a high - velocity liquid jet cutting nozzle and housing for use with high - pressure fluid sources is disclosed . the nozzle housing eliminates the use of elastically deformable collars by having a nozzle mount of a material which yields only under the pressure of the liquid in the system . the nozzle mount extends downstream of the nozzle element and provides a yielding support , under pressure , for the nozzle element in the direction of fluid flow . the nozzle element , constructed from a jewel , typically sapphire , is thereby supported in a mounting element in a yieldable high - pressure seal when in operation . different configurations can be used to produce a variety of cutting streams , depending on the material to be cut .