Where to Learn Gemstone Cutting

Gemstone cutters enjoy this craft as a hobby but sometimes can get good jobs as a jeweler in jewelry shops or manufacturing plants. There are several organizations with classes around the United States you can use to learn gemstone cutting.

Start your search for training classes by going to the website of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies. This organization has several regional organizations that are made up of gem, mineral, and lapidary societies. This group includes the California Federation of Mineralogical Societies and the Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies. It also includes five other societies. Look in the Resources section at the bottom of this article to see links to all of these regional gem, mineral, and lapidary organizations.

These lapidary organizations are the ones that generally sponsor training courses for current or aspiring lapidaries (gem cutters). As an aside, you may also use this information to find classes on diamond cutting, stone cutting, and other jewelry specialties.

Once you get to each regional federation website, there is usually a link for “Clubs” or “Member Clubs.” If not, just look for a list of links. These clubs are the lapidary societies that conduct classes on gemstone cutting. Some of the regional federations may also have their own classes, so check the websites while you are there. All the federations have conferences or club shows that may or may not have training courses.

An example of a local organization that conducts classes on gemstone cutting and other skills is the Canaveral Mineral and Gem Society. You can view the website to see examples of the jewelry classes you can take through this local society. Not all local clubs have a website or classes, but you can find out on each regional federation’s website where to look for gem-cutting classes in other areas, as well.

Resources:

California Federation of Mineralogical Societies

Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies

Midwest Federation Of Mineralogical and Geological Societies

Northwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies

Rocky Mountain Federation of Mineralogical Societies

South Central Federation of Mineral Societies

Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies


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