Since ancient times, the art of gem cutting has been passed down orally. In workshops, the student learns from their master, shoulder to shoulder, letting the grinding wheel 'sing' to better guide their gestures. 

Over the centuries, cutting techniques have evolved. The Historic Teachings of Gemcutting, the result of extensive research by gem cutters Justin K Prim and Victoria Raynaud, traces this history. 

This book brings together 50 never-before-published gemstone cut designs, accompanied by color photographs, details on their design, practical advice, and their historical context, covering over 600 years of the evolution of faceted cutting.