The Gemcutter’s Oracle
To cut a stone into a gem
Is to transform a soul into a purpose
each cut an intention
An expression of gratitude
And of service
Violence cleaves fragments of fire
with strokes of beauty
Laying bare hidden facets of light
Reflections of
Fractured galaxies,
a universe
of kaleidoscopic realities.
This cut if for truth…This cut is for clarity…This cut is for understanding…This cut is for rarity.
I always begin my work with words, like a spell, and those are the ones that sparked the creation of these decks.
I began exploring the idea of revealing the facets of our true selves with The Prism Tarot and I continued to explore it in these two oracle decks. Each illustration highlights the cuts necessary to bring out the beauty in each gem, as well as the fractured galaxies created in doing so. Sometimes, it takes sacrifice, hard work, and even pain to bring about growth and change, but at the end of strife, beauty remains. Both of these decks explore that concept in different ways.
To explore this concept and attribute meaning to actual gem cuts, I studied their sacred geometry, the numerology that lies within the number of facets and cuts they possess, what they were named for, and the significance attributed to them by society. A precious gem is a valuable and personal gift, often given with a lot of thought and love behind it. What better place to search for depth of meaning than within the facets of such treasures?
I also thought a lot about the process of gem cutting. As a sculptor by trade, I understand how it feels to bring out the beauty and purpose in rough materials; the pressure for precision, and the artistry of ultimately leaving perfection behind. Each cut is done with intention, purposeful in its meaning, and with great emotional effort, especially when working with something as delicate as a diamond with no undo button. It is a reverent act.
Though I have not had the opportunity to cut stones myself, a couple of years ago, I spent a few months working with precious gems, looking at them under a microscope, setting them in metal, and polishing them to perfection. I had to sort through and categorize literal piles of diamonds, each one unique and beautiful, even those that were less than a millimeter in size.
The longer you look into a gem the more fire, color, and "imperfection" you will find. It is my intention that the images on the cards of the Gemcutter's Oracle will lead the reader through similar levels of introspection and understanding.
Reading the Cards
You can use this oracle for meditation, self-reflection, shadow work, dream/vision interpretation, intuitive practice and amplification, guidance in seeing all sides of an issue, or however else you need help connecting to your inner world. It can also be used to clarify tarot readings and works beautifully with its sister decks, The Prism Tarot, and The Runecarver’s Tokens.
Draw a card, meditate on the image, and search for the meaning that resonates with you. Consider all parts of the gem and the galaxy it reflects. Use them to connect with the hidden facets and galaxies within yourself.
Each gem has both positive and negative cuts, which can be thought of as upright and reversed meanings. They also have numerological, esoteric, and tarot correspondences.
Origin gems: Prism, Single, Double, Mine, Rose
Gems in this group are old and wise. They are the ancestors, the originals. They represent a time of creation, manifestation, and tradition.
Floral Gems: Fire Rose, Marigold, Sunflower, Dahlia
Gems in this group represent the beauty of nature that man is always trying to imitate.
Playful Gems: Clover, Trillion, Lozenge, Heart
Gems in this group correspond to the 4 playing card or tarot suits. They break the rules and represent fun, versatility, and creativity.
Court: Shield, Baroness, Marquise, Duchess, Princess, king, empress, Grace
Gems in this group correspond to different members of the royal court. They are in order of hierarchy and can be looked at similarly to the court cards in a tarot deck, though there are a few more of them.
Brilliant: Radiant, Tear, Half Moon, Brilliant
Gems in this group represent growth, the pursuit of perfection, the culmination of hard work, and true beauty.
