The Introduction to Jambpeg Cutting workshop offers a rare opportunity to learn a traditional style of gemstone faceting that places the emphasis on the cutter's eye, judgment, and craftsmanship. Unlike modern machines that rely on fixed indexes, precise angle settings, and written diagrams, the jambpeg encourages a more direct relationship with the stone itself. Through careful observation and experience, the cutter learns to create symmetry, beauty, and polish by seeing rather than simply measuring.

Over the course of this intensive one week workshop, you will learn the fundamentals of operating a jambpeg faceting machine while cutting gemstones using traditional techniques. Rather than focusing on numbers and mechanical precision, you will learn to observe the stone itself, developing a deeper understanding of symmetry, proportion, light performance, and polishing through direct visual feedback. As you progress through the course, you will discover how generations of cutters achieved beautiful results through skill, patience, and a deep understanding of their material.

While the techniques themselves are rooted in the historic traditions of European gemcutting, our approach combines the best of both worlds. Students work on modern French made Fralap jambpeg machines while also learning how to use digital angle gauges and modern gemological knowledge to bring the most beauty to their stones. Throughout the week, we explore how traditional cutting methods can be enhanced by a modern understanding of optics, critical angles, and gemstone performance. The result is a practical system that preserves the artistry and intuition of historical cutting while benefiting from the accuracy and knowledge available to today's cutters.