How to cut gemstones - Extreme Gem Cutting

Watch this huge 545 facet gem being cut from start to finish. This gem has amazing scintillation with a 32 facet girdle that weighs in at a whopping 335 carats. Cut on a Australian faceting machine by a Australian Gem Cutter.
paypal.me/vint...
/ vintagetime

[@williamrowell3053]

You sir, are a true craftsman, the cut was is as good as I've seen, thank you for the video.

[@johnknoefler]

Stepping aside from your excellent world class cutting demonstration I just want to point out some thing about your recording and editing technique which should set an example for many other KZbin videos and here's why: First, no lengthy introductions about yourself. You don't need to do that because your work is allowed to speak for you. Then, the pleasant background music that sets the mood. And finally, the dreamy scans of your equipment as you pan over the tools you are using. You tie the entire production together seamlessly into a very watchable and interesting narrative that just doesn't really need words. So, my hat's off to you sir! Excellent work on every level! Top tier performance!

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks John for your kind words. Like many on youtube I'm just a amateur with no formal training at making video content. I'm still trying too improve and come up with different content and ideas surrounding gem cutting. I do try to put myself into the world of the viewer as to how they like to see video of gems being cut ( hopefully I've achieved that). The main thing is that I actually enjoy cutting the gems and making the videos. What I'm most proud of is that I'm not scared to take a close up macro shot of the facets on the gems. Most other channels never show detailed footage, as if they are trying to hide something. Most cameras in last 5 years has good macro technology (even the cheap ones), plus all video software can zoom in close. It's quite remarkable that others will not show the viewer a close up. Cheers

[@zaturn3000]

It’s amazing how you take big pieces of stones and zirconia and make them into giant beautiful gems that are astonishing, great work and you have a great sense of gem cut

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you. I was very happy how this turned out.

[@edgeuvchaos]

This is one of the most beautiful stones I have ever seen! I thought it was Imperial Topaz (which is my favorite and birthstone) and when I read in the comments that it was Cubic Zirconia it took nothing away from this spectacular piece in my mind! Once again fantastic job! Larger gemstones bring a little magic into the world I think and more artists who can create them should. Thank you for this video, I honestly watched it twice just to see this stone be born.

[@ropapekia1967]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/roLMlYdsl6ZgkLM احجار خام

[@idontknowwhatimdoinghere]

I thought it was a Citrine!

[@VintageTimeGems]

It's a Australian faceting machine called a "facetstar". They were made by a Melbourne engineering firm and you cannot buy them anymore.

[@wickedenterprise]

Portuguese cut is my favorite gem cut , and that stone is quite amazing . You have an extraordinary gift my friend. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@christineingram55]

Wow this is breathtaking ..was amazing to watch it come from that brick of a gem into this amazing ..well I think it’s a piece of art ,can only imagine if the sun catches that the brilliance off it would light a room up 😀

[@LaDayna04]

Wow. I didn't realize how much work goes into these. Thank you.

[@suzanneschube5424]

Soooooooo nice to see you back . I've missed seeing you beautiful job on this ! 😀😁😀😁😀😁😀😁😀😁😀😁😀😁😀😁😀😁😀😁😀😁😘😍😎😎😎😎🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you! 😊

[@richardbonnette490]

The sheer extravagance of the cut and the perseverance in this work of art is truly astounding. Wonderful job! Polishing must have taken a long time I admire the perseverance. The gruelling hard work - it seems well worth it to the untrained person from home here. Cutting the pavilion facets looked the hardest. Making the crown also looked hard, though. I was wondering halfway through what the girdle was ... found out at 10:05 The shaky camera just makes this masterful work of art all the more realistic! Splendid! I feel now like this is what Arkenstone should have looked like! I love how the crown creates a hole where where can look into the gem and see perfectly through it!

[@kjersteinsigrunlacson5237]

Oh my goodness!!! This gem has a perfect and a beautiful cut i ever seen!😃😃😃

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you.

[@jimbuxton2187]

You faceted this gem so perfectly there is hardly any windowing !!

[@Iverald]

Love the colour and the cut, it's like a miniature rising sun. :) But although I know that excess material has to be removed, I always find it sad to see so much of it go.

[@kathryncastanares525]

Same.lol I always have a hard time bringing myself to cut a stone when it's one where I don't want to take off much, if any material. So I'll sit there for like a week straight deciding on what cut I am going to do.lol

[@2degucitas]

@@kathryncastanares525 Sounds like me! I hate waste.

