From Silicon to Sparkle: The Story Behind Azotic’s Gemstone Revolution
Behind every beautiful gemstone lies a story — and few are as remarkable as the one that built Azotic LLC. Founded by Steve Starcke, a former IBM…
Separation of the Natural and Synthetic Diamond Markets Revisited
At the 2024 JCK show, we interviewed both natural and synthetic diamond sellers about the state of the global diamond market as a whole. We were interested…
Technological Advances in Faceting
For thousands of years, gem cutting was purely an art form passed down through generations of skilled craftsmen. Masters would spend decades learning…
Guide to Identifying and Correcting Poor Gemstone Cuts
As a gemstone cutter, you’ve likely encountered stones that should sparkle brilliantly but instead appear lifeless and dull. The culprit…
Hardness and Cleavage Considerations
Picture this: You’re holding a stunning piece of rough diamond, the hardest material on Earth. You strike it with a hammer, expecting it…
Color and Transparency
Imagine holding a rough, dull piece of crystal that transforms into a dazzling, brilliantly colored gem through the magic of faceting. This transformation…
Inclusions and Cutting Strategy
Imagine holding a rough emerald worth thousands of dollars. Inside, you spot a dark crystal inclusion right in the center. Do you cut it out and lose…
Yield Optimization vs. Aesthetics
Picture this: You have a stunning piece of aquamarine rough worth thousands of dollars. Do you cut it for maximum weight retention to preserve its…
Round Brilliant Cut: The Crown Jewel of Faceted Gemstone Design
Picture a gemstone that captures light like no other, splitting it into rainbow flashes that dance with every movement. The round brilliant cut…
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