In the processing sequence from rough to finished gemstone, what step follows planning and splitting?

• A. Bruting or girdling
• B. Faceting
• C. Evaluation and pricing
• D. Sorting rough

Answer: (C)

After you plan and split the rough, you move into evaluating and pricing the pieces. This step weighs each piece’s potential value by considering factors like carat weight, color, clarity, and what kind of cut or yield is possible, along with current market prices and production costs. The goal is to decide which pieces are worth investing in for further processing and which should be set aside or discarded. This assessment guides downstream decisions and helps allocate time and resources before you begin actual cutting. Sorting rough happens earlier to categorize material, while bruting or girdling and faceting occur after you’ve determined viability and planned the specific cut, not immediately after planning and splitting.