[@ThuyNguyen-nm4cb]

Jacek Łękawa is

[@StraitClownin909]

Quality > quantity

[@gemcarver3507]

Here in jaipur we could make an oval out of this rough that weight upto 1000 cts.

[@jedus007]

Awesome workmanship, and Amazing skill, these Gems come to life at the hands of these skilful Masters. Great job.

[@orlando1a1]

What a fantastic cut! You really brought out the fire of the stone.

[@hi.moriarty]

orlando1a1☺ Fit for the gods! Stunning!

[@RedmanOutdoors366]

Thats my favorite cut it saves a lot of the material the weight and creates a brilliant finish very well done sir :)

[@bradonhoover3002]

It's a very nice cut, but it seems very challenging! You can see that the pavilion facets don't meet up perfectly

[@skullfetish2539]

2nd gen master jeweler,award winning sculptor.Bro you killed it!! Sweet!

[@TheSighphiguy]

love your vids, but that music became irritating. had to mute. would prefer just hearing the sounds of the grinder/polisher.

[@stig1280]

Amen.

[@spidersinspace1099]

stig1280 Yeah, or at least change to different music during the video. The video itself is great and thanks for sharing your expertise, very much appreciated

[@jackkuehneman9300]

Both are just as annoying

[@brentambrose]

Absolutely amazing work!!! You have the patience of Job. Just stunning! Just a small suggestion though, I'd recommend changing up the music track a few times during the video. That same track playing all the way through drives a person a bit bonkers...

[@firstdae8042]

Thats true sir too noisey

[@spidersinspace1099]

first dae 🤪😳

[@trippingonrocks1165]

Such an art, thank you for showing us that fantastic transformation. Stunning work.

[@alexliu2455]

Thank you for sharing this. I enjoy every second in this video. Marvellous craft！

[@deborahduthie4519]

Stunningly crisp junctions. Beautifully executed Cliffy. I can’t sit here watching you have all of the fun. I’m Faceting Aussie top of NSW area Rubies today⛏. Wish me luck.💎

[@VintageTimeGems]

Good luck with your faceting Deborah...Regards Cliff

[@lianeisme]

Stunning you are the best cutters I have ever seen

[@shanagant]

This is real professional gems person.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you.

[@Mutant_11]

Portuguese cut is one of the simpler cuts to do. CZ has a high refractive index which works well with this cut. If any are interested in learning to facet you can get a book and machine a teach yourself or take classes. I cut for 19 yrs. The last stone I cut was 14 years ago. This makes me want to break out the machine and my stash of rough and start making little stones out of big ones again. Well done!

[@hamidjan5913]

Martin Rugroden book title please

[@Mutant_11]

The book I started with is "Faceting for Amateurs" by Glen Vargas. This is not a cheap hobby. A new, usable starter machine can cost around $500. Then you need laps, gem tweezers, jewelers loupe, transfer jig, magnifying visor, dops, dopping wax and a few other things. If there is a local rock shop nearby they may have a used machine or know who might have one and they will probably have the items just listed. The machine is why nearly anyone can facet. Each gem has a refractive index which means the bottom, or pavillion of the stone has to be cut or ground at a certain angle which you set on the machine. Then the placement of facets is determined by the index wheel, also on the machine. Follow the directions in the book. My first successful gem was a round brilliant garnet. Took me 8 hours to cut and polish. At the end a round cut took 35 minutes start to finish. That was a sapphire. I sold my Facette faceting machines, but if I wanted to cut professionally again I'd buy a VJ Faceting machine out of Australia. Seems fairly simple doesn't it? The polishing is the hardest thing to do. Different gems require different techniques, different lap materials and different polishing compounds. I learned all of this primarily from the book and experimentation and with a lot of calls to the guy who got me started who was 100's of miles away. Have fun.

