---
title: "Facet count: meaning in gemology"
description: "The facet count is the number of facets on a cut. On our cut pages, it is the number of planar faces of the cut's STEP solid."
url: https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/facet-count
image: https://digitalgemology.com/img/og-digital-gemology.png?v=d224fb01
---

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[Glossary](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary) · Cutting and files

# Facet count

The facet count is the number of facets on a cut. On our cut pages, it is the number of planar faces of the cut's STEP solid.

## In more detail

A cutting design can count differently. A turned girdle is one surface in a solid but many facets on the machine. Then the page gives both counts. The T73 round brilliant has 73 facets: 57 plus 16 girdle facets.

## How we measure it

Our scintillation score uses the number of facets that reach the surface of the cut.

## Related terms

- [Facet](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/facet): A facet is one flat, polished face of a cut gemstone. Its angle and its direction around the stone decide where it sends light.
- [Scintillation](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/scintillation): Scintillation is the pattern of light and dark flashes a stone shows as it, the light or the viewer moves. Our score reads it from the number of facets that reach the surface of the cut.
- [STEP file](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/step-file): STEP is a standard CAD format that stores an exact solid, with each facet as a true plane. CAD programs such as FreeCAD, Rhino and Fusion open it to measure a stone and design a setting.
- [Turned girdle](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary/turned-girdle): A turned girdle is a girdle with a smooth round edge, shaped as a cylinder, instead of flat girdle facets. CAD often gives a round stone this kind of girdle.

## Learn more

- [The 3D models](https://digitalgemology.com/about/how-we-measure/3d-models)
- [T73 Round Brilliant Cut](https://digitalgemology.com/cuts/t73-round-brilliant)

[All 328 terms](https://digitalgemology.com/learn/glossary)