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When it comes to gems, the cabochon is the oldest cut of all . You can recognize it by its generally convex, smooth, and unfaceted surface. Although, as you'll see later, faceted cabochons do exist. In my opinion, this cut is both practical and timeless , which is why I want to share some of my experience as a cabochon cutter with you: What is a cabochon? Cabochon vs. faceted: What are the differences? What are cabochons used for? What are the shapes of cabochons? How to cu

In the world of corundums, there are sapphires that encapsulate two or more colors in a single gem . These are bicolor, parti, and multicolor sapphires: A wonder of nature that offers a unique chromatic spectacle, and turns each stone into a unique work of art . Want to learn more about these exceptional gems? So, keep reading this guide we've created for you, where you'll discover: What bicolor, parti, and multicolor sapphires are, and what their differences are What their p

Known for its intense red color, pyrope garnet has captivated humanity for centuries . It is a stone that combines timeless beauty with excellent durability and a fascinating history. That's why, at Oscar Bautista , we decided to create this complete guide so you can better understand and appreciate this gem. Here, you'll learn some details about its formation and the factors that determine its market value: What is pyrope garnet? What are its properties? How is it formed? Wh

With its captivating color, aquamarine has been one of the most prized gemstones throughout history. Its name, derived from the Latin "aqua marina" (sea water), is a true reflection of its beauty. So, if you want to learn more about this stone, continue reading this guide we created for you, where you will find: What is aquamarine? What are its properties? How is it formed? Where is it found? What are the types of aquamarine? What treatments are given to aquamarine? Factors t

As an experienced gem cutter , I can tell you that one of the most delicate moments during the cutting process is the gemstone dopping (when you attach the gem to the dop): You need precision and a steady hand to ensure that the stone is properly centered and, as a result, you get the desired results. Using dopping wax for lapidary So, if you are venturing into the world of gem cutting as a hobby or business and want to develop a good gemstone dopping technique using wax , I

The information below applies to a wide variety of gemstones but does not apply to diamonds, as their cutting process is different. In my daily work, I use three types of discs for cutting gemstones : roughing discs, faceting laps, and polishing laps . The main difference between the diamond discs I use for roughing and faceting lies in the grit, and the choice depends on the stage of the process and the type of stone (always based on its hardness). On the other hand, gemston

As a gemstone cutter , one of the questions I receive the most has to do with what tools and accessories I have in my workshop and consider essential in this craft. That's why I decided to make this list in which I'm going to tell you, in my opinion, which are the 15 gem cutting accessories and tools that you should have (nothing is mandatory, everything is optional). To guide you better, throughout this article I am going to share some photos and give you examples of the us

Hardness is one of the main properties of minerals and is especially relevant to those working with gemstones , for example, in jewellery and gem cutting. But what is the hardness of gemstones? Well, according to the International Gem Society , hardness refers to the resistance or opposition of a mineral to being scratched . In practical terms, this means that harder gemstones do not scratch “as easily” compared to softer or less hard gemstones. For example, sapphires are har

Find the best present ideas in our guide to Christmas Gifts 2023 with handmade sustainable pieces.

On September 18, Christie's issued a press release talking about the Bleu Royal, the largest Internally Flawless Fancy Vivid Blue diamond at auction. The indicated date was November 7, highlighting that the Bleu Royal would make the grand closing of the Magnificent Jewels auction in Geneva The characteristics of the Bleu Royal Rahul Kadakia, international director of jewelery at Christie's, describes this gemstone as “a true miracle of nature”. This is an Internally Flawles

Learn how to make a round cabochon. Find the 5 most important steps to cut a cabochon, with photos of the process in our tutorial.

Learn about the 5 characteristics that have made glass one of the favorite materials in jewelry. The size: forget the words "carats" and “shortage" Variety: the rainbow range at your fingertips Hardness: an advantage of the material in the cutting process Availability: the guarantee of continuity for your projects Sustainability: an intrinsic value I am fascinated by precious stones. I love that they are authentic, natural, unrepeatable. I have declared myself a fan of