The end of the dopstick to which the gemstone is attached may be flat, V-shaped or conically recessed to accommodate the shape and portion of the stone being attached to it. Cutting a stone typically involves dopping it to a first dopstick and then cutting and polishing the facets on one side of it. When the first side is completed, the work is turned over in the course of being transferred to a second dopstick. Once you're comfortable faceting glass, the next step is to try a quartz crystal. Shown right is a 31mm x 51mm stone cut from quartz.
Gem materials vary in the quality of the light they can refract.
Statistical tables of gems' refractive indices and critical angles are found in faceting guides. Quartz, for instance, has a refractive index of 40.5 degrees, and is commonly faceted at 43 degrees for the main culet angle and 42 degrees for the main crown angle. Bill pointed out the various parts of his Fac-Ette machine, which he says he likes because of its precision. As a retired electrical engineer, Bill is, by nature, very meticulous in his work. The main parts of a faceting machine are the ups and downs, and the facet angle controlling the quill as it is lowered to the rotating lap for cutting.