{"id":20234,"date":"2023-04-24T03:00:25","date_gmt":"2023-04-24T10:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rockngem.com\/?p=20234"},"modified":"2023-04-28T10:33:58","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T17:33:58","slug":"how-to-start-gem-cutting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rockngem.com\/how-to-start-gem-cutting\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Start Gem Cutting"},"content":{"rendered":"

How to start gem cutting is something many ask. Luckily, lapidary artists have been around since humans walked the Earth and the field continues to grow. \u201cThis field is never going to go away. There\u2019s always going to be an opportunity for someone to craft a jewel,\u201d said Robert Mendoza, the production manager for ULTRA TEC. \u201cI was in high school when Joe Rubin, ULTRA TEC\u2019s president, and leader for over 50 years, allowed me to work side by side with him. He taught me so much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"how-to-start-gem-cutting\"<\/a>
Pin this post to save this information for later.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Robert said he can spot someone with what he calls the \u201cgem-cutting gene\u201d because of their questions and the way they examine a stone. These creative souls view the intrinsic worth of an object of beauty.<\/p>\n

Reaching Younger Artists<\/h2>\n

Want to become a lapidarist?<\/a> You’re in good company. Robert says they have noticed a younger demographic\u2019s interest in cutting gemstones. Apprenticing for how to learn gem cutting<\/a> is no longer a must. It\u2019s now possible to learn from a myriad of sources granting more access to everyone.<\/p>\n

Part of the reason so many gem cutters turn to ULTRA TEC is because of its solid foundation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe help them achieve the ideas they have in their mind. At the end of the day they have something tangible,\u201d noted Mendoza. \u201dJoe Rubin started with a good design that we\u2019ve been perfecting over the years. The ULTRA TEC V5 is the best machine to cut gemstones. It carries all the precision to cut gemstones.\u201d<\/p>\n

Continuing to Perfect<\/h2>\n

The ULTRA TEC team enjoys hearing from its customers and often innovates based on suggestions. An example is when they created a digital angle display (DAD) that reads to one-one hundredth of a degree.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you are gem cutting, you deal with a lot of angles. The key is to be able to repeat the angle every single time,\u201d noted Robert. \u201cNo one else has one that dials down as precisely. We are very proud of this device.\u201d<\/p>\n

Quality & Versatility<\/h2>\n

Besides the quality and versatility of the design of the ULTRA TEC machines, people appreciate that while other faceting machine companies have come and gone, ULTRA TEC supports its people and products.<\/p>\n

\u201cULTRA TEC is a traditional American company. Everything is done under one roof. This company is based on ethics, honesty, and integrity,\u201d said Mendoza. \u201cIt makes people happy. We want them to enjoy the hobby.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"how-to-start-gem-cutting\"
Noreen Masaki<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Connection of Mine to Market – Noreen Masaki<\/h2>\n

Tanzania is known for gemstones, but if Noreen Masaki has her way, it will also be the hub of lapidaries.<\/p>\n

\u201cTanzania is exceptionally rich in gemstone deposits of different varieties,\u201d explained Noreen who has been teaching lapidary classes for over 20 years in Tanzania. Her goal, besides creating beautiful pieces, is to teach people to appreciate the relationship between the rough gem and the final product. This is relevant when it comes to encouraging artisans within her own country.<\/p>\n

Her keen mind and excellent eye made her an exceptional student. \u201cAt that time learning about gems was a completely new thing to me,\u201d she said. \u201cAt the end of the four weeks, I loved to work with gems.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said they used the ULTRA TEC V2 during her initial work. \u201cWhat inspired me was the outcome of a faceted gem \u2014 the light reflection, colors, overall brilliance, and irresistible beauty. Over time I learned that not all gems which are cut show their beauty and brilliance and that it had something to do with optical laws and the type of machine used. I was lucky to learn precision faceting of gemstones with the best machine and from the best teacher who respected the optical laws and procedures.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"how-to-start-gem-cutting\"
Tanzanite concave cut by Noreen Masaki<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Current Work<\/h2>\n

