About

Lapidary, the art of cutting and polishing stones, is both a precise technical process and a deeply creative craft. This site was created to make it more accessible to anyone who wants to learn and improve.

Patrick Dubuc USFG Grand Master

Léandre Dubuc Founder

Learned by hand, passed down directly

My journey into lapidary started through my father, Patrick Dubuc, who taught me the techniques he developed over years of dedication to the craft. In 2015, after more than seven years of self-teaching and continuous improvement, he won first place in the Grand Master class of the U.S. Faceters Guild (USFG) competition. Since then, he has worked with private clients and contributed to a jewelry school in France.

His approach focuses on precision, creativity, and constant refinement. Rather than relying on expensive equipment, he developed his own techniques to achieve high-quality results through method and discipline. His work is known for its distinctive use of light and reflection, while maintaining a strong classical influence. He cuts on a Raytech Shaw faceting machine, and his competition record, below, reflects that progression.

Why this site exists

I have personally applied these techniques by cutting several stones myself, which led me to develop a deep interest in lapidary. The core method comes from my father’s practice, and the guides on this site share it step by step.

Lapidary is not just a hobby. For some it becomes a true passion, for others a meaningful side project or even a source of income. Many gemstones found in standard jewelry are not cut to their full potential, which limits their brilliance. With attention to detail and a solid understanding of the fundamentals, it is possible to produce results that stand out. Beyond the technical side, transforming a rough stone into a finished gem brings a real sense of accomplishment.

Where to begin