KAL-TOH

Kim Lembke’s design, Kal-toh, is based on the Star Trek magnetic jumble rod game of strategy played by Tuvok

- MARK OROS

Kal-toh is both a fun and challenging gemstone design to facet. The design is a challenge because of the absence of meetpoints — the junctions where facets meet and guide the gemstone cutter in systematically aligning the gemstone. Without meetpoints, the faceter will have to eye the position and relationship of the facets. This can be unnerving for those used to relying on the geometric structure of meet-points. To quote Tuvok, “We often fear what we don’t understand. Our best defense is knowledge.”

TIPS FOR CUTTING THE KAL-TOH DESIGN

1. Since we do not have the luxury of meet point faceting in this design, try to keep the visual proportions that Kim shows in the diagrams. Do not worry about getting the proportions perfect on rough grit laps, but work on getting the proportions of the facets closer each time you go to a new lap/grit.