This　paper　presents　the　investigation　of　an　efficient　abrasive　water　jet　(AWJ)　method　for　granite　cutting.　Suitable　conditions　were　explored　by　considering　many　process　parameters,　such　as　water　pressure,　jet　diameter,　nozzle　traversing　speed,　abrasives,　and　so　on.　Meanwhile,　the　acoustic　emission　(AE)　signals　of　the　process　were　detected　by　using　an　AE　sensor　during　the　experiments.　Different　patterns　of　signals　were　discussed　in　relation　to　the　process　behavior.　Based　on　the　analyzed　results,　a　guideline　for　cutting　granite　is　provided　for　improving　surface　quality　and　productivity.