Noreen now utilizes the ULTRA TEC V5 for her students and her own work.<\/p>\n

Her students go home with a finished stone on their first day and much of this is because of the quality of the machine.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve tried so many (different machines),\u201d she said. \u201cThe ULTRA TEC V5 is really precise. I do not need surprises when I cut my stones. I like the mast of the ULTRA TEC V5, especially the cheater that helps to find any facet if correction is needed.\u201d<\/p>\n

When Noreen works with a stone, she said, \u201cI give priority of the pavilions first because they are responsible for the brilliance of the stone.\u201d She said the drawback of cutting this way is to possibly cut more of the stone than she\u2019d prefer if the angles aren\u2019t spot on.<\/p>\n

\u201dWe first cut it in our heads,\u201d she said. \u201dI explain the laws of light reflection within the stone before you cut it. Each stone has its own properties. If the stone has a higher refraction index you cut it at lower angles.\u201d<\/p>\n

Noreen sees the beauty in her stones, as well as her students, and through her exceptional talent and high-quality ULTRA TEC faceting machines, she\u2019s creating a new generation of gemstone artists.<\/p>\n

\"how-to-start-gem-cutting\"
Steven Tyler Manchini, best known as Steven Tyler the Designer.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Answering the Call – Steven Tyler Manchini<\/h2>\n

Steven Tyler Manchini, also known as Steven Tyler the Designer, began making wire-wrapped jewelry in 2012 because \u201cit allowed me to have a part-time job while I was in school.\u201d<\/p>\n

After obtaining his degree in biology, he continued making jewelry and exploring his creative side. A change in professions is not unusual for instance some go from tooth jewelry dentist to jeweler<\/a>. \u201cI love science, but every day I was there I was thinking about my bench,\u201d Steven said.<\/p>\n

Always Learning<\/h2>\n

Heeding his inner muse, Steven took classes and taught himself Gem Cad modeling to switch the direction of his vocation, including working with renowned designer Nolan Sponsler who taught him the art of faceting. \u201cI\u2019m learning as much as I can. We all share the knowledge,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

The desire to learn pays off for everyone who marvels at Steven\u2019s unique vision when gem cutting and creating jewelry. A combination of talent and dedication is the perfect recipe for one-of-a-kind pieces.<\/p>\n

\u201cI sit at my bench eight to 14 hours a day. I work seven days a week,\u201d he said. \u201dI just sit at my bench and start the process. It\u2019s the passion for the work that\u2019s driving it.\u201d He believes it\u2019s a matter of being present and finding inspiration in the basic steps as much as anything.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the geometry and geometric stuff are what inspired me,\u201d he said. \u201cI love the Fantasy machine from ULTRA TEC. As much as I love flat faceting, the Fantasy machine inspires me.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Fantasy machine gives him the latitude needed to explore the geometric patterns that catch his eye. \u201cI like the build of the machine,\u201d Steven commented. \u201cIt has an infinite amount of styles that you can do. I had to splurge.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"how-to-start-gem-cutting\"
Amethyst cut by Noreen Masaki<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Professional Goals & Favorite Gems<\/h2>\n

Steven\u2019s goal of having a piece in a museum was realized as his piece \u201cAlsace Aurea\u201d (the Golden Moose) was accepted in the Maine Mineral and Gem Museum\u2019s \u201cBig Find\u201d event.<\/p>\n

Steven cut a rare 25-carat, bi-color Maine tourmaline from the Dunton Gem Quarry and off-set it with two, locally sourced, tourmalines cut with the ULTRA TEC Fantasy machine. They are all set in golden moose antlers creating the ultimate celebration of New England jewelry.<\/p>\n

