Lapidary
Recutting, repolishing and recalibration — weight traded deliberately for refraction return, with the finished weight agreed before the stone meets the wheel.
A stone that reads well on paper can still disappoint in the hand — a window through the pavilion, extinction across the table, a chipped girdle inherited from a previous setting. Cutting is how those faults are corrected, and how weight is traded, deliberately, for beauty.
Our lapidary service offers precision cutting, re-cutting, and polishing for emeralds, rubies, sapphires, and all coloured gemstones. From rough material to finished brilliance, our skilled craftsmen cut each stone with meticulous attention to detail—maximising its colour, clarity, optical performance, and carat weight. Whether for fine jewellery, restoration, or investment-grade acquisition, we deliver exceptional craftsmanship that reveals the true beauty of every stone.
What's included
Assessment & modelling
Orientation to colour zoning, inclusion mapping, and a predicted finished weight with a proposed outline before any material is removed.
Recutting & repolishing
Window and extinction correction, chip and abrasion removal, and full repolishing to restore lustre on stones dulled by wear.
Recalibration
Adjustment to a specific millimetre size where a stone must fit an existing mount, or where a matched pair must agree.
Post-cut handling
Re-enhancement where appropriate, and insured routing to the certifier of your choice so the new weight and dimensions are documented.
The process
Four stages, one working week
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01
Consultation
We examine the stone and agree an objective: correct a fault, improve light return, or recalibrate to a setting. Each pulls the finished weight in a different direction.
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02
Proposal
A written or verbal proposal with a predicted finished weight, the outline we intend to cut to, and a fixed quotation. Nothing proceeds without your approval of the projected weight loss.
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03
The wheel
Cutting proceeds in stages, with the stone reassessed between passes.
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04
Finishing
Repolishing, a final quality check by our gemmologists, optional re-enhancement service, and insured return — with before-and-after weights and images documented throughout.
Frequently asked
How much weight will I lose?
It depends entirely on the fault being corrected. A repolish to restore lustre may cost under two percent (depending on the stone); correcting a deep window or removing a girdle chip can cost considerably more. We predict the finished weight in writing before you commit.
Is recutting ever a mistake?
Yes — and we will tell you when we think so. Recutting a stone that sits just above a significant weight threshold can cost more in value than the improvement returns. Where that is the case, our advice is to leave it alone.
Can a chipped emerald be saved?
Usually. Girdle and corner chips are the most common damage we see, and most can be cut away with modest weight loss. We assess whether the fissure network allows it before quoting.