The most common way of fashioning a gem is to cut the surface into a certain number of flat faces which are called facets. They create the final shape and “cut” of the gemstone. The oldest form of fashioning is polishing. To create three-dimensional objects they are cutted from the larger mass of material and engraved images are made by scratching out lines or holes to leave a raised image.

The cut of gemstone determines the beauty of the stone. Also it influences on how the stone refracts light, how it reflects light and its depth of colour.

There are 5 major categories of fashioning color gemstones:
* Brilliant–Cuts
* Step–Cuts
* Mixed–Cuts
* Fancy–Cuts
* Polishing

Brilliant–Cuts
The brilliant–cut is widely used on diamonds and many colourless gemstones. It reflects maximum light and produces brightness and fire.

The outlines which can be created due to this cut are: an oval, the per-shaped pendeloque, and boat-shaped marquise or navette.

To maximize the refraction of light the round brilliant cut is used. The brilliant cut may include 58 facets and have different shapes like a heart or a star, cut into the bottom.

Oval shape is used for a smaller carat weight.

Step–Cuts
The step–cut which is also known as trap cut is beneficial for colour gemstones. It creates a rectangular or square table facet and gridle, with parallel rectangular facets.

If gems are fragile their corners can be removed in order to create octagonal stones (emeralds).

There are various outlines: square, radiant, octagon, some ovals, baguette and many other table cuts.

There is a special cut for emeralds which is aimed at intensifying the color of the stone. The deeper the stone’s "belly", the richer its colour.