An Approximate Timeline of Gem Design

This is the most recent draft of my attempts to record the introduction and evolution of the main ways that gemstones were faceted, and how those designs evolved throughout the centuries. Light boxes indicate that the cut was designed for diamonds, and dark boxes indicate that the cut was intended for use with colored stones.

You may notice that the Step and Emerald cuts appear twice, this is because they were invented to be used with colored stones and were not common or preferred diamond cuts until hundreds of years after they are first developed.

The placement of designs within each century are especially approximate. Most of these dates are determined largely by when the finished items appear in other records with known dates.