These classes are designed to provide you with the knowledge & skills necessary for advanced cutting

You will gain the background information & skills necessary to select gemstone rough

Learn sources for high quality gemstone rough from national & international dealers

You will learn stone identification & pricing

You will learn wax carving & to set your loose stones into jewelry for sales

The environment is multi-disciplinary which provides a deeper understanding of the jewelry industry

Equipment Used in Class

One Lap Polish

Polishing Made Easy - I created a polish lap that will polish all hardness of gemstones quickly. There is no charging or
maintenance, it’s ready to use. If you ask experienced cutters what laps are used in polishing, you will get a grocery
list of laps and methods. You will learn about these laps but polishing will be accomplished with the lap I created.
Polishing has never been easier no matter what hardness of gemstone.

This lap leaves no polish marks which is a real problem with compounds. Also, in the past I always used my ceramic lap to
polish alexandrite, rubies and sapphires. This laps do a fine job but it’s not perfection. I cut emerald cut white sapphires
to simulate diamonds. The stones never looked clean because the ceramic lap is so hard that it leaves very fine scratches.


One cutter that purchased this lap from me called back to say he could not polish his sapphires until he used this lap.

There are gemstones said to be difficult to cut. You will learn there are 4 gemstones not difficult to cut, just take longer to grind.
The gemology you learn at this school will reveal the physical properties of these 4 gemstones and why grinding takes longer.

Time Bending - learning from the experience of others

WEEK ONE... Basic Faceting

You will cut 5 "ideal cut" gemstones

Day	Gemology	Gem Cutting
1	Using the Dial Gauge... What is Calibration?	Standard Round Brilliant
2	Using the Dichroscope... What is Double Refraction?	Emerald Cut
3	Using the Dichroscope... Describing Pleochroic Colors	Oval Brilliant
4	Using the Polariscope... What is Optical Character?	Marquise Brilliant
5	Using the Polariscope... What is Uniaxial & Biaxial?	Pear Brilliant

WEEK TWO... Advanced Faceting

You will cut 5 designer style "Barion Cuts"... these styles are highly desirable

The Barion cut was developed in 1970 by Basil Watermeyer, a diamond cutter in Johannesburg,
Republic of South Africa. The predominant features of this faceting technique will add
fire and scintillation plus more color in light to medium colored gemstones.

Day	Gemology	Gem Cutting
1	Using the Refractometer... What is Refractive Index?	Square Antique Cushion
2	Using the Refractometer... What is a Spot Test?	Triangular Cushion
3	Using the Testing Liquids... What is Specific Gravity	Hexagonal
4	Using the Loupe... What is Cleavage?	Ember
5	Using the Microscope... What are Inclusions?	Fan

WEEK THREE... Advanced Faceting II

You will cut 3 of the most challenging designs in faceting
Two of the gemstones will take you 2 days each to complete
You will learn the most advanced techniques for faceting difficult designs

Day	Gemology	Gem Cutting
1	Using the Color Filter... Where gems get their color	Brilliant Kite Cut
2	Using the Spectroscope... What is Selective Absorption?	Firecracker Pear Cut
3	Using the Diamond Tester... What are Simulates?	"
4	Color Description... About Hue, Tone & Saturation	Cleopatra's Eye
5	Using Color & Clarity to Calculate Value	"

WEEK FOUR... Gemstone Repair

You will learn the art of gemstone repair... removing chips, scratches & abrasions

Learn the tangent ratio formula for angle changes... no trigonometry here! the calculator does the math

4th Week Options: Wax carving, stone setting, using the torch, ring sizing and buffing

You will receive a certificate of completion for each week

Have you ever wanted to be a professional at something? Attend my school

Come visit Charlotte, North Carolina and take an educational vacation

The excitement can last a life time!

Course Price:		$800 / week
Weekends:		$180 / day
Hours:		8am to 5pm

Take classes with a friend
$200 / day - $500 each per week

This school runs each week
Once you have determined your schedule, call to register for class

Phone: 704.778.6967

Notes from Students

Map to The Gemcutter

Lodging Accommodations