Parts of a Gem
Gem Meanings
Single Cut
Group: Origin Gem
17 Facets
Positive Cuts: Beginning, Simplicity, Solitude, Individuality, Independence, Balance, Tradition, Material Comfort
Negative Cuts: Excess, Impatience, Dissatisfaction, Avoidance, Dependence
Numerological Correspondences: 1, 8
Tarot Correspondences: Magician, Strength, and The Star
Esoteric Correspondences: Air and Mercury
The Single Cut represents going back to basics, tradition, and the old magic. It is the start of something bigger. It may not be the most beautiful cut, but it is strong, balanced, and bright. Large facets act as a lens to allow you to gaze within.
Affirmations: I am always learning. I have everything I need within my own personal cosmos. My destiny is worth waiting for. Everyone starts somewhere. It takes courage to begin. I am brave enough to begin.
Fun fact: Sometimes lovingly referred to as “huit huit” from the French term “huit” for the number eight.
Mazarin Cut (aka The Double Cut)
Group: Origin Gems
Facets: 34
Positive Cuts: progress, duality, covenants, contracts, evolution, personal power, intuition, control, good fortune, adaptability, diplomacy, cooperation, wisdom, introspection, synergy, union, alchemy, passion, love, lineage
Negative Cuts: haste, superiority, vanity, secrecy, force, hubris, materialism, selfishness
Numerological Correspondences: 2, 7, 8
Tarot Correspondences: The High Priestess, The Chariot, Strength
Esoteric Correspondence: Water, Cancer
The Mazarin cut represents evolution and the mingling of ideas to spur progress. It is a transitional phase, an important step towards reaching enlightenment, far from perfect but well on its way.
Affirmations: I am forward-thinking, always growing and evolving at my own pace. Progress is perfection
Fun fact/ history: In the mid-17th century this cut was inspired by and named for Cardinal Mazarin, who was an avid lover and collector of diamonds and famously left part of his collection to Louis XIV.
Mine Cut
Group: Origin Gems
58 facets
Positive Cuts: Roots, Nature, Potential, Tradition, Progress, Stability, Routine, Organization, Patience, Hard Work, Reliability, Self-discipline, Divine Masculinity, Ancestry, Growth, Lineage, Revolution, Diligence, skill
Negative Cuts: Risk, Stagnancy, Illness, Drudgery, Limits, Stubbornness, Frustration
Numerological Correspondences: 4
Tarot Correspondences: The Tower, Death, The Emperor
Esoteric Correspondences: Earth (element) and Jupiter
The mine cut represents tradition, stability, and sometimes the need to remove oneself from such things. Much can be learned from the past, but only new ideas can lead you into the future.
Affirmations: My roots do not bind me, but nourish my growth. My past informs my present, but it does not define the limits of my future. I am always growing.
Fun fact: The larger facets of this cut were meant to give it extra sparkle in the candlelight. They were also cut by eye and hand giving each stone unique and charming imperfections.
Rose Cut
Group: Origin Gems
25 facets
Positive Cuts: growth, blooming, creation, connection to nature, creativity, balance, beauty, love, expansion, expression, passion, simplicity
Negative Cuts: superficiality, vanity, frivolity, co-dependence, temptation
Numerological Correspondences: 6, 7
Tarot Correspondences: The Lovers, The Chariot
The rose cut represents the beauty of the potential we hold within us. Love, inspiration, and passion are constantly blooming anew within our hearts. It is a testament to our capacity to keep growing and connect with others despite hardship.
Affirmations: I am ever-expanding and blooming into my best self. I allow space for myself to grow.
Fun Fact: Unlike most gem cuts, the rose cut has a flat back and no pavilion.
Fire Rose Cut
Group: Floral Gems
55 facets
Positive Cuts: willpower, manifestation, focus, inspiration, power, passion, creativity, desire, fate, choice
Negative Cuts: temptation, uncontrolled emotions, disharmony, wrong choices, self-destruction, subservience, imbalance, corruption
Numerological Correspondences: 5, 6, 10
Tarot Correspondences: Fortune, The Magician, The Lovers, The Hierophant
The fire rose cut represents the manifestation of desire, unification, and creation. The center facets create a six-pointed star created from equilateral triangles, the symbol of all the elements working in harmony.
