Blocking refers to ...

• A. Placing the first 17 or 18 facets on a diamond, including the crown and pavilion main facets, table, and sometimes a culet.
• B. Final polishing of the girdle.
• C. Assigning a girdle diameter.
• D. Shaping the pavilion only.

Answer: (A)

Blocking is the initial stage of faceting where the cutter establishes the main facet layout that defines the diamond’s shape and symmetry. In this stage, the table and culet are set, and the crown and pavilion main facets are created, typically forming about 17–18 facets. This framework guides every subsequent step, including shaping, additional facet work, and final proportions.

Because blocking creates the foundational geometry for both the crown and pavilion (not just the pavilion), and it includes the key facets like the table and culet, it’s the best description of what this term means. Final polishing of the girdle is a finishing step, and assigning girdle diameter or shaping only the pavilion are not what blocking entails.