Questions About Lapidary and Jewelry Making

What’s the average gemstone faceting yield from a single piece of rough? Learn how to estimate how much material you’ll need to cut to get the…

You’ll find gem cutting acronyms like L/W in faceting guides. Learn what these frequently used terms mean and how they can save gem cutters time…

Bangkok is the center of the colored gem trade. Compare the top four Bangkok gemology schools and see why this city is the ideal place to learn about…

Finding your path to success in the gem trade takes introspection, education, and exploration. Learn about your options for entering this tight-knit…

Finding good diamond rough and the right equipment can be challenging for a non-professional diamond cutter. Learn what to look for here.

Polishing gemstones is difficult to master. Pre-polishing plays a major role in how well a gem can take a polish. Avoid scratches with these techniques.…

Fuzzy refractometer readings may be the result of poorly faceted gems, the wrong amount of refraction liquid, and even stone size. Learn more here.…

What are the best techniques and tools for polishing girdles? Learn how to complete your faceted gems quickly and easily and avoid common errors.…

The glass used to make refractometer hemicylinders is susceptible to tarnish. Here’s a step-by-step guide for re-polishing a refractometer…

With the right tools and a little drilling know-how, you can create a rock lamp with an agate or jasper base, an oil lamp, and a glass lantern.

A ceramic lap is an excellent choice for polishing gemstones. Here is a guide for properly charging ceramic laps and avoiding scratching.

Choosing the best gemstone orientation for your rough takes skill and experience. Learn what factors you should take into account before cutting.…

Polishing sapphire gemstones can be tough on laps. Learn the pros and cons of different laps and some techniques to save time and money.

Vapor deposition can be used to enhance gemstones like topaz and quartz with a metal coating or sheen. Learn how the process works here.

Faceting wax or dop wax comes in different colors with different melting points. Learn how to choose the wax best suited for holding your gem for…

Polishing synthetic corundum without leaving pits requires certain techniques and tools. Get expert lapidary advice here.

What’s the best gem cutting machine for novices? Read about some popular models and learn the importance of finding the machine that’s right for…

Wax casting makes it possible to create intricate and unique metal pieces for jewelry. Here are some tips for beginners on a budget.

With study, care, and the right tools, hobbyist gem cutters can add diamond cutting to their repertoire. Get started with these tips from expert…

Is a flat lap to dop swing really necessary? Learn how a gemstone should contact a faceting machine lap and get some advice for adjusting your equipment.…

To pick the right cut for a gem, you need to figure its maximum potential shape. Preforming gemstone rough is essential for making the design a reality.…

What’s the best doublet glue for creating assembled stone jewelry? Learn about the choices as well as tips for making the bond between gemstones…

Has your sterling silver money clip lost its spring? If you have experience with metalworking, learn these methods for repairing these popular…

Deep-cut gems like Barions may not fit in standard ring mountings. Jewelers can try to find special mounts or custom solder a mount from pre-made…

Oil treatment is a standard industry practice for enhancing emeralds. However, the treatments are not permanent. Learn how to re-oil emeralds…

Before you turn the alloyed gold you got a great deal on into gold jewelry, carefully consider what gold refining system will work best for you.

Working with platinum is actually a little easier than working with gold. If you want to add platinum jewelry repair to your metalworking skills,…

Cutting tourmaline can be difficult. Some gems seem to shatter easily. Learn faceting techniques to minimize this risk as well as what equipment…

A quartz wedge can be used with a polariscope to help a gemologist distinguish the + or – optic sign of a gem. Learn how to make and use one.

Faceted dark colored gemstones can have intense colors but little brilliance. A simple formula can help a gemologist estimate a fair value for…

Silk inclusions in sapphires are hard to detect. Learn to pick the best orientation and cut for these gems. You might end up with a prize star sapphire.…

Gemologists may immerse gems in refraction fluids during examinations. This refractive index list of household liquids offers some common alternatives.…

What factors determine the light return of faceted gemstones? Facet quality, polish, color, and cut style all play roles. Learn more about these…

A gemstone’s optic sign may be listed as either + or -. Learn whether impurities in a specific stone or the choice of axes to measure RI cause the change.…

Some gems are seldom faceted because they’re rarely found in nature or rarely used for jewelry. Learn a few tricks for faceting seven exotic gemstones.…

Cabochon cuts are popular for showcasing opal doublets. Learn a trick for making a bezel setting for doublets that are wider on top than the bottom.…

Many factors contribute to gemstone brightness. Learn the role a gem’s refractive index plays and the difference between gemology theory and…

Ring sizing is an important part of jewelry making and repair. Learn a few soldering and annealing tricks from the pros to master this skill.

Rubies and sapphires can be made in a lab. The process that yields the best synthetic corundum for faceting should give you the best return for your…

For faceting, the distinction between gems and minerals is usually clarity. However, learn why the decision to cut may be an aesthetic or even a…

What are the best facet designs for novice gem cutters? Find recommendations for cutting styles, books, resources, and gemstone rough here.

Dark green tourmaline and red rubellite gems can look very black in an emerald cut. Learn how to minimize this effect and show off these rich colors…

Curved striae or lines are a telltale sign of synthetic ruby and sapphire. If you’re having trouble seeing them, here are some helpful tips.

Gem repair is challenging but can also bring new life to vintage jewelry. Learn how to repair a cracked emerald with Opticon sealer and a small vacuum.…

How do you start making a living in the jewelry trade? You need to learn gemology and metalsmithing and get serious about sales. Here are some tips.…

Want to start cutting beautiful star gemstones? Here are some helpful gemological resources for novice lapidaries and jewelers.

Learn how to cut a labradorite gemstone to showcase its striking color flash most effectively. Spectrolite is one variety that displays multiple…

Can gemstone pricing formulas help gem merchants and buyers make fair deals? Learn what factors can affect gem prices.

Learn which rough gemstones are ideal for beginning faceting practice. A progression of relatively inexpensive gem species can teach important…

Gem faceters must consider factors like brilliance, color, and faceting yield before choosing a cut style. Learn what a Barion cut can bring to…

Where do the best rough sapphire stones come from? It depends on the color. Blue may be the most valued color, but these gems pose problems for faceting.…