Hi Tom,
not sure if this may help but in Blender there is an addon called Tissue that converts surfaces to hexagon mesh.
I've been using Moi to model and sending them to Blender via BMOI_Connector mentioned on this forum.
Anyway I have tried using an ico sphere created in Blender converting it to hexagon mesh and instance the gem stone onto the faces as shown in the photo.
On the left Sphere without smoothing, right with smoothing.
You can then bring them back into Moi via BMOI_Connector bridge.
Hope this helps.
Barry
Ps:this video may help
https://youtu.be/asBwqJKkFb4