The Asahi, designed by Marco Voltolini, is an elegant gemstone faceting pattern featuring a distinctive burst of crown facets and optional frosted accents. The pavilion design originates from J. Broadfoot (published for the 2008 AFG contest, intermediate category), perfectly paired with Voltolini's crown design.
Designed primarily for Quartz (RI = 1.540), this 96-index design creates a mesmerizing artistic sunburst effect, especially when selected crown facets are frosted (unpolished/satin finish).
Design Specifications
| Parameter | Specification Details |
|---|---|
| Design Name | Asahi |
| Designer | Marco Voltolini (Pavilion by J. Broadfoot) |
| Target RI | R.I. = 1.540 (Quartz & higher) |
| Facet Count | 47 facets + 8 girdles = 55 total |
| Symmetry / Index | 1-fold radial symmetry | 96 Index Gear |
| Proportions | L/W=1.261 | T/W=0.378 | U/W=0.378 P/W=0.620 | C/W=0.210 |
| Volume Ratio | Vol./W³ = 0.475 |
Step-by-Step Cutting Angles
1. Pavilion Cutting Sequence
| Facet | Angle | 96-Index Settings | Instruction / Meet Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 42.00° | 03-09-21-27-39-45-51-57-69-75-87-93 | Cut to centerpoint |
| 2 | 41.50° | 12-36-60-84 | Cut to centerpoint |
| 3 | 42.50° | 24-72 | Cut to centerpoint |
| 4 | 90.00° | 96-48 | Set stone size |
| 5 | 90.00° | 12-36-60-84 | Set girdle |
| 6 | 90.00° | 24-72 | Set girdle |
| 7 | 50.99° | 24-72 | Even girdle |
| 8 | 65.76° | 96-48 | Even girdle |
2. Crown Cutting Sequence
| Facet | Angle | 96-Index Settings | Instruction / Meet Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 18.00° | 66-78 | Set girdle thickness (frosted) |
| B | 54.32° | 60-84 | Even girdle |
| C | 65.65° | 96-48 | Even girdle |
| D | 62.44° | 24 | Even girdle |
| E | 54.32° | 72 | Even girdle |
| F | 52.06° | 12-36 | Even girdle |
| G | 18.00° | 12-36 | Make centerpoint with A (frosted) |
| H | 18.00° | 06-42 | CTP |
| I | 18.00° | 96-48 | CTP (frosted) |
| J | 18.00° | 54-90 | CTP |
| K | 18.00° | 60-84 | CTP |
| L | 18.00° | 72 | CTP (frosted) |
| M | 18.00° | 18-30 | CTP |
| N | 18.00° | 24 | CTP (frosted) |
| O | 0.00° | Table | no meets |
Recommended Gemstones
The Asahi design produces incredible visual contrast when cut on slightly tinted or saturated rough gemstones:
- Smoky Quartz & Citrine: Ideal for highlighting the frosted contrast patterns.
- Topaz & Tourmaline: High luster materials that accentuate the radial crown facets.
- Beryl Group: Aquamarine or Morganite for subtle geometric brilliance.
Pro Cutting Tips & Insights
- Frosted Facets Technique: Facets A, G, I, L, and N are designated to be frosted. Leave these facets with a fine pre-polish finish (e.g., 1200 or 3000 mesh diamond lap) rather than full polish to create the striking satin-matte sunburst contrast.
- Centerpoint Alignment: Take time on crown facets H through N (cut at 18.00°) as they establish the central radial wheel. Precision meetpoints are vital for clean symmetry.
Looking for more free faceting diagrams and precision gemology tutorials? Explore our full collection on Horizon Gems!
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