Gem Cutting for Beginners

In this series of videos, master gem cutter, Steve Moriarty, shows you how to do everything from identifying inclusions to faceting and polishing your gemstones. This is an in-depth series and absolutely free for the public! It goes through the seven most important steps to cutting a gemstone. And if you have questions on the machine that Steve uses to cut, you can find a full review of the Ultra Tec V5 gem cutting machine here. If you have questions about any steps along the way, make sure to post them in the Youtube comment section and don't forget to follow us! You can watch our entire selection of gem cutting videos here.

Cutting gemstones can be an exciting and rewarding experience, whether you're a beginner or an experienced lapidary artist. There are several techniques and tools you can use to cut and polish gemstones at home, including free faceting diagrams, faceting machines, and hand-cutting tools.

One of the first steps to faceting gemstones is to choose a faceting diagram. Faceting diagrams are like blueprints that show you how to cut your gemstone into specific shapes and angles. You can find free faceting diagrams online or purchase them from lapidary supply stores.

Once you have your faceting diagram, you can begin to prepare your gemstone for cutting. If you are working with an amethyst crystal, for example, you will need to first clean it and remove any dirt or debris from the surface. You can then use a saw or other cutting tool to shape the rough stone into a more manageable size and shape.

When you are ready to start cutting, you can use a faceting machine to create precise facets on your gemstone. Faceting machines use a rotating lap and a series of diamond-tipped cutting disks to shape and polish the gemstone. Some popular brands of faceting machines include Ultra Tec and Facetron.

If you prefer to hand-cut your gemstones, you can use tools like a trim saw, a cabochon machine, or a dremel tool with diamond cutting disks. Hand-cutting can take longer than using a faceting machine, but it can also be a more affordable option for those who are just starting out.

After you have cut your gemstone, you can then polish it to a high shine using a polishing wheel or polishing compound. Gemstones can also be carved or shaped using lapidary techniques, such as engraving or intaglio carving.

There are many resources available online for learning how to cut and polish gemstones, including faceting videos, lapidary tutorials, and gem faceting tutorials for beginners. Whether you are interested in faceting, carving, or cabochon cutting, there are many ways to get started with gemstone cutting and polishing.