Calibre Cut
cal·i·ber cut | ˈka-lə-bər ˈkət
noun
Small stones that are faceted and cut into squares, rectangles, or oblongs, and set close together
The calibre cut was a very common gemstone cutting technique that was used during the Art Deco time period of jewelry of the early 20th century. This cut refers to faceted gemstones that are carefully custom cut to the point that they line up perfectly together. Calibre cut gemstone shapes can vary from rectangular or rounded. They are often pave set so that they fit and outline around a large, center stone, typically another precious gemstone or a diamond. With calibre cut gemstones, there is virtually no space between the gemstones and their setting or adjacent calibre cut gemstone - they line up and fit together that perfectly. During the Art Deco time period, precious gemstones such as sapphires, emeralds, and rubies were commonly cut using this technique. Diamonds aren’t considered calibre cut unless they are colored. This Art Deco gemstone cutting style was very labor-intensive, which makes finding modern-day calibre cut stones very difficult.