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Specialty Mini Courses

Introduction to Faceting Mini Course

  • Beginner
  • 6 UNITS
  • 19 LESSONS

Discover how gem faceting transforms raw stones into dazzling treasures. This engaging mini course reveals how cut impacts brilliance, color, and value—perfect for collectors, jewelers, and gem enthusiasts.

About this course

Discover how gem faceting transforms raw stones into dazzling treasures. This engaging mini course reveals how cut impacts brilliance, color, and value—perfect for collectors, jewelers, and gem enthusiasts.

  • Beginner
  • 6 UNITS
  • 19 LESSONS

Who is this course for?

  • Curious Minds & Gem Enthusiasts: If you've ever wondered why certain gems sparkle more than others, or how facet patterns influence a stone's beauty, this course will satisfy your fascination with the inner workings of gemstones.
  • Collectors & Investors: Whether you're building a collection or investing in high-quality stones, understanding cut quality is essential for making smart, value-driven decisions.
  • Aspiring & Professional Jewelers: Learn to recognize and explain how faceting affects both the visual appeal and market value of gemstones—an essential skill for designing and selling fine jewelry.

What this course offers

  • Expert-written, up-to-date content focused on the theory of gem faceting
  • Insights into how different facet designs influence brilliance, color play, and optical performance
  • Exploration of major cutting styles, from brilliant to step and fancy cuts
  • A flexible, self-paced learning experience designed to fit around your schedule
  • An opportunity to test your knowledge and earn the IGS Faceting Theory Badge by completing a final quiz

Why take this course?

This is a unique and affordable opportunity to master one of the most critical — and often overlooked — aspects of gemology. Created by one of the world's leading online gemology education platforms, this mini-course offers both depth and accessibility.

Whether you're buying, selling, collecting, or simply passionate about gemstones, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how faceting influences a gem's beauty and value. By the end of this course, you'll have the knowledge to recognize quality faceting, assess cut performance, and make more informed gem decisions.

Course Roadmap

Read Lessons

Written Test

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Earn Badge

Units & Lessons

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be assigned an instructor for the course?

The course is self-study. This means that all of the material is on our website, and the burden is on the student to follow the Syllabus to learn the material. The benefit of this approach is that each student can learn at his or her own pace, and on his or her own schedule. Students can take as long as they want to complete the quiz to earn the Amethyst Badge.

Won’t the self-study model be difficult if I’m a beginner?

For beginners we recommend following our structured Syllabus, however you may study the material in any order that suits you.