[@williamthebloody3637]

Mind blowing the detail and work is incredible

[@emerald1one1]

the stealthy touch right through the sensors of skin on hands.. amazing skill lever. thanks for taking the effort to show and post..nice clear specimen you enhanced the respect of the gem quality while many gems are not so clear.. of course no prices ..could do that .yet most couldn't anyway..$ good to see someone having fun with the length time it does take... cheers ..make em sparkle catching that sunny rays.. the world does have amazing gems.. .bye now from a no one.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@dannygartlan1195]

Fair play to ya, some amount of dedication needed to cut a stone like this👍

[@tennpikr74]

what a great job! this is a difficult time consuming cut, ill bet your proud of your self and you have every right to be. thanks for posting it.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you. Yes it took almost a month off and on to cut this gem. Very happy with the end result. I think the next stone I cut will be a lot smaller. Cheers

[@bigfish8280]

Quick question. First of all the finished product is absolutely amazing! I'm no expert, but it seems that you were wasting quite a bit of the original product well grinding down the stone. Couldn't you make some preliminary cuts from the original block this way you would have some smaller pieces left over to work with?

[@VintageTimeGems]

I wasn't sure how many steps on the crown I was going to facet as I made this up as I went along. This gem material "CZ" is not that expensive so a bit of waste is no big deal.

[@JerryGiesler09]

Now that is freaking satisfying, not on the oddly part! 😍

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you

[@idontknowwhatimdoinghere]

I SOOOOO agree!

[@nikitovitch5113]

Would u like to hire someone to help u XD omg am a gemstone collector and am learning how to cut and polish all by myself this is amazing really good work man i was bored and came here to see this amazing art ❤️❤️😍

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks or watching....Cheers

[@TheRedhawke]

Amazing stone and fantastic job faceting it sir.

[@HiHi-vc4es]

The gemston is so beautiful..it looks like dragon's eye..♥♥

[@mikecromwell4245]

Wow that is a beautiful piece you’ve made there.

[@fayeriedust530]

Gem cutting refers to grinding and not cutting; I've been lied to my entire life

[@danthompson1m]

Some stones like diamond have a "cleavage plane" that is indeed cut with a knife and a mallet, hence the term "cutting" for the first stage of the process. But yes, the rest is grinding and polishing.

[@mastertechnician3372]

In lapidary faceting is known as cutting facets. Yes, some stones permit cleavage where crystals are symmetrical and others will shatter with unpredictable results. Stone in this video is one of the latter. Undesired part of material is removed by grinding.

[@tefocharlesmodise9937]

Good one! 😂😂😂😂

[@khaleesi4210]

Very nice met points. Those have always been the trickiest for me.

[@buggsy5]

A large share of gem cutters do not need super high precision, so their faceting machine and dop blocks are not perfectly aligned. When I started using the "Meet Point" faceting technique, I had all sorts of problems until I properly calibrated my equipment.

[@ericarey64]

god that music was horrrrrible .. great work tho

[@davewilliams6172]

Yep...headphones off for this one!

[@idontknowwhatimdoinghere]

I liked the music.

[@homeschoolherd4242]

ikr

[@themidwesternrockhound388]

The music was great!

[@BlvlWmpower]

Music was too good for you, sorry bro.

[@marcushughes2984]

Bloody wonerdful. I am working towards starting up in faceting by doing some desktop research and going through gem designs with software. The time spent will help sav the money for a machine, I hope. Thank's for the great video's.

[@drew856856]

your indeed a master of your craft. Beautiful job

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed the video. Cheers

[@Trainwreck3000]

that's one giant root beer jolly rancher!

[@gabrielg5899]

Bravo, beau travail , magnifique résultat !!

[@rsgolden3566]

Wow, wow! Really great work!

[@xModerax]

So many facettes! This must have been a real time eater. Very well done!

[@joedeardo2855]

I mix my dimond dust in a small pump sprayer with light oil and apply it that way on to the lap.

[@adamtettran7471]

the best quality ever...thanks

[@rikilshah]

That's some master craftsmanship!

[@VintageTimeGems]

Rikil Shah Thank you for you kind comment.

[@janhachicho3373]

Wow real beautiful job,Thank you for sharing the video, was awesome.!

[@Aemni1]

Oh my god that's a portuguese rose cut, that's SUBERB work holy shit.

[@gigisdiamonds]

I just wanted to say how very much I enjoyed watching your work. Beautiful and amazing. And this like everyone here this in one of my favorite cuts. I thought it was going to be a modern brilliant cut with the crown. . I have a small gemstone most likely synthetic, I thought it was a modern brilliant cut. Now I wonder? So many facets just dazzling‼️✨💎✨ Thank you for sharing with us.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you. This was a modified Portuguese cut. I altered many of the crown and pavilion angles as I was faceting it.

