Quick Answer#
Gemstones are highly reflective by nature, so some reflections are expected in every shot. To minimize distracting ones, close the front panel of your GemLightbox during capture, adjust the angle of the piece, and use GemBrush to remove any remaining unwanted reflections after capture.
Why Gemstones Naturally Produce Reflections#
Gemstones are specifically cut and polished to interact with light that's what gives them their brilliance, fire, and scintillation. This also makes them one of the most challenging subjects to photograph.
Gemstones that are particularly prone to reflections include:
Diamonds and moissanite highly faceted, designed to reflect and refract light in every direction
Sapphires, rubies, and emeralds deep color combined with polished facets creates strong reflections
Opals iridescent surfaces pick up reflections from the camera and surrounding environment
Highly polished cabochons smooth domed surfaces act almost like a mirror
Because of this, it is normal to see some reflections in your images. Even professional jewelry photographers spend time repositioning pieces and performing light retouching after the shot. The goal is not to eliminate every reflection small highlights are what make gemstones look alive but to reduce reflections that distract from the stone itself.
Close the Front Panel of Your GemLightbox#
Keeping the front panel closed during capture creates a more enclosed lighting environment. This helps the gemstone reflect the white interior of the GemLightbox rather than the darker opening or the surrounding room, resulting in cleaner, more consistent images.
This is especially effective for highly faceted stones like diamonds and sapphires, where open-environment reflections can appear as dark patches across the facets.
Adjust the Shooting Angle#
Rather than shooting directly from the front, try making small adjustments to the position or tilt of the piece. Even a slight rotation can shift unwanted reflections away from the most prominent facets without affecting the overall composition.
For faceted gemstones, this can make the difference between a stone that looks dull and one that looks brilliant. It's worth taking several test shots from slightly different angles to find the position with the fewest distracting reflections.
Remove Remaining Reflections with GemBrush#
After capturing the image, use GemBrush in the media editor to manually remove any small reflections that remain. GemBrush is ideal for:
Camera reflections on the table facet of a stone
Lightbox opening reflections on polished surfaces
Small distracting highlights on cabochons or smooth stones
Minor imperfections on the girdle or pavilion of a gemstone
For the most natural-looking result, use GemBrush for targeted touch-ups rather than removing every highlight. Highlights on gemstones are part of what makes them look real and valuable.
Best Practices#
For the cleanest results, follow this workflow:
Close the front panel of your GemLightbox before capturing
Position the piece and adjust its angle until reflections on the main facets are minimized
Capture several images from slightly different angles
Select the best image
Use GemBrush for any final touch-ups if needed
Expected Result#
After following these steps, your gemstone images should have significantly fewer distracting reflections while preserving the natural sparkle, color depth, and brilliance of the stone.
Common Questions#
Why do I still see reflections on my gemstones after closing the front panel? Highly faceted stones like diamonds and moissanite will always reflect some light that's by design. Closing the front panel reduces the most common sources of unwanted reflections, but some will remain. Use GemBrush for any that are still distracting after capture.
Can the GemLightbox completely eliminate reflections from gemstones? No. No photography setup can completely eliminate reflections from highly reflective faceted stones. The goal is to minimize unwanted ones through good lighting, positioning, and light retouching not to remove all light interaction from the stone.
Should I remove every reflection from a gemstone? No. Small highlights and light interactions are what make gemstones look brilliant and valuable. Focus on removing only reflections that distract from the stone, such as a visible camera reflection or a dark patch from the lightbox opening.
Which gemstones are the hardest to photograph without reflections? Diamonds, moissanite, and highly polished white sapphires tend to be the most challenging due to their high refractive index and the number of facets. Opals and smooth cabochons can also be tricky due to their mirrored surfaces.