Hello,
We are in need of precision cutters for our Gemstones. Looking for qualified cutters with reasonable pricing in the $1-5 per ct range. We have a lot of work to offer.
Just a quick note - that pricing is reasonable for you, not for a qualified precision cutter. There are bulk commercial cutters available for volume work in that price range, however.
Hello,
Yes I have a steady flow of work needing to be done. Not just a few stones. Also they are larger in size. I just threw the numbers out there as a starting point. Let me know if you want more info.
Numbers are starting point cutters.
Precision cutters expect 35% higher per cut.
Inflation is 3 digit in USA and most unwilling to do cutting as bargain prices. Premium inflation in USA expect premium growth demand on trade experience.
I had rough sapphire materials via Africa let go for $40 for around 4 pounds — cutters are expensive in USA.
Elsewhere maybe lower.
Not even listening to proposals beneath them.
Want cash up front with guaranteed payments.
Cutter started out asked about items.
Sold material at my cost. Break even better than in hole.
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Yes, there is a major disconnect in cutters wanting way more than they are worth and the reality everywhere else in the world. The fact is cutting is not something that should ever come close to the actual value of the finished stone. The cutter is never worth that much. Greedy cutters in the US try to present themselves as if they are what created the value in the stone. It’s not rocket science and once you’ve been cutting for any length of time anyone can do the same with practice. They value their services way to high. Every cutter wants to be seen as an artist that wants more than they should get. The fact is they didn’t make the stone, the art has already been done by God. I’ve talked with all the big names in the US and I’ve come to the same conclusion with them all… Their Ego has removed them from my business. Since this post I flew back to New York to meet with a Brazilian colored stone cutter, 45 years in the business. He has me sit in his studio while he’s cutting so I can see exactly what is happening with my stones…and guess what this master cutter isn’t charging me those crazy prices like the rest of the wishful thinkers. And because of this he has secured the next 10 years of my business where he will cut large high end stones. And man is he efficient and with precision outcomes. Now don’t get me wrong there are some amazing cutters out there but lol their heads are in the clouds. Lol not paying someone 200-1000 per ct for a finished 50ct stone lol do the math on that…and why do they think they are worth that??? There is nothing they can say or show that would warrant me ever giving them my business. Just what I’ve seen with cutters in the US maybe I’m wrong and haven’t talked with enough Faceters but pretty discouraging. Eventually we are going to build a studio and hire a couple cutters full time. In house is the way to go long term.
I decided to teach faceting using my rough material to new cutters who desire to learn trade.
Most like bargains.
I simply match people with need.
I do not make tons of money but if I break even I am content.
I broke even on materials. The cutters started learning craft. Teaching others is what I prefer.
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You sound like a great guy to work with. We are always looking to network with people like yourself. If you ever need some material for teaching I’ll give you some for that purpose free of charge. I won’t be able to do mass amounts but enough to help. Also at the same time we do value the work of those in business with us and we always want to make sure everyone is happy and well taken care of. We do not want to take advantage ourselves either, we are very giving people and feel the need to be fair all around as I believe this is why our businesses have thrived over the years. Clear communication and always doing and living by what we say and the rest falls into place from there. Looking forward to speaking with you more Michael as we love bringing together those of honest intentions with a real desire for not just their own growth, but those around them as well. Great talking with you.
Our club is the Palomar Gemological & Mineral Club of Escondido formed over 70+ years ago we struggle to find supporters & members. Our event to raise funds in August 21, 2026 set up day; Saturday August 22, 2026 from 10 am until 5 pm and Sunday August 23, 2026 is our annual event to raise funds for our non profit group where we provide Labratory shop with equipment for members useage.
Charge is $10 for 3 hours of use per member.
Might need to raise amount soon as with inflation our costs exceed income.
I am doing cash deposits for club expenses for treasurer.
We try to share space with as many members as possible.
If we can get members to use shop.
