Just faceted a 5-carat blue sapphire. The pavilion angles produce incredible fire.

Commission piece finished. My client cried when they saw it. That's why I do this.

Faceting machine setup. The equipment and calibration for precision cutting.

Exclusive: Full stone cutting. Raw crystal to finished gem in detailed timelapse.

Rough stone selection. Identifying potential in uncut material.

The history of Idar-Oberstein. My city and its centuries of gem cutting.

Lap selection for different materials. Diamond, ceramic, and resin options.

Subscriber exclusive: Monthly gem spotlight with market pricing and quality factors.

Gem identification basics. Refractive index, specific gravity, and visual clues.

The GIA grading system. Understanding color, clarity, cut, and carat.