Finewater Gems

My colorless synthetic sapphire was awarded 3rd prize in the annual United States Faceters Guild competition, where I earned the coveted "Master" designation. Other competition cutters cut multiple stones or spend hundreds of hours to get one stone good enough to enter, but mine was completed in a single weekend using my standard cutting techniques.

 Jewelry Artist and Colored Stone magazine awarded second place in the Faceted Gems category for my 27.93 ct cinnamon zircon.

The United States Faceters Guild sponsors an annual contest for faceters around the world. There are several categories - Novice to Grand Master - and competitors in each cut a different design typically in synthetic materials.  My entry (tanzanite-colored YAG) was awarded 3rd prize.

Every year, Jewelry Artist and Colored Stone magazine has a global gem artist competition. My first entry in 2008 was a natural citrine (21.2mm, 38.1 carats), for which I was awarded second place.