How do I cut my own gemstones? Answer: If you want to cut hard gemstones, use a faceting machine like a hand-held Dremel. If you want to cut a soft-gem like a pearl or amber, you can use sandpaper and cut it by hand as discussed in this article.

If you are working with an amethyst crystal, for example, you will need to first clean it and remove any dirt or debris from the surface. You can then use a saw or other cutting tool to shape the rough stone into a more manageable size and shape.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to cut a gemstone with a Dremel: Equipment: Cordless Dremel – with cutting attachments; Bench vice or clamp; Fine tip marker; Method: Use a fine tip marker to draw your desired shape onto your gemstone.

Cut the first two crown break facets at indexes 94 and 2. Lower the head as needed until the crown break facets create a level girdle and come together in the center. Then, cut the remainder of the sequence, checking your progress regularly.

 — Key Takeaways: The Mining Process: Extracting Amethyst from the Earth. Different Mining Methods for Amethyst. Sorting and Cleaning Amethyst Crystals. Cutting and Shaping Amethyst Gemstones. Heat Treatment and Enhancement. The Polishing and Finishing of Amethyst Gemstones. The Value of Amethyst: Factors Affecting Quality and …

 — I'm looking for ideas on how to cut small raw gemstones (1" or less in diameter) in half without damaging the crystals and preferably without spending hundreds on a lapidary saw. I've been told tile saws and dremels aren't appropriate for …

The starting point for cutting a gem is, of course, the rough. This particular stone is a piece of amethyst from Brazil that I purchased some years ago. The amethyst miners actually take the rough crystals of amethyst and strike it with hammers to knock off the flawed portions of the stone.

 — My solution to a finer grind is to use an onyx bead with 1200-grit paste. A 6mm bead is the same size as the grinding burs, with the bonus of a centered hole. Take a dulled 1mm engraving bur and jam it into the bead.

 — To cut hard gems, use a faceting machine to grind them into the shape you want. If the gems are softer, like pearl or amber, you can use sandpaper and water to shape the gem. When picking a shape for your gemstone, choose one that's similar to the current shape of the stone so you don't waste a lot of it.

 — Lapidaries cut small, shallow incisions, called kerfs, about an inch deep into a rough stone as a starting point. Then, a chisel or cutting tool stabilizes into the kerf, enabling the lapidary to slam the tool with the rock hammer.