[@johnelliott7020]

Wow! This had to have taken a Long time as all big gems do. Nice job Cliff!!!

[@VintageTimeGems]

Yes John. Several months to facet.

[@bakrihassan5683]

I love it it's wonderful you're professional 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@plips71755]

How beautiful a piece from something not that pretty to being with. Just a hunk of transparent rock turned gorgeous.

[@jonmcintire9067]

Killer cut

[@lanchesternaanyane]

Some nice and calming piano music would've been amazing with this video.

[@Indrid__Cold]

You can buy the big gems from the big cutting cities for about $30. This is a lot of work when you consider that the year old in India will do this for the equivalent of a Big Mac.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Some I keep in a display. Some I sell, some I set in a pendant for my wife.

[@JAKEWJONES]

What is it????

[@VintageTimeGems]

JAKE W JONES Cubic Zirconia. CHEERS

[@VintageTimeGems]

Cubic Zirconia.

[@VintageTimeGems]

I would say the first 4-6 months is difficult. If you have patience and your are a perfectionist then you will do well. A good teacher will make the process of learning easier.

[@manfredgomusab4764]

Vintage Time hello,I'm currently cutting n Namibia, any market

[@jeliomir]

Thanks for sharing this video

[@albeon_draken]

You are a far more patient person than I am. The thought of grinding through that much material makes me cringe. I rarely do more than 30ct.

[@Doxymeister]

@Zhemchuzhnikovite Hi, I know this is an old comment, but am hoping for a reply. You are cutting/facing petrified wood for a fireplace? I'm intrigued--is your friend facing the entire fireplace with petrified wood, or just certain parts? That actually sounds beautiful--what a wonderful idea. Is the petrified wood you are using completely agitized? Is he using the Arizona petrified wood--has such gorgeous colors. LOL, sorry for the barrage of questions, it's just such a neat idea. Thanks!

[@cjoemex]

is there a tool to remove large parts of a stone? having to grind and inch seems like a waste. maybe some sort of belt saw. that way there are more usable chunks to use.

[@timjokela3350]

Of course, it can easily be sawn to shape with a diamond blade, but it's manmade CZ, very cheap, no need.

[@ScottRedstone]

Never knew how painstaking it is cutting a gem. Over 500 facets and each requiring multiple passes. How do you keep track of each cut? Doing repetitive work with critical adjustments at each step can lead to error. I sometimes lose track when milling a multi stage work piece using a rotary table. Beautiful work and eye opening for anyone who owns a gem but never knew what it took to cut.

[@michaelpurvis2247]

i had the same question but i think its in the arm that holds the stone, it must be set such that one can't dig too deep, keeps it uniform

[@DeepNorthAdventures]

Intense! But definitely beautiful!

[@CompetentSalesUSA]

Nice work! Music is great

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks.

[@verafernandes632]

Ficou lindo .Parece diamante. Desse tamanho imagine o valor que alcançaria. 🧡👏🤩😷🇧🇷

[@yoopermann7942]

that gem would look great in my display case, no one would belive its real, because i have a well known history of buying fake/counterfeit art, who would have thought of a 335ct. gem? its just beautiful,, love that music it sure would drive a lot people crazy, thank you for the video

[@aidairis2996]

NOSSA!!!! QUE ESPETACULO!!! BELÍSSIMA!!! PARABENS A VC QUE FEZ ESSE TRABALHO LINDOOOO! LAPIDAR!!! MIL PARABENS QUE DOM LINDO QUE VC TEM!!! DEUS ABENÇOE MUITO VC.

[@charlesteune6416]

Awesome job

[@massimoginepri3185]

Great video great Stone great cut !!!!!

[@charlesmcdermott6139]

This is a magnificent stone and it was interesting to see the great amount of labor that went into making it so lovely. Get rid of that awful music though. I had to silence it before it drove me mad!

[@superoutchthathurt]

i wish this guy was my next door neighbor

[@ashkalwaalwanoptics]

truly amazing

[@christinakauffman4741]

What does amazing talent just beautiful simply amazing

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you so much 😀

[@peymanali922]

Beautiful!

[@mhaight]

Hypnotizing.

