Cutting service
WARNING
Before you begin any submission for a cutting service, please read the disclaimer below carefully.
As a precision cutter, my philosophy is to highlight the beauty of the stone by prioritizing its aesthetics over its weight. In this sense, I always prioritize obtaining the most magnificent stone possible before trying to preserve as much weight as possible. This does not prevent me from advising you on the most optimal cut so that you obtain a product that is both aesthetically pleasing and maximizes the rough stone you own. I do not do standardized commercial-type cuts, as I believe they are too unoriginal and unoptimized. I also do not take large bulk orders. If these conditions suit you, then I will be happy to work with you to realize your project!
Why choose an independent cutter over a typical jeweler?
If you take the time to go to a jeweler and look at the stones offered under a magnifying glass, you will quickly realize that the quality of the stone, which looked acceptable quickly to the naked eye, is not optimal with a quick cut and polishing often carried out with a 14000 grit. As an independent cutter, I offer a stone of almost perfect geometry thanks to my polishing carried out with a 60000 grit and more. When put side by side, the lack of quality of a jewelry stone, in comparison with a stone cut in my workshop, is easily observable.
What happens if there is a breakage?
Rough stones are natural products that contain imperfections such as flaws that can cause unintentional breakage during faceting. If this happens, I will contact the client immediately to determine the next steps. Following this discussion, several options will be possible:
Option 1: Abandoning the cut. In this case, the leftovers will be returned to the customer with free shipping (deposit not refunded).
Option 2: Continued cutting. If continued cutting is possible, the time spent on the stone up to the time of breakage would be charged at 50%.
How much weight loss should I expect after cutting for a rough stone?
As a general rule, when cutting, one should expect that approximately 75% of the rough stone's weight will be lost. This result can obviously vary depending on the customer's choice of shape and/or cut.
Please consider these potential risks before moving forward with a cutting service quote.
PRICING
Pre-cut consultations are free. It is during these consultations that I will be able to assess whether it will be possible for me to cut your stone. It is always preferable that I see the stone in person so that I can better advise you on the possibilities available to you for the cut (shipping is at the customer's expense). However, it is always possible to proceed virtually by sending photos by email, but in this case, no guarantee will be given regarding the estimate before the stone is in my hands and I can examine it. If you choose this second option, several photos from several different angles will be required. These photos should preferably be taken in natural light if the stone has good transparency. In the case where the stone is opaque, you will need to use a strong light source (such as a cell phone) which will be placed under the stone, so as to bring out its color and to allow me to see through it. You can send the photos taken as well as as much information as possible (type of stone, origin, dimensions, weight) to the following email address: info@facetart.com
A minimum deposit of $50 (non-refundable and credited to the final invoice) will be required before any cutting process begins. However, it is possible that the deposit may be revised upwards if you do not have the desired rough stone and I must arrange for it. In this case, the stone will be sourced from one of my many international distributors.
My rate for cutting time is $50/hour. On average, it takes 4.5 hours per stone to cut. This time can vary depending on the size and hardness of the stone as well as the complexity of the desired cut.
A minimum of $100 will be charged for labor per cut stone.
MANUFACTURING TIMES
Please allow 2 to 12 weeks for a cutting service, depending on the volume. A more precise estimate of the required time will be provided to you upon submission.
PAYMENT DEADLINES
Once the stone has been cut, you will be emailed an invoice. The invoice amount will reflect the remaining amount due for the cutting service (the deposit will have been previously deducted from the total amount). You will have 45 days from the receipt of the invoice to pay the required amount. After this period, in the event of non-payment, Facet'Art reserves the right to offer the cut stone for sale on its website.
For any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at: info@facetart.com