03b338e4) Not sure the files open in your software? [Get the cube free](https://digitalgemology.lemonsqueezy.com/checkout/buy/2d1ab55f-2bd6-4897-a4cd-f3320f54e99e): the same six formats, for your email address, used only to send them ([privacy](https://digitalgemology.com/privacy#free-sample)). Questions before you buy? [Email us](mailto:support@digitalgemology.com). ## More gemstones and cuts [Tanzanite: optical properties and the top ten cuts](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite) · [The DG-Rafaello: specifications, model and files](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/dg-rafaello) ### Other cuts in tanzanite - [T73 Round Brilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/t73-round-brilliant) - [T105 Round Brilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/t105-round-brilliant) - [DG-Vitruvio](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-vitruvio) - [DG-Anteros](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-anteros) - [DG-Broken Hearts and Arrows](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-broken-hearts-and-arrows) - [Baguette Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/baguette) - [Emerald Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/emerald-cut) - [Marquise Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/marquise) - [Oval Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/oval) - [Pear Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/pear) - [Radiant Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/radiant) - [Rectangle Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/rectangle) - [Teardrop Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/teardrop) - [Asscher Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/asscher) - [Cushion Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/cushion) - [Emerald Square Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/emerald-square) - [Princess Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/princess) - [Radiant Square Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/radiant-square) - [Square Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/square) - [Triangle Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/triangle) - [Trilliant Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/trilliant) - [Trillion Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/trillion) - [Hexagon Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/hexagon) - [Octagon Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/octagon) - [Portuguese Bird's Nest Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/portuguese-birds-nest) - [Old Single Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/old-single) - [Mazarin Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/mazarin) - [Peruzzi Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/peruzzi) - [Old Mine Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/old-mine) - [Old European Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/old-european) - [T57 Round Brilliant](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/t57-round-brilliant) - [DG-M5](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-m5) - [DG-Miliano](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-miliano) - [DG-Bowtie](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-bowtie) - [DG-Elongated Hexagon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-elongated-hexagon) - [DG-Octagonal Kite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/dg-octagonal-kite) ### The DG-Rafaello in other gemstones - [Diamond](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/diamond/dg-rafaello) - [Moissanite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/moissanite/dg-rafaello) - [Cubic Zirconia](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/cubic-zirconia/dg-rafaello) - [Ruby](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/ruby/dg-rafaello) - [Sapphire](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/sapphire/dg-rafaello) - [Emerald](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/emerald/dg-rafaello) - [Amethyst](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/amethyst/dg-rafaello) - [Topaz](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/topaz/dg-rafaello) - [Spinel](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/spinel/dg-rafaello) - [Demantoid](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/demantoid/dg-rafaello) - [Zircon](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/zircon/dg-rafaello) - [Tourmaline](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/tourmaline/dg-rafaello) - [Peridot](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/peridot/dg-rafaello) - [YAG](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/yag/dg-rafaello) - [Pyrope](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/pyrope/dg-rafaello) - [Almandine](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/almandine/dg-rafaello) - [Spessartine](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/spessartine/dg-rafaello) - [Grossular](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/grossular/dg-rafaello) - [Chrysoberyl](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/chrysoberyl/dg-rafaello) - [Kunzite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/kunzite/dg-rafaello) - [Iolite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/iolite/dg-rafaello) - [Morganite](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/morganite/dg-rafaello) - [GGG](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/ggg/dg-rafaello) - [Strontium titanate](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/strontium-titanate/dg-rafaello) - [Synthetic rutile](https://digitalgemology.com/gemstones/synthetic-rutile/dg-rafaello)