Affirmations: My will is my power. I can manifest all that I desire.
Esoteric Correspondence: Fire, mars
Fun fact: On the surface, this looks like a very simple cut, but the fire comes from light traveling up through the many facets of the pavilion underneath.
Marigold Cut
Group: Floral Gems
65 facets
Positive Cuts: beauty, change, transformation, prosperity, freedom, choice, learning, justice, compassion
Negative Cuts: Fragility, death, despair, impermanence, loss, greed, grief, material bondage, consequences
Numerological Correspondences: 5, 6 , 8, 11
Tarot Correspondences: Death, Strength, Justice
The marigold cut represents the beauty of fleeting moments. It is a reminder that every moment is precious because all that is material will inevitably decay. Notice how it resembles a spider’s web. Beware of being caught up in things that do not serve your best interests.
Affirmations: I find joy in the now. Forever is a myth. Freedom is a mental state. I enjoy the beauty of fleeting moments
Fun Fact: The Marigold cut is also a type of step cut made of four-sided facets giving it a very geometric appearance. I personally think it resembles a spider’s web.
Sunflower Cut
Group: Floral Gems
45 facets
Positive Cuts: optimism, joy, awakening, sunrise, rebirth, honesty, fertility, confidence, ambition
Negative Cuts: naivete, lofty ambitions, hubris, selective blindness, hyperfocus, limitations
Numerological Correspondences: 4, 9
Tarot Correspondences: the emperor, the hermit, the sun
The sunflower cut represents reaching towards the sun. Awakening with a joy for life, optimism, and belief in oneself can be a wonderful thing, but the sun can also blind and burn if you get too close.
Affirmations: My ambitions are within reach. I honor my limits. Sunshine and patience will spur my growth.
Fun Fact: The faceting pattern of the sunflower cut can be used to create many different gem shapes such as the baguette, emerald, and trapezium.
Dahlia
Group: Floral Gems
51 facets
Positive Cuts: Grounding, stability, commitment, dignity, responsibility
Negative Cuts: Melancholy, binds, drudgery, sacrifice, dishonesty, betrayal, instability
Numerological Correspondences: 6
Tarot Correspondences: The Devil, The Lovers
Esoteric Correspondence: Earth, Capricorn
The dahlia cut represents subdued emotions and the feeling of holding the weight of the world.
Affirmations: I am more than my burdens. I can only do as much as I am able.
Fun Fact: This cut, along with the Fire Rose, Sunflower, Marigold, and Zinnia flower cuts, was designed by Gabi Tolkowsky in 1988. He is known as the father of modern brilliance and famously cut The Centenary Diamond. (Note: I did not include zinnia in this deck, not because it isn’t lovely, but because there are so many round cuts!)
Clover Cut
Group: Playful Gems
??? facets
Positive Cuts: luck, play, fleeting moments, improvisation, whimsy, freedom, creativity, passion, courage, protection
Negative Cuts: foolishness, naivety, carelessness, danger, fear
Numerological Correspondences: 0, 4
Tarot Correspondences: The Fool, The Emperor, Wands
Esoteric Correspondences: Fire, Aries
The clover cut represents infinite possibilities, play, and the courage to abandon the rules when necessary. This cut corresponds to clubs in a deck of playing cards.
Affirmations: I create my own reality. I define my own limits. Rules are constructed illusions.
Fun fact: A nonstandard cut like this one that I essentially made up, or any cut that isn’t round, is referred to as “fancy.” It isn’t common, but gemstones can really be cut into any shape you want if you’re willing to think outside the box and with a little whimsy!
