What is the Best Synthetic Corundum?
Question: Which laboratory method creates the best synthetic corundum for faceting? By International Gem Society 2 minute read Synthetic corundum…
What is the Average Gemstone Faceting Yield?
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…
Gem Cutting Acronyms and Their Meanings
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…
Caring for Opals: Preventing Crazing
Question: I happened upon some opal in the raw when I was traveling in Honduras. There were ten pieces in a bottle filled with water. The man who sold…
Introduction to Diamond Faceting Equipment
Question: I’m looking for some diamond rough for sale. I’ve heard that the equipment I need to cut diamonds is somewhat different…
Test Taking Tips and Strategies
Step 1: Introduction to Gemology Lesson 25 Back to syllabus One of the sad things about grading the gemologist exams is seeing people miss easy questions…
Professional Gemologist Certification Course
The International Gem Society (IGS) was one of the first online schools of gemology to serve a global audience. Our goal is to provide a flexible…
Gem Cutting Machine Recommendations
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…
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