Understand One of the Most Challenging Materials

Emeralds are one of the most tricky materials that a gemcutter can work with due to their combination of amazing color, heavy inclusions, and high value. Totaling four and a half hours, this course comes in three parts that combine theory and practice. In the first part, you will go through an emerald crash course, which will introduce you to all the emerald localities of the world and what special cutting, polishing, and treatment requirements each locality presents.

In the two practical sections, you will learn how to cut the ideal emerald cut on a piece of hydrothermal emerald and then how to adapt the emerald cut design to an natural piece of emerald that has inclusions and a non-uniform shape that we must work around. This practical aspect also includes a demonstration of different types of specialty polishing laps that are suitable for different types of emeralds.

A Masterclass in Emeralds

Having a deep understanding in the history of emerald mining and use in jewelry combined with a specialized training in polishing different emeralds from different localities is an unparalleled skill set. Never before has the art of emerald cutting been shared so publicly.

This class contains polishing tips and secrets from emerald cutters around the globe, including special tools and techniques for polishing no-oil emeralds. Included in the theory section is a primer on emerald treatments with resin and oil which is essential knowledge for any faceter that wants to cut emeralds.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Emerald Theory - 1 Hour

    • Introduction to Emeralds and the Emerald Cut

    • History of Emeralds

    • Emerald Localities

    • Cutting and Polishing Theory
  • 2

    Perfect Emerald Cut - Hydrothermal - 2 Hours

    • Introduction

    • Preforming

    • Cutting the Crown

    • Polishing the Crown

    • Cutting the Pavilion

    • Polishing the Pavilion
  • 3

    Improvised Emerald Cut - Natural - 1.5 Hours

    • Setup and Preforming

    • Cutting the Crown

    • Polishing the Crown

    • Transferring the Stone

    • Cutting the Pavilion

    • Polishing the Pavilion

    • Undopping the Stone

    • Conclusion

Emeralds and the Emerald Cut is part of the
Specialized Solutions course group

The next set of courses will grow your skills as a cutter by incorporating new designs as well as new solutions to common problems that we find in rough gem material. This course block will dive deep into pleochroic stones and their special needs, such as dark stones, emeralds, stones with a black or dark C-axis, as well as trichroic material.

  • Emeralds and the Emerald Cut

    Learn everything you need to know about cutting and improvising the emerald cut to fit your rough stone. WIth full knowledge of the emerald and it's different localities you can be confident in your emerald cutting.

  • Optimizing Black C-Axis Designs

    When you have an unattractive C-Axis color, you need a special cut to minimize the undesired color in the face-up view of the stone. Expand your design toolbox with this essential cutting style.

  • Orienting Trichroic Stones

    Discover the secrets of stones with three colors. In this course, you learn how to orient trichroic stone for the best face-up color and yield.

  • Dressing Up a Square

    Learn to get fancy with extra faceting patterns for square shaped stones. Uncover the princess and radiant cuts as a way to add brilliance to an otherwise boring outline shape.

What You Will Need

The Faceting Apprentice courses require that you have a basic home faceting studio in order to follow along with the courses

  • A Faceting Machine; Handpiece or Mast-type

  • All the necessary tools for wax dopping, glue transfers, cutting and polishing laps, and more.

  • See our Studio Setup Guide video for a complete walkthrough on what you need.