Trillion
Group: Playful Gems
facets: 31 or 50
Positive Cuts: community, intellect, triplicity, wisdom, trinity, freedom, change, expression, teamwork, faith, truth, conviction, adaptability, support, spirituality, influence
Negative Cuts: need, arrogance, fragility, regression, stubbornness, fear, selfishness, impressionability, loneliness
Numerological Correspondences: 3, 5
Tarot Correspondences: the star, the hierophant, swords
Esoteric Correspondences: Air, Aquarius
The Trillion cut represents positive communication and the strength that comes from living your truth and staying true to whatever it is that you believe in. This cut corresponds to spades in a deck of playing cards.
Affirmations: I speak my truth. I share my truth. I am strong in my convictions. I live by my own truth
Fun fact: There are two versions of this cut dependent on whether it’s a center stone or an accent stone. 31 facets for an accent, 50 for a center.
Lozenge Cut
Group: Playful Gems
21 Facets
Positive Cuts: Wealth, fortitude, stability, simplicity, honesty, straightforwardness, boldness, clarity, transparency, routine, acceptance
Negative Cuts: Limitations, redundancy, superficiality, bluntness, greed, thoughtlessness, brutality, dreariness, sterility, drudgery
Numerological Correspondence: 4
Tarot Correspondence: The Fool, The Emperor, Pentacles
Esoteric Correspondences: Earth (element), Pluto
The Lozenge cut represents taking things at face value and not searching too deep under the surface. Some things just are what they are. Call a diamond a diamond. And while we’re on that subject, this cut corresponds to the suit of diamond in a deck of playing cards.
Affirmations: I accept things as they are.
Fun fact: Lozenge is another word for a rhombus in the shape of a diamond. So lozenge cut diamonds are just diamond-shaped diamonds.
Heart Cut
Facets: 56
Positive Cuts: love, union, balance, empathy, intuition, emotion, passion, morality, fairness, openness, protection. kindness, attraction, control
Negative Cuts: secrecy, need, imbalance, gatekeeping, abuse, clouded judgment, guardedness, vulnerability, lust, addiction
Numerological Correspondence: 6, 11, 2
Tarot Correspondence: Lovers, Justice, high priestess, strength, Cups
Esoteric Correspondences: Water, Pisces
The heart cut represents both the strength and fragility of love. Emotion can make us stronger, but it can also be self-defeating and cloud our judgment. A diamond is both strong and fragile. It's well known for being hard, but that hardness and lack of giving is what makes it so easily broken. It's wise to remember a diamond is cut best by one of its own. This cut corresponds to the suit of hearts in a deck of playing cards.
Affirmations: My capacity for love is my strength. I control who has access to my heart.
Fun fact: The heart cut can have 6, 7, or 8 main pavilion facets. For the purposes of this deck, I chose the version with 6 because it creates a sacred geometry with greater numerological significance to its meaning.
Shield Cut
Group: Court Gems
Facets: 37
Positive Cuts: Defense, protection. resilience, drive, control, mastery, fate, courage, will, focus, intention, balance, responsibility, duty, confidence, destiny
Negative Cuts: Stubbornness, manipulation, defensiveness, guardedness, over protectiveness, stalemates, imbalance, burden, struggle, insecurity, adversity
Numerological Correspondence: 3, 7, 10
Tarot Correspondence: The empress, fortune, chariot
Esoteric Correspondences: Fire, Sagittarius
The shield cut represents protection, control, and resilience in the face of adversity and turns of fate.
Affirmations: I am in control of my fate. I accept that which I cannot control. I am divinely protected. I am in charge of my own destiny
Fun fact: This is also a complex type of coffin cut. The lesson being, that which protects you can also become your downfall.
Baroness Cut
Group: Court Gems
58 facets
Positive Cuts: Stability, Strength, compassion, eloquence, diplomacy
Negative Cuts: elitism, narcissism, greed, materialism, set in their way, obstinacy
Numerological Correspondences: 8, 4, 5
Tarot Correspondences: Strength, the hierophant, the Emperor
Esoteric Correspondences: Fire, Leo
The Baroness Cut represents a quiet, elegant, and supportive strength.