[@vaddemanswami4654]

Mathew Haight

[@bassmanbilly1969]

Love your videos. Very Fascinating to watch. Gem cutting and faceting skills are phenomenal. I only would suggest that the music you use,could possibly use longer clips, less repetition. Great Job Though. I am Inspired. !!!!!

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks...I have changed up the music since this video. It's hard with copyright these days.

[@susannesamuelsson2930]

Beautiful indeed! ❤

[@gladsondossantosvalente1038]

wow that's a great job!!! is zirconia made in laboratory?

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks...I believe it is lab created.

[@loukitty9117]

Beautiful

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks Sarah.

[@whoseeswho]

amazing work!

[@VoiceofHunza]

very nice

[@boriserjavec6470]

That's amazing!

[@CarolynDenison]

Nice job!

[@valdirkuster2917]

A arte não pode ser monopolizada, ou ficar escondida entre quatro paredes. Vamos por a arte no olho da rua. É isso mesmo, parabéns é um excelente trabalho é um primoroso acabamento.........................

[@jccrafts6366]

How much was the equipment for polishing? I am amazed with its perfection.. Hope I can afford one.

[@charadremur333]

Around a grand bot this gem was a 6.7 thousand dollar gem if i am right

[@irgemsjewelry5158]

i have gems www.irgemsjewelry.com

[@Endermore]

Beautiful work! That looks like an amber quartz -- what gem is it?

[@joedeardo2855]

Endermore if I'm correct I believe it's a CZ. Please tell me if I'm wrong! I have cut lots of CZ and that's what it looks like to me. Its to perfect in color and quality to have been quartz.

[@user-km7wo9hd2b]

CZ

[@parameswarar2]

It looks like an Imperial Topaz.

[@idontknowwhatimdoinghere]

It looks more of a Citrine than either a Cubic Zirconia or an Imperial Topaz

[@Jean-qu3ru]

Absolutely spectacular work! What do you do with your stones once you cut them?

[@1981bessa]

great job

[@marioribeirodeazevedoneto311]

Divino, wonderful, maravilhoso! Congratulation, parabéns!

[@whome7004]

That was A Job Done with Skills I want

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thank you.

[@divineintervention101]

holy crap. hard work!

[@slwaves8784]

weight loss more than 1800ct. ( Before 2157ct / After 335ct)

[@jamesmclaughlinprimitivele4587]

right, don't know why large chunks of waste would not have been cut off in slabs

[@cameronflack2254]

84.4 percent waste

[@vaghanmikaelian1923]

@@cameronflack2254 He cut off a lot, normally the waste is around 55%-60% but he wanted a specific cut and that is why it weighed less. For more expensive stones you need to find the balance between what cut will give you the best clarity, color, and carat weight and their are computer programs that will help do this

[@cameronflack2254]

@@vaghanmikaelian1923 trust me, i understand. As a knife makers, when I dont forge it, i use stock removal, and both methods have a lot of material removal. Its not really "waste" because its part of the process.

[@alexdibosco]

@@cameronflack2254 cameron whit the gemstone is different.. normaly you cut of the inclusion and start to preform, but whit big stone if you whant only a small gem you cut the part you don't need and make different gem, he don't care to waste almost all the pice.. but whit a real gemstone of this size a normal cutter cut of big part and made more gem or one big geme whitout loss al this material.. cut in this way for a gemstone is like kill one pig and take only the ribs and trow away all the rest.. this "gem" is too big and too clear and also is already cut on top.. or is sintetic or is a tipe of glass.. very cheap stuff

[@slymetube]

I wonder how long that process takes so much patience

[@rtgoxlv3003]

I dont know why i like to see this

[@dakotasrocks]

I am homered to be your 8000th subscriber! I love ya or videos and I can’t wait for more of your amazing content! The stones you make are absolutely beautiful! Keep up the great work.

[@VintageTimeGems]

Thanks....Glad you enjoyed this video. I had some fun cutting this gem. It took ages. Cheers

[@haikim7268]

Carat very big and clours beautyful .Artist cut very exelent. Thank you for watched video clip.

[@cricketcricket9749]

Gorgeous!

[@nicechoicee]

If I could I'd buy that gem and just observe it all day long. Pass it down as a family heirloom too

[@kolhannewsjharkhand]

Hi I am from India. Nice cutting vedio. Please quarts crystal cut vedio upload

[@artinkodavande-hl1ts]

Thank you 👍👍👍👍👍👍