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Jewelry and Lapidary
Cutting and faceting stones, jewelry settings, metals, tools and techniques.
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Most Recent Articles
Anniversary Gifts By Year
Each wedding anniversary is associated with a gemstone. Our chart tells you the best gemstone anniversary gifts by year.
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Moss Agate Engagement Ring Guide
Looking for an alternative to diamonds? A moss agate engagement ring makes a beautiful, affordable, and unconventional choice.
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An Interview with “Diamond Wizard” Maarten de Witte: Part 4
The American Rose Brilliant Cut© is an innovative design by diamond cutter Maarten de Witte. Learn how he created it...
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Jewelry Settings
Jewelry Nomenclature: Jewelry Attachments and Various Findings
Jewelry attachments are the pieces used to hold jewelry items together. Learn about the most popular types as well as...
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Choosing the Right Jewelry Settings for Your Gems
How do you choose jewelry settings for your gems? Learn the pros and cons of pre-made settings, assembling findings, modifying...
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Protective Gem Settings for Rings
All gemstones, from fragile opals to durable diamonds, can benefit from protective gem settings. Learn which jewelry designs are best...
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Jewelry Metals
Jewelry Metals 101: Gold, Silver, and Platinum
Gold, silver, and platinum are the most commonly used jewelry metals. Learn about their physical properties, alloys, and history.
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Testing Gold Karatage and Interpreting Marks
How can you determine the gold karatage of an item and learn if it’s gold-filled or plated? This simple technique...
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How to Calculate the Gold Markup for Jewelry
Learn the meaning of the trade terms for gold weight and karat, so you can calculate the gold content value...
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Jewelry Making Tools
Jewelry Making Tools: An Introduction
Jewelry making is a great way to tap into your creative side. Learn what jewelry making tools you’ll need to...
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What Kinds of Soldering Surfaces are Used in Jewelry Making?
Soldering surfaces will hold your jewelry work pieces securely and protect your workbench. Learn the Pros and Cons of different...
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Flex Shaft Options for Jewelry Making
The flex shaft is designed to assist with drilling, cutting, carving, and polishing jewelry. Learn about the basic options and...
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Metalsmithing and Jewelry Making Techniques
Tips and Tools for Handling Gems Securely
These tips and tools for handling gems securely will help novice gemologists and gem cutters reduce the risk of dropping...
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Prong Setting Gems: A Beginner’s Guide
Using prongs is the most common way to secure a gem to a jewelry piece. Learn basic prong setting procedures...
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Money-Saving Ways to Clean Jewelry
Some household products and do-it-yourself methods can clean jewelry safely and save you money. Discover the common ingredients in some...
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Jewelry Styles and Inspiration
37 Blue Gemstones (Names, Pics, & More)
Symbolic of sea and sky, blue has always been a popular color for gems. Learn how to assess color in...
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Combining Stones in Jewelry
Combining stones can be more than adding diamond accents to colored gemstone jewelry. Explore colored stone combos and learn how...
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10 Rare Engagement Ring Stones that Won’t Break the Bank
Not all rare gemstones cost a fortune. If you’re looking for something different but affordable for your wedding, here are...
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Antique Jewelry and Jewelry History
Early History of Jewelry: Ancient Times to the 17th Century
An early history of gems and jewelry, highlighting different cultures and their varied beliefs about the powers of gems and...
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Antique Engagement Rings
You can find many amazing antique engagement rings from a variety of time periods. Before you shop, learn more about...
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Lapidary Technology Through the Ages: Laps and Polish
Early lapidary technology doesn’t differ from our modern tools as much as you might think. Learn more about the history...
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Fundamentals of Lapidary
A Guide to Gem Cutting Styles
Gem cutting styles refer to the shape and arrangement of facets. The three most basic styles are brilliant, step, and...
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Lapidary Fundamentals: Cutting Rough Stones
Learn the best techniques and tools for cutting rough stones. Making small pieces from big pieces is one of the...
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Lapidary Fundamentals: Cabochon Cutting
Cabochon cutting or cabbing is the most popular form of gem cutting. With practice, you can master this skill. Read...
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Beginner's Information - Learning to Facet
Gemstone Faceting Terms: A Glossary for Students
A glossary of frequently encountered gemstone faceting terms for the student gemologist. Our list covers gemology, gem cutting, and equipment....
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Faceting Equipment Essentials
What faceting equipment do novices need to learn to cut gems? Learn what faceting machines, laps, books, and supplies are...
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Dopping with Wax: Getting Started
Novice gem faceters often have questions about dopping with wax. Learn what types of dopping wax to use and how...
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Grading Gemstones and Diamonds
A Consumer’s Guide to Gem Grading
Learn how gemologists evaluate color, clarity, cut, and carat for gem grading. Consumers can use this information to find the...
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An Introduction to Gemstone Grading
How goes gemstone grading work? Learn how gemologists evaluate both diamonds and colored gems and the qualities they examine.
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Clarity Grading for Colored Gemstones
Don't underestimate the importance of clarity, one of the Four Cs of gemstone grading. For faceted gems, basic clarity grading...
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Determining Gemstone Value, Price, and Appraisals
Appraising Gems and Jewelry
Appraising gems and jewelry involves opinions of value based on knowledge and research. Learn what information gemologists should include on...
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Are Diamonds Really Rare? Diamond Myths and Misconceptions
Diamonds are popular gemstones surrounded by popular misconceptions. We'll tell you how they became so prized and debunk some of...
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Advice for Determining Gemstone Value
Judging gemstone value is complex, and new gemologists can have trouble with this. These four exercises can help you learn...
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More Categories
Jewelry Business Advice1 Articles
Lapidary and Faceting Equipment41 Articles
Lapidary Clubs and Shows20 Articles
Resources for the Professional Lapidary53 Articles
Cutting Information for Specific Gemstones73 Articles
Questions About Lapidary and Jewelry Making50 Articles
Gem Buying Guides47 Articles
Reference Charts & Materials16 Articles
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