COURSE OFFERINGS
Here is a list of our current course offerings
TRADITIONAL FACETING
FANTASY CUTTING & CARVING
1
INTRO TO FACETING 101: (BEGINNER)
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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
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
3
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
4
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
5
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
6
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
7
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 precision alignment
8
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
9
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 Cutters
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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 Cutters
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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 Cutters
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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
WANT TO TAKE A COURSE WE DON'T OFFER?
We love feedback on how to improve the learning experience for our students. Please feel free to reach out with course title/topic suggestions we should add to our public class offerings.
For private one-on-one and group lessons, we can create custom designed curriculums based on the individual goals of the student.