Although it\u2019s like choosing a favorite child to pick preferred gemstones, as a true New Englander, Steven appreciates working with regional specimens. \u201cI really like tourmaline. You can do a lot with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Every generation brings something new to the cutting bench, and Steven offers an artist\u2019s eye with a scientist\u2019s attention to detail that breathes life into his one-of-a-kind gemstone designs.<\/p>\n

\"how-to-start-gem-cutting\"
Fantasy cut designs from Ron Snelling.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Representing Quality – Ron Snelling<\/h2>\n

Ron Snelling\u2019s interest in gem cutting began in the mid-1960s when the parents of his future wife started a local rock club. He is now the Colorado representative for ULTRA TEC and still belongs to a rock club. \u201cI am one of the cutters in the group. I do not dig in the dirt,\u201d he laughed.<\/p>\n

Ron purchased his first ULTRA TEC in 1990 and is an admirer of the company and its products. \u201cThey keep upgrading and offering parts,\u201d he said, including supporting the longtime workhorse, the V2, which emerged on the market nearly 50 years ago. The reality is that ULTRA TEC machines don\u2019t become obsolete, the company simply continues to improve designs to meet the customers\u2019 needs.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy favorite is the VL (Classic),\u201d Ron noted. \u201cI got to be part of the research and development and put in a little information, among other experts, to build it.\u201d He also owns an ULTRA TEC V5 and a Fantasy machine making him the ideal person to talk to lapidaries about what they want to do with their designs.<\/p>\n

Ron is happy to share his knowledge about how to best adjust the machines for a given task. Whenever someone has a question in his region, he is the expert with the answers. \u201cI do enjoy sharing this,\u201d he commented.<\/p>\n

The Hook & Acalling<\/h2>\n

Ron said one of the most amazing steps in cutting a gem is when the stone is finished and the cutter removes the wax, allowing the gemstone to come to life. \u201cThat\u2019s probably the hook (for this hobby),\u201d he mused.<\/p>\n

Over the years Ron found his calling in bringing already-cut gems back to life. \u201cA friend has a jewelry store and asked me if I could do repairs,\u201d he said. \u201cSometimes there are stones, like tanzanite, that are pretty beat up. When you resurface it, the color comes back into it. The best part of all of this is repairs have paid for my hobby and my equipment.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hobby Trends<\/h2>\n

Ron has noticed a trend in the hobby. \u201cIt\u2019s interesting how the popularity has gone up. What we\u2019re seeing is a resurgence of 20-somethings.\u201d He noted some amazingly talented younger artists are entering top-notch competitions and winning.<\/p>\n

At one point there was more of a feeling of competition and some degree of secrecy in techniques in the gem-cutting community. But Ron said he views gem cutting like music. \u201cThere are only so many chords to play, but there are different ways to play them. You need to play it your own way.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Ron often works with whatever gemstones need his attention the most, he said given the chance to work with a certain variety, \u201cI probably enjoy quartz<\/a> the most because they\u2019re large, they\u2019re plentiful and you can do so much with them.\u201d<\/p>\n

This story about how to start gem cutting previously appeared\u00a0in\u00a0<\/span>Rock & Gem magazine.\u00a0Click here to subscribe.<\/a> Story by Amy Grisak. Sponsored by ULTRA TEC.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How to start gem cutting is something many ask. Luckily, lapidary artists have been around since humans walked the Earth and the field continues to grow. \u201cThis field is never going to go away. There\u2019s always going to be an opportunity for someone to craft a jewel,\u201d said Robert Mendoza, the production manager for ULTRA […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2974217,"featured_media":20245,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,2066,2076,187,1857,924],"tags":[597,1243,1433],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rockngem.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20234"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rockngem.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rockngem.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rockngem.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2974217"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rockngem.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20234"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.rockngem.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20234\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":20467,"href":"https:\/\/www.rockngem.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20234\/revisions\/20467"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rockngem.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rockngem.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rockngem.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rockngem.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}