The complete programme for learning to think like a cutter. Building on the fundamentals, students work mainly with natural gemstones and learn the real decision-making behind professional gem cutting — rough analysis, color orientation, weight estimation, cutting diagrams, lap preparation, and machine care.
In short: 12 Days = Learn to Think Like a Cutter. Includes everything in the 9-Day Course, plus natural gemstone cutting, lap conditioning, machine maintenance, and a visit to a gem-cutting equipment & supply shop on Day 12.
What Will I Learn?
This course goes beyond learning how to operate cutting machines. By the end of the program, students will be able to:
- Understand the differences between Thai Freehand, Jambpeg, Handpiece Faceting, Precision Faceting (Facetron), and Cabochon Cutting systems
- Determine which gemstones are best suited for each cutting method based on material, shape, value, and desired outcome
- Evaluate rough gemstones and plan cutting strategies to maximize yield, beauty, and value
- Analyze finished gemstones for proportions, symmetry, polish quality, luster, brilliance, and overall cutting performance
- Identify common cutting problems such as windows, extinction, poor symmetry, and polishing defects
- Understand when recutting can improve a gemstone's appearance and market value
- Communicate effectively with professional gem cutters
- Gain practical knowledge of machine maintenance, lap care, alignment, and troubleshooting
- Prepare and condition your own laps
- Read and follow professional gem-cutting diagrams
- Visit a gem-cutting equipment and supply shop on Day 12 to learn what tools and materials professionals use
- Develop the confidence to assess cutting quality and make informed decisions when buying, selling, or recutting gemstones
Ideal for gemologists, gem dealers, jewelry professionals, collectors, and anyone interested in understanding gemstone cutting at a professional level.
Course Modules — From Rough Stone to Finished Gem
Learn the complete gemstone cutting process through five different cutting techniques — from traditional methods to precision faceting. You'll learn not only how to operate each machine, but also how to choose the right technique, plan the stone, maximize color and weight, and adapt your cutting to different rough materials.
Cabochon Cutting
Cabochon Machine · Sawing • Preforming • Shaping • Polishing
Begin with the fundamentals of gemstone cutting by creating a smooth, domed cabochon. Learn selecting suitable rough, sawing and preforming, creating a balanced dome and outline, choosing appropriate laps and polishing methods, controlling hand movement and pressure, and understanding hardness and polishing behavior.
Round Mixed Cut
Jambpeg Machine · Synthetic Corundum
Learn traditional faceting fundamentals and complete your first faceted gemstone. Covers rough orientation, planning the cut, sawing and preforming, pavilion and crown faceting, symmetry and facet control, polishing, and reading and following a cutting diagram.
Goal: Complete your first round mixed-cut gemstone.
Oval Mixed Cut
Jambpeg Machine · Natural Amethyst
Move from synthetic material to a natural gemstone and learn how cutting decisions affect the final stone. Covers analyzing color zoning, choosing the best orientation for face-up color, estimating finished weight from rough, preforming for maximum yield, controlling oval symmetry, and faceting and polishing natural material.
Goal: Learn to balance color, weight, proportions and beauty.
Round Brilliant Cut
Indexed Handpiece Machine · Synthetic Corundum
Learn a different approach to faceting using an indexed handpiece system. Covers indexing and facet sequence, controlling angles, meet-point control, pavilion and crown proportions, table placement, polishing techniques, and creating brilliance and optical performance.
Emerald Step Cut
Precision Faceting Machine · Natural or Synthetic Material
Move into precision faceting and learn how accuracy changes the cutting process. Covers reading a detailed cutting diagram, precise angle and index control, blocking and preforming, creating straight clean step facets, maintaining symmetry, polishing large flat facets, and controlling reflections and windowing.
Cushion Cut
Thai Machine · Synthetic Corundum
Experience the speed and flexibility of the Thai cutting style. Covers planning a cushion shape from rough, preforming, facet placement, controlling proportions and table size, maintaining symmetry, efficient cutting techniques, and final polishing.
Focus: Understanding the balance between speed, yield and beauty.
Fancy Shapes — Pear · Heart · Marquise
Thai Machine or Jambpeg
Put your knowledge into practice by selecting and creating a fancy shape. Covers choosing the appropriate shape for the rough, shape planning, advanced preforming, symmetry control, facet placement, and final finishing and polishing.
By the End of the 12 Days
You will have experience with five different cutting techniques, multiple gemstone materials, and a variety of shapes. More importantly, you will learn to think like a cutter:
Analyze the rough → Choose the orientation → Estimate the yield → Select the cutting method → Preform → Facet → Polish → Evaluate the finished gem
This is more than learning how to use a machine — it is learning how to make cutting decisions.
Stones Completed During the Program
Students typically complete 5–7 finished gemstones during the course:
CabochonRound Mixed CutOval Mixed CutRound Brilliant CutEmerald Step CutCushion CutFancy Shape
