Smith Bar: Online Faceting Designs & Diagrams
Jeff Graham’s Smith Bar gem design is easy to cut. One Smith Bar gem has even found its way into the Smithsonian Institution. Learn the story behind this museum piece.
You can find cutting instructions for the Smith Bar here.
Tension Bracelet with Smith Bar Tourmaline
This photo, taken for a show at the Tucson Art Museum, doesn't do the stone a lot of justice. The flawless, medium forest-green tourmaline has some blue overtones you can't see here. The Smith Bar-cut stone is tension mounted in a white gold bracelet by third generation jewelry artisan Sam Patania.
A curator from the Smithsonian Institution saw the piece at the show and spoke with Mr. Patania about submitting it (and two other pieces by his father and grandfather) to the museum. It's now on display at the Renwick Gallery.
Cutting Remarks
The Smith Bar cuts in quartz with no changes. Notice the lowest angle on the pavilion is 41°. It can have almost any length to width ratio (L/W) with no changes. It also works well in tourmaline that's dark or closed on the c-axis. You can cut the corners in or leave them pointed.
Enjoy cutting your own Smith Bar.
Detailed faceting instructions by Jeff Graham available at The Rock Peddler
Jeff R. Graham
The late Jeff Graham was a prolific faceter, creator of many original faceting designs, and the author of several highly-regarded instructional faceting books such as Gram Faceting Designs.
Related Articles
Royal 8: Faceting Design Diagram
Wink: Faceting Design Diagram
Easy Tri: Faceting Design Diagram
Bi-Color Split: Faceting Design Diagram
Never Stop Learning
When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.
Get Gemology Insights
Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!