Starting with the pavillion facets

[rprhodes]

Can anyone tell me the advantage of starting to cut a facet stone with the pavillion facets first?
From what I have read on the Forum most cutters seem to start with cutting the pavillion facets.
Or have I got this wrong?

[Capt. Mendoza]

The pavilion is the most important part of a faceted stone to get right. If the angles aren't right, the stone will look lifeless, with no fire or sparkle. The crown is a little more "forgiving" in its angles. With all that said, the pavilion is typically cut first for this reason...

Personally I've cut stones both crown and pavilion first, and though i have no problems with either way, i prefer to cut crown first...i find it just a smidge easier in the transfer of the dops. I think the main factor to consider is (does one have enough height to the stone to begin with prior to cutting.)

My only other advise is try cutting both ways and see first hand what works best for you...  Enjoy! 

[makes_things]

When I bought a copy of John Broadfoot &Peter Collins' book on faceting (available from the local faceting guild, Cutting Gemstones;A beginners guide to faceting) the guy who sold it to me said that cutting pav first means it is easier to get the point directly centered under the table facet. I personally find cutting pav first is easier on a modern machine, but if using a jamb peg setup the opposite is true.

[Capt. Mendoza]

Pardon the pun, but that's a good point makes_things...