Affirmations: I own the space I exist in.
Fun fact: The Baroness is one of 3 "Royal" Cuts, along with the Empress and Duchess Cuts, introduced in the 90s.
Marquise Cut
Group: Court Gems
Facets: 57
Positive Cuts: balance, contemplation, insight, fairness, objectivity, justice, truth, speech, perspective, femininity, divine feminine, attraction, sexuality, sensuality, pleasure
Negative Cuts: martyrdom, stalling, divisiveness, bias, injustice, imbalance, boredom, silence, vanity, tedium, monotony
Numerological Correspondence: 3, 5, 7
Tarot Correspondence: The Hanged one, Justice, The Empress
Esoteric Correspondences: Air, libra
The Marquise Cut represents seeing objectively, shifting perspectives, and finding perfect symmetry in all things.
Affirmations: I see and respect multiple perspectives.
Fun fact: This s classic cut was created for King Louis XV of France to mirror the shape of the lips of his mistress Madame du Pompadour. I allow you to choose which perspective to take on that.
Duchess Cut
Group: Court Gems
53 facets
Positive Cuts: Mystery, beauty, solitude, independence, enigma, identity
Negative Cuts: retreat, escapism, frigidity, need
Numerological Correspondence: 5, 3, 8
Tarot Correspondence: the hermit, the empress, the hierophant, strength
Esoteric Correspondences: Earth, Virgo
The Duchess cut represents feeling comfortable enough with yourself to enjoy being alone and confident enough to not need affirmations from others.
Affirmations: I find strength in solitude. I define who I am.
Fun fact: The Duchess cut is a modified Marquise with 6 flat sides.
Princess Cut
Group: Court Gems
76 facets
Positive Cuts: Depth, Generosity, Stability, Structure, Inner Power, guidance, fortitude, femininity
Negative Cuts: Latency, selfishness, gluttony, stubbornness
Numerological Correspondence: 7, 6
Tarot Correspondence: The empress, the chariot, the lovers, hierophant
Esoteric Correspondences: Earth Taurus
The Princess cut represents inner beauty and subverting expectations.
Affirmations: I look beneath the surface. There is more to me than what can be seen on the surface.
Fun fact: This cut looks simple on the surface, but what gives it real fire and sparkle are the unique chevron facets underneath.
King Cut
Group: Court Gems
86 facets
Positive Cuts: Dignity, masculinity, abundance, fairness, equality, balance, calling, duty, goals, faith, spirit, Magnanimity, responsibility
Negative Cuts: wrath, punishment, failure, imbalance, corruption, injustice, excess
Numerological Correspondence: 5, 6, 8
Tarot Correspondence: Temperence, Judgement
Esoteric Correspondences: air, uranus
The King Cut represents the responsibility of leadership and the burdens of power.
Affirmations: I accept what I cannot control.
Fun fact: The king cut is what you get when you double the table facets of the brilliant cut. It also has the most cut lines of any gem in this deck.
Empress Cut
Group: Court Gems
64 facets
Positive Cuts: Power, rule, persistence, acceptance, fate
Negative Cuts: Devastation, catastrophe, anarchy
Numerological Correspondence: 7, 10
Tarot Correspondence: the world, fortune, the chariot
Esoteric Correspondences: Saturn, fire
The Empress cut represents being in harmony with the flow of the universe. Taking the inevitable ups and downs in stride.
Affirmations: I am one with the flow of cosmic cycles.
Fun fact: The unique shape of this seven-sided gem or heptagon is very rare as it isn't evenly divisible. It was also the inspiration for the Prism gem.
Grace Cut
Group: Brilliant Gems
39 facets
Positive Cuts: grace, ease, wisdom, meditation, elegance, refinement, goodwill, perspective, empathy
Negative Cuts: awkwardness, discomfort, bluntness, anxiety, restlessness, single-mindedness
Numerological Correspondence: 3, 9, 5
Tarot Correspondence: The Empress, The Hanged One
Esoteric Correspondences: Water, Neptune
The grace cut represents mental growth. The essence of what it means to be graceful is the ability to seamlessly shift your perspective to better connect with others.
