5-DAY SPECIALTY COURSES
2026 schedule calendar will be released soon.
TRADITIONAL FACETING
FANTASY CUTTING & CARVING
1
FREESTYLE FACETING: (INTERMEDIATE)
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Reading the Rough
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Choosing the right Design
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Faceting on the Fly
2
DESIGNING IN GEMCUTSTUDIO: (INTERMEDIATE)
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Optimizing Performance and Brilliance
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Calculating and Maximizing Yield
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Adjusting Aspect Ratios to Match Rough
3
JUMBO GEMSTONE FACETING: (INTERMEDIATE)
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Lap Sequences for 100+ ct. Gems
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Adapting Diagrams for Jumbo Stones
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Nuances of Large Facets and Stones
4
BRIOLETTES, SPHERES, & SOLIDS: (INTERMEDIATE)
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Dopping, Transferring, and Workholding
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Preforming and Proportions
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Nuances of Unique Shapes
5
SPEED CUTTING: MAXIMIZING EFFICIENCY: (INTERMEDIATE)
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Proper Quality Control for each Project
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Quality vs. Quantity: Finding Balance
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​Workstation Efficiency
6
RECUTTING DAMAGED GEMS: (INTERMEDIATE)
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​Saving the Stone: Retaining Weight
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​To change, or not to change: the Shape
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Dopping with pre​cision alignment
7
PRECISION MEETPOINT
FACETING: (ADVANCED)
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Building Accurate Reference Points
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Proper Methods and Procedures
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Dialing in Machine and Tool Alignment
8
COMPLEX DIAGRAM FACETING: (ADVANCED)
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Size and Resolution: How they Relate
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Reducing Errors
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Nuances of Cutting Complex Diagrams
1
INTRO TO FANTASY CUTTING 201: (INTERMEDIATE)
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Foundations and Fundamentals
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General Machine Set-Up and Operation
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Basic Techniques and Starter Designs
2
FANTASY TIPS AND TRICKS: (ADVANCED)
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Deeper dive into fantasy cutting techniques
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Exploring a sampler platter of cutting styles
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V-Grooves, Circles, & Concaves
3
FANTASY CUTTING - V GROOVES:
(ADVANCED)
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Starburst, Katana, and Diamond Back Designs​
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Compositional Nuances of V-Groove Designs
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4-Axis vs. 5-Axis Machining
4
FANTASY CUTTING - CIRCLE CUTTERS: (ADVANCED)
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Torus, Flower of Life, & Snakeskin Designs
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Compositional Nuances of Circle Designs
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4-Axis vs. 5-Axis Machining
5
FANTASY CUTTING - CONCAVE: (ADVANCED)
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Round Concave, Criss-Cross, & other Designs
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​Compositional Nuances of Concave Designs
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5-Axis vs. 6-Axis Machining
6
REVERSE INTAGLIO/ FREEHAND SCULPTING: (*ADVANCED*)
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Freehand Carving Tools and Techniques
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Carving Tablet and Portrait style Gems
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Optical Assistance and Workholding
7
FANTASY CUTTING: ROSE ENGINE LATHE: (*EXPERT*)
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Rose Engine: Basic Functions and Operation
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Rosette Intaglio fantasy carving Designs
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Deep Relief and sculptural Designs
8
FANTASY TOOLMAKING & MAINTENANCE: (*EXPERT*)
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In-house Production of Custom Tooling
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V-Wheels, Circle Cutters, & Cylinder Mandrils
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Recommended Materials for Lapidary Tools
* ​Starred courses implement and build off of secondary skillsets that are separate from traditional faceting and/or fantasy cutting skills
MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Bryan D. Drummond is an award winning gemcutter and goldsmith based in Las Vegas, Nevada. His recent notable accomplishments include being in the Artist Spotlight of the highly coveted Patek Phillipe: The Magazine (Volume V, Number 7), and earning first place in the AGTA Spectrum and Cutting Edge Awards (Innovative Faceting, 2023).​
Bryan takes a very methodical approach to his craft - always seeking to understand not only the how’s, but also the why’s. He offers instruction with this same mindset - making it easy for students to lock-in new knowledge, and apply it creatively towards their own ideas and projects.​
