Faceting is more than a technical process—it’s a deeply personal art form that transforms raw gemstones into radiant expressions of inspiration and connection. Through Diane’s Oval, lapidary artist Jim Perkins shares the heartfelt story behind his custom amethyst cut, designed in honor of a cherished high school classmate, Diane. This piece showcases the precision and creativity involved in gemstone faceting and highlights how personal relationships can inspire unique and meaningful designs.
Inspiration Behind Diane’s Oval
For Jim Perkins, the inspiration for Diane’s oval is a classmate. While attending his 50th high school class reunion, Jim was able to catch up with a classmate, Diane. She and her family were people Jim always thought a lot of. Diane was a majorette in school, and her brother was a fellow Boy Scout with Jim.
“I simply was inspired to cut a stone for her,” Jim reports. “Amethyst is her birthstone, so I designed the stone. I often do this for my friends from school.”
The Significance of Amethyst
Amethyst is a violet/purple variety of quartz. It has captivated jewelers and collectors for centuries. Once prized as highly as diamonds and sapphires, amethyst was believed by ancient Greeks to ward off intoxication and encourage clarity of thought. Its durable hardness (7 on the Mohs scale of hardness) makes it ideal for faceting, allowing for crisp edges and high polish. In metaphysical traditions, amethyst is associated with peace, protection, and spiritual insight—qualities that resonate with the emotional tribute behind Diane’s Oval. The gem’s deep purple tones and subtle color zoning offer visual interest and symbolic weight. Choosing amethyst for this design added a layer of meaning that complemented the personal nature of the piece, making it not just beautiful but profoundly heartfelt.
Early Exposure Creates Carving Passion
Jim carved an exciting and inspiring path in carving gemstones. His exposure to gemstone cutting and design took place when Jim was in seventh grade and attended a meeting of the Akron, Ohio, Gem & Mineral Club and the Medina Gem & Mineral Society.
For more than three decades, he has been honing his skills, amassing faceting and gemstone knowledge, and encouraging others to do the same. A perfect example of this mindset can be seen in Jim’s response to the question: What important advice would you share with anyone looking to tackle faceting patterns?
“We all stand on the shoulders of giants,” he said. “Read everything you can that your favorite designers have written, study designs they have done, and look for ways to improve the designs to make each your own.”
Faceting Resources
If you’ve been thinking about whether faceting is for you or getting started faceting, we have a few tips to get started.
• The American Federation of Mineralogical Societies is a great resource to locate local gem and mineral groups.
• The United States Faceters Guild is focused on promoting the art, skills and instruction of faceting. The organization is a national repository for faceting resources and hosts faceting competitions.
• William Holland School of Lapidary Arts is a Georgia-based institution offering courses on a variety of lapidary practices, including faceting.
Summary: Faceting Diane’s Oval
In conclusion, the story of Diane’s Oval exemplifies how the art of faceting intertwines technical skill with personal expression. Jim Perkins’ creation serves as a testament to how meaningful relationships can inspire unique designs, turning gemstones into lasting tributes. For those interested in exploring this craft, this story underscores the rewarding blend of precision, creativity and emotional resonance that it offers.
This story about the Diane’s Oval design previously appeared in Rock & Gem magazine. Click here to subscribe. Story by Jim Perkins with Antoinette Rahn.