Affirmations: I navigate life with grace and an open mind.
Fun fact: The shape of this cut from the top view resembles how most other gem cuts look from the side.
Radiant Cut
Group: Brilliant Gems
62 facets
Positive Cuts: beauty, light, truth, divinity, purpose, youth, exuberance
Negative Cuts: Deceit, lethargy, secrets, ignorance
Numerological Correspondence: 2, 6, 8
Tarot Correspondence: The Lovers, Strength, The Sun
Esoteric Correspondences: Fire, sun
The radiant cut represents creative growth. Radiance is the passion you freely share with others.
Affirmations: I radiate my inner light. I am unafraid to bare my soul.
Fun fact: Radiant Cuts are modified brilliant cuts that utilize more of the rough gem shape by remaining rectangular.
Tear Cut
Group: Brilliant Gems
52 facets
Positive Cuts: emotion, caring, kindness, empathy, openness
Negative Cuts: grief, fixation, loss, despair, instability, repression, difficulty
Numerological Correspondence: 2, 5, 7
Tarot Correspondence: The Fool, The Hierophant, The Tower, The Lovers
Esoteric Correspondences: Air, Gemini
The tear cut represents emotional growth, deep overwhelming emotions, both positive and negative, and the strength gained by working through them in a healthy way.
Affirmations: I allow myself to feel the full spectrum of my emotions.
Fun fact: The Tear Cut is also known as the Pear Cut, but that name doesn’t quite spark the imagination in the same way. It is one of the most challenging cuts to produce due to its delicate and very specific ideal proportions.
Half Moon Cut
Group: Brilliant Gems
44 facets
Positive Cuts: Intuition, dreams, spirit, mysticism, ritual, progression, initiation, inception, evolution, cycles, guidance
Negative Cuts: Nightmares, faithlessness, illusions, confusion, aimlessness, incompletion
Numerological Correspondence: 4, 8
Tarot Correspondence: The Hanged One, The Moon
Esoteric Correspondences: Water, Moon
The Half Moon Cut represents spiritual growth and being in tune with your inner world.
Affirmations: I listen to my inner voice. I allow my intuition to guide the way.
Fun fact: The Half Moon cut is actually a half Brilliant Cut. They are often paired up and used as side stones, but it is very challenging to find a perfect match.
Brilliant Cut
Group: Brilliant Gems
58 facets
Positive Cuts: contentment, journeys, completion, attainment, acceptance, cycles, infinity, commitment, energy
Negative Cuts: regret, perfectionism, excess, inevitability, severance
Numerological Correspondence: 4, 5, 8
Tarot Correspondence the world, death
Esoteric Correspondences: earth (element), earth (planet)
The Brilliant cut represents the ideal higher self. The culmination of hard work, ingenuity, and pursuit of perfection.
Affirmations: My journey is infinite
Fun fact: The Brilliant cut is considered the ideal cut for diamonds. It was designed by Marcel Tolkowsky using a mathematical formula for cutting and angling facets to provide the maximum amount of reflected light. When done correctly, they resemble two pyramids placed base to base making them a very powerful energy conductor.
The Prism Cut
22 facets
Positive Cuts: Blank Slate, Chakras, Clarity, Personality, Versatility
Negative Cuts: Blindness, Assumptions, Imbalance, Obscurity, Limitations
Numerological Correspondences: 7, 11
Esoteric Correspondences: Aether
Tarot Correspondences The Prism, The Void
Affirmations: I am multifaceted.
Fun fact: This is a gem cut I created to represent clarity and inner light for The Prism Tarot. There are 3 sets of 7 facets. The 7 facets on the face represent the seven chakras. The 22 facets as a whole represent the major arcana.