Shop can handle 5 members hourly with staff volunteer. Silver classes typically sell out prior.
Faceting classes still need to be filled.
Last instructor passed away last year and had students fly in from across nation booked solid years in advance until his death. He also taught at GIA.
He taught all teachers at our club.
Except me. I learnt via hands on watching others never had Instruction.
My background was procurement for military applications globally so I have knowledge of outsourcing data in my limited capacity & brain damage. I try to facilitate members needs such as specific tasks matched with materials needed toward desired results.
I buy bulk materials when given opportunities.
In 2024 obtained 10,000 + gems from Asia, Africa, Europe, South America, Across USA, and South Antarctica.
I went shopping and spent $20,000 on faceted gemstones globally sourced.
My average being $2 gem.
Not a bad amount in past 2 years still hold 8 full trays.
1.5 trays Ruby
1 tray Diamond
1 tray purple spinel/alexandrites; zoisite;
1 tray imperial topaz
1 tray tourmalines
Mixture of all others in remaining mixture of trays.
Trying to get organized is not easy when I am not organized to begin with.
I was a supply clerk in Navy and obtained supplies for operational needs as often as needed.
I simply know how to contact mines directly.
My great grandfather owned multiple mines globally and I inherited his estate when born.
I contacted contacts explained my goal.
They asked what I desired.
They sent me invoices mostly for shipping costs and for 40+ Rubies from 8+ carat up to 11.85 carat cushion cut yes they were heat treated from Burma but all coming out of Burma must be heat treated.
Reason a trade secret.
For public safety.
Most unaware of issues.
I visited Thialand years ago in 1988.
My great grandfather visited 1874.
I happen to
Love Ruby I paid $550 for 45 or so gems from mine.
Mostly covered shipping charges.
Import costs.
Part of my private collection.
I sell some occasionally to raise money for club need.
Last year club short $4,600 sold 3 — 10 + carat Ruby for $3,000 reduced debt of club by bit. When club needs more I sell more of my collection when needed.
My great grandfather was King Edward;
His estate became mine 1973.
I try to support activities for elderly & disabled & veterans. I provide Grants for gemology courses on occasion. Only sell from my collection when absolute necessity requires.
I have 8 trays of gems already faceted.
Largest 80+ carat Kunzite amazing catch.
No Customers.
I only have events to raise money for club, raise $ for veterans art supplies, raise & for disabled others like myself. On occasion sell pink diamonds rarely.
I am a long time hobby cutter in the US. I have bought a fair amount of rough and went down the road of finding cutters as you are doing. I have friends who cut commercially, their own rough or stones sent to them. The going rate for precision cutters in the USA now is about $150 per ring sized 3 to 5 ct stone. There are add on charges for larger stones which take longer to cut. Charges appear to be about the same no matter whether the stone is a $50 to $200/ct tourmaline or a $500 to $2000/ct sapphire. This is reasonable for US cutters. It takes about 3-4 hours to cut a precision cut stone. By precision cut I mean well polished without visible scratches and meets well made when seen at 5X, which is about the magnification you get when taking a picture of a stone to show on line. $1/ct is just not available, even in Thailand or Sri Lanka. You might get cutting house cutters for about $3/ct, but there are 30 to 90 day turn around times and postage both ways and sometimes duties to deal with, so to get close to $5/ct total, you would have to send big parcels of stones. Some of the cutting houses will do their version of precision cutting at about $6.50/ct plus the shipping and duties. I doubt that you are going to get really good cutting at the base price of $3.50/ct. Also, you have to bear in mind that the cutters are cutting 10 to 20 stones per day, so they rely on simple round and emerald cuts or cushion cuts or ovals that they know well. They also go quickly, so they are not spending a lot of time figuring out how to get best yield. they are not going to cut your sliver into a marquee, it will be a small oval or get sent back to you as a reject. You would probably get, overall, about 20% yield, maybe a little better on some stones. Some will take direction if you have someone in your office to tell them what designs to cut and to mark where to dop to put the table to increase yield. But then you have to pay that guy, too. However, the precision cutter in the USA will try to get 30 to 35% yield when that is possible and can probably produce a custom cut with more facets or with a unique design and that adds value. If you have a lot of mid-value peridot or tourmaline to cut and it doesn’t have to be perfect, the cutting houses may work for you. If you are cutting good quality sapphire, and your cutting house guy gets 2.5 cts out of your 10 ct rough at $500/ct and your USA custom cutter can get 30%, he’s produced an extra half a carat and an extra $250 for you just on weight, without considering appearance, so you can afford his $150 fee and you won’t pay much shipping or any duties. So you really have to run the numbers and have some experience in what these various cutters can produce. I suggest you look for cutters in Sri Lanka or Thailand and see what they will charge you and then send them a parcel or two and see how they do.
