Gemstone cutting and faceting course

Foundation course

The contents of the course include information on techniques for the cutting and faceting of gemstones, basic gemmological information to permit recognition of the material to be cut, analysis of the cutting diagrams and the Gem Cad software.
The practical part will be devoted to the actual stone cutting and the use of the machinery and all the mechanical equipment.
The aim of the course is to prepare the student to be able to execute classic 57-facet cuts (brilliant cut and rectangular shape step cuts on crystals of grade 7 hardness, such as citrine and amethyst, and the cabochon cut on materials of grade 3 hardness, such as coral for example). At the end of the course the student will be able to carry out simple cuts on gemstones of average hardness.

Specialisation course

The contents of the course include information on techniques for the cutting and faceting of minerals and basic gemmological information about minerals of a grade 9 hardness (such as rubies and round brilliants), the use of diamond powder for cleaning of the cut stone/gem, study of the fantasy cut diagrams and use of the cutting wheels.
The practical part will be devoted to the actual stone cutting and the use of the machinery and all the necessary mechanical equipment: horizontal faceting machine, the graduated cutting arm and the cabochon machine for practising free cuts and cabochon cuts on materials of grade 7 hardness (such as amethysts) and fantasy cuts on crystals of grade 7 hardness.
At the end of the specialisation course the student will be able to carry out any kind of cut and repair on any type of mineral except diamonds.

Rough and cut gemstones

Course price

Duration No. hours Weeks Price
One-month 36 4 € 950
Course calendar
Enrolment
Rough gems and ring with faceted gem

The cutting of gemstones and resulting jewellery pieces

The gemstones

The word gemstone refers to a series of materials of different origins which can be worked in order to enhance their preciousness in terms of lustre, colour and brilliance.
The elements that allow us to define these stones as precious are: the purity, the intensity of colour and the fact that they are rare. Gemstones comprise all the species and varieties, mostly minerals, that can be cut and polished and can be utilised in the making of jewellery.
The commercial value of a gem depends largely on its optical qualities (clarity and colour) and the workmanship that enhances these qualities.
In the appraisal of the value of a gemstone the workmanship is more important than the fact of belonging to a specific more or less precious species of mineral.