gem cuttingThe Art of Gem Cutting
I don’t begin with a finished gemstone. I begin with what the rough stone might become. As a gem cutter and lapidary artist, I work with each stone individually, shaping its natural colour, character and potential.
the rough stoneEvery rough gemstone has its own story
I regularly return to Queensland to hand-pick rough Australian sapphires and, over the years, I’ve built close, personal relationships with independent miners, giving me access to some of the rarest and most exceptional sapphires available.
Back in my studios in London and Devon, I hand-cut and polish each stone myself. I take the time to understand the character of every sapphire, carefully working with its natural colour, inclusions and form to reveal its individual beauty.
That connection — from the mines where the stones are found to the finished gem — is at the heart of my work. It allows me to create truly one-of-a-kind jewellery that celebrates the exceptional character and beauty of Australian sapphires.
CUT BY HANDFrom rough gemstone to finished stone, every cut is considered individually
THE ART OF THE CUTThe art of freeform gem cutting
I don’t begin with a predetermined shape. I begin with the stone.
Each piece of rough gemstone has its own character, colour and potential, and I develop the cut around what I find within it. My freeform shapes allow me to work with the natural qualities of the stone rather than forcing it into a conventional form.
I hand-cut and polish every stone myself, making decisions throughout the process to bring out its individual character, depth and light.
The result is a cut that is entirely its own, shaped by the stone, rather than imposed upon it.
THE LIGHTThe cut is there to reveal the colour
From gem
To jewel
“Mark cuts sapphires to display the natural beauty of yellow-, green- and part-coloured gemstones, which have not been tampered with by man.”
- Joanna Hardy, British Fine Jewellery Specialist for The Goldsmith’s Review