Video Tutorials


How a Gem's Cut Influences Its Price & Value


Even many professional gem buyers do not realize how much a gem's cut can influence what it is really worth. This video shows the rational behind a different method of evaluating gemstones and helps you to be able to recognize many of the common problems in mediocre gemstone cutting. Once you watch this video you will be far more equipped to make an educated decision about which is the best gem for your money.

How to Cut Gemstones by John Dyer


Good cutting requires experience, creativity and modern machinery. We at John Dyer & Co. employ the latest technology to bring you a superior gem. Many cutters overseas use a rather crude method of cutting. They simply glue the gemstone to a stick and hold it to a grinding wheel using very rudimentary machinery. Such methods cannot consistently produce beautiful gems. We use only modern, accurate faceting machines. We employ gem cutters who know how to bring the best out of a piece of rough. As much as possible, we try to cut our gemstones without internal flaws or inclusions. This guarantees that you will have a gemstone of which you can be proud.


How to Distinguish Between Good and Bad Gemstone Faceting by John Dyer



This is a short tutorial made by gemstone artist John Dyer explaining the difference between good faceting and bad gem cutting. Red flags such as windowed or fish eye gemstones, crooked girdles, scratchy poor polish, and facets that don't meet are pointed out and explained.

Interested in faceting? Check out John's faceting tips!

Rough Grinding Bolivian Ametrine


Good gem cutting requires experience, creativity and modern machinery. Here we share part of the process to help you understand just how much work is involved in transforming gemstones from the original rough to something which can be faceted.

This video about grinding Bolivian Ametrine rough shows one of our processes before the final cutting and polishing of our beautiful gemstones. This first process is grinding the rough clean in preparation for the final orientation of color, preforming and then finally faceting and polishing. This grinding is a long process during which we tried to condense the video as much as possible so you could see how much work goes into creating our beautiful gems but not still have to wait through all the slow parts.

We try to cut our gemstones without significant internal flaws or inclusions and this initial process of grinding the rough is a big part of that effort. This guarantees that when you purchase one of our gems you will have a gemstone of which you can be proud.



Silver Spot Iolite


This is another short tutorial made by gemstone artist John Dyer. In it he talks about a rare and rather spectacular variety of Iolite...Which we call "Silver Spot Iolite" due to its silvery inclusions. As of June 1st you will be able to see some Silver Spot Iolites in our online catalog.
Gemstones for sale, buy beautifully cut gemstones in our online catalog
Buy gemstones cut by John Dyer & Co. from our large online catalog of fantasy and precision cut gems.

Go Back | Main Catalog

Copyright © John Dyer/Precious Gemstones Inc.

We cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. This website and its contents are copyrighted for the exclusive use of our customers, all other use is prohibited.

Read our privacy policy.