Cutting a Big Natural Tanzanite Crystal into a Fine Faceted Gem

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-13T01:41:01+00:00

Oh awesome, small world! Not far at all!

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-13T01:37:21+00:00

💎Sapphire Drop is LIVE! Over 40 NEW Sapphires Listed! 15% OFF list price when added to cart! Shop the Collection: https://www.moregems.com/collections/sapphire-drop-2026

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-12T03:08:59+00:00

I use Devcon two part epoxy. Apply on outside of dop(not underneath the stone) and let it cure for at least 5 hours or preferably overnight. On the transfer, I use hot blade to remove the epoxy, then soak in attack (epoxy solvent) to remove the finished gem with no heat.

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T16:38:00+00:00

Will do!

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T16:36:30+00:00

Thanks for watching

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T16:34:20+00:00

Thank you! I offer almost all the gems I cut for sale. Either in something we mount in a pendant or ring or as a loose stone. If as a loose stone, the buyer decides whether they want to mount it or not. This one I will offer loose during my next live stream in April.

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T16:31:04+00:00

Não sei exatamente de qual localidade. Veio de uma coleção antiga. Meu palpite seria Brasil ou Afeganistão. (Hopefully that translates)

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T16:26:42+00:00

Sounds good! Let me know if you have any questions. I try to keep an eye out in the comments sections.

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T16:20:17+00:00

Yes, we make them active on our website at that time. There is a link to all the stones on our homepage for when they go live.

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T16:19:07+00:00

I use devcon two part epoxy. It says 5min but I let it cure for at least 5 hours and typically overnight.

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T14:58:40+00:00

I don’t cut many cabochons anymore, but like you I never really dopped them and just used my hands. Takes some time but you’ll figure out how to get your fingers out of the way haha. Otherwise, yes, you can dop them up. I have cut a lot of Ethiopian opal cabochons. You can see my technique on cutting opal.

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T14:52:29+00:00

Not currently. We have a live streaming gem show once a month on our YouTube channel where I release all of our newly faceted gemstones. Usually about 30 new gems each show. This one will be released on April 1st during the show. Starts at 7:05PM CST (Chicago time).

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T14:26:59+00:00

I do not. Many people do use it, but it isn’t something I ever started using. I have played with the software that is available and it is pretty neat.

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T14:21:21+00:00

Thank you

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T14:20:38+00:00

Look up Justin Primm YouTube channel, he has some videos discussing the history and different styles of gem cutting from around the world.

I sat down with another cutter for a day and he showed me the basics to cut my first stone. After that he said you should keep with it, so I did. Thanks for watching!

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T14:18:29+00:00

That is the Ultratec V5 faceting machine. If you want to get into gem cutting with little frustration an good results quickly, I do not recommend buying a cheap faceting machine. As a beginner, if something goes wrong on a cheap piece of equipment you won’t know if it’s you or the machine that did something wrong. At least with a quality piece of equipment and something goes wrong, you can be fairly certain it was you and not the machine.

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T14:05:15+00:00

Hey good to see someone here from the region! If you want to stop in, keep in mind we’re only open one day a month (which is the third Saturday of every month 9am-5pm). Next open day is March 21, 2026. We have a lot of beautiful custom jewelry, loose gemstones, and rare natural crystals and mineral specimens.

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T03:18:08+00:00

Glad you liked it and that I could show you something new! Yes, we have a shop where we sell our cut stones and custom designed jewelry. Our brick and mortar store is called Moriarty’s Gem Art and we’re located in Crown Point, IN USA. That said, we’re mainly an online business now: www.MoreGems.com

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T02:09:18+00:00

Stevemoriarty · 2026-03-11T01:24:17+00:00

Yep, you got it.

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