You need to be aware that the cutting houses are busy and they won’t come looking for your business much. You will have to go to them and see who will actually communicate with you before you start sending them rough. I found it was hard to get much out of them. It was, yeah, we can do it, send us the stones. You don’t have a lot of recourse if you don’t like what they do unless you are a big customer sending them a lot of rough. See if you can find people sending a lot of rough overseas and talk to them about their experience. Some of them do have pet cutters who do good work and don’t charge too much, but that is rare and sometimes they will not share their contacts. Why should they? It might have taken them five trips to Sri Lanka to find their guy and develop a personal relationship with him. Good luck and let us know when you find that guy who will do USA level precision cutting for $20/ct and get you 35% average yield. I know that guy, it’s me when I cut my rough. Nobody else. -royjohn
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Yeah, this thread is wild. If it takes 4 hours of labor to complete a 1 ct stone with a relatively simple cut, how much should that cost? $5 was the upper end of the initial range. So, $1.25/hr? Prisoners are paid better wages. What about $5/hr? That’d be substantially less than minimum wage and would amount to $20 for that 1 ct stone. Calling this greedy is just a wild disconnect from reality. A skilled person working for you for $20/hr is quite low in this market. That’d be $80 for your 1ct stone. It doesn’t sweeten the pot to say that you have a lot of work. There’s a lot of work out there from sources who are willing to pay actually reasonable rates. The offer of lots of bizarrely underpaid work isn’t an enticement. You can’t make up for losing money by doing lots of it.
Hi Jason,
I think we are about agreed on most of this. Several things to consider. The machine itself and the accessories (laps, dopping wax, magnifiers, etc;) costs $5000 for a pro setup. You have to learn to cut, which takes hours. Maybe 100 to 500 hours to become proficient. Not everyone has the skills for this, so there’s native talent involved. A good cutter should probably have proficiency in one of the computer programs for designs, too, which takes more time. Some knowledge of gemology is needed, so there’s hours of study on that.
Beyond all of that, it takes the average cutter 3 to 4 hours on a stone of 3 to 5 carats and an average design. Some cutters become very familiar with their pet designs and might do one in 2 hours or so, but, there again, you’re paying for that expertise and education. In the US, if you use a US cutter, you’re paying for the fact that you can ship easily and cheaply and get the stone back quickly, too.
Given that the cutter has to receive the gem, examine it and determine the cut, cut the stone, clean it up and put it into a case and package and ship it back to you, I think he’s got about 3 to 4 hours in it, so he’s maxing out at $50/hr. That’s a good rate, but if you’re cutting high end stones, it is worth it, as I noted in my email. Some of these guys can design custom cuts for you which maximize yield, and that pays for itself. I would not trust my corundum, spinel, or other high value stuff to some overseas cutter unless I really knew their bona fides and the good ones overseas will not work for under $10/ct, if that low. I have used a guy in Kenya who is very good, but he’s $50 per stone and there are shipping fees and duties to add to that. -royjohn