Recorded WebinarsDec 11, 2020
Watch: Three American Lapidaries Talk Trends and Today’s MarketSourcingJan 25, 2022
Virtu Gem Launches National Gem Cutting Course in 3 Countries
The aim is to create jobs, a value-add proposition, a differentiated product, and national pride through country-specific cuts.
The Virtu Gem National Gem Cut program has engaged cutting schools in three countries to help provide resources to students. (Photo credit: Virtu Gem)
New York—Since launching as a marketplace to connect ASM miners with buyers during the pandemic, Virtu Gem has expanded its efforts to bring equity to the colored stone sector.
It has already created a few gem cutting programs designed to help women in the trade learn the skill.
Now, it’s again targeting faceting with an online course to design specialty gemstone cuts for Virtu Gem partner countries.
The aim is to create more jobs as well as provide a value-add proposition for these countries through an innovative product unlike others found on the market.
The Nomad Jeweler’s Jessica Hudson and Susan Wheeler, designer and founder of The Responsible Jewelry Transformative, said they already enlisted Adriano Mol, head of the Center for Gemstone and Jewelry Design at the University of Minas Gerais State, for workshops to encourage more diverse cuts.
After an initial positive response, they decided to expand it to create the National Gem Cut Course.
Supported by the World Bank, the new class sets a unique goal: to collaboratively create a national gemstone cut for the three countries where Virtu Gem operates: Zambia, Malawi, and Kenya.
The inspiration for developing a national gem cut stemmed from a piece created by Mol and Fernando Maculan that features Brazilian amethysts carved in formation of the topographic view of the country’s Itaimbezinho canyon.
The goal is to have one fully developed cut for each country and several design concepts the students can follow up on later.
“By doing so we hope to contribute to product innovation, and improve the production and market sustainability of the associated artisans,” Mol told National Jeweler over email.
They are focusing on one gem variety per country so they can optimize cuts to each. Amethyst will be used for the Zambian cut and pink garnet for Malawi. As of press time, the project was still deciding between yellow tourmaline and green garnet for Kenya.
The online class is open to anyone in the gemstone trade at all skill levels. So far it includes more than 50 people.
“Since the objective of the training is creative problem solving, everyone can contribute, from the beginner students to the 30-plus-years experienced cutters,” Mol said.
“Based on my experience with gemstone producing communities in Brazil, every initiative has to start from the bottom up, to adapt for the environment and to promote instruments to reinforce the uniqueness of the local production. It makes no sense for me to import gemstone cutting know-how from Brazil, the U.S., Germany, or China to the cutters in East Africa, but to respect their own.”
The students have taken inspiration from culturally significant aspects of their country to develop their ideas for a national gem cut.
The Malawi National Gem Cut, for example, will be based on colorful fish called cichlids, found in Lake Malawi.
The class holds weekly meetings, in which the students are mostly separated according to country of residence.
Before advancing each step, the whole group is asked to bring forth their opinions so everyone has a say. When a consensus is reached, they move on to the next phase.
They are now in the final phase, which includes assisting in the production and marketing of stones, gathering feedback, and more. They are also fine-tuning the cut for Zambia and for Malawi, as well as weighing three options in Kenya before choosing the final.
Virtu Gem has also involved schools and groups in each country, which support the project, engage the students, and allocate professionals, materials, and a place for gem cutting.
They are the Gemstone Processing & Lapidary Training Centre in Ndola, Zambia; the Voi Gemstone Cutting and Value Addition Centre in Kenya; Nyasa Lapidary & ASM Training Centre in Lilongwe, Malawi; and the Mzimba Gemstone Mining Cooperative in Malawi.
“The gem cutting program is a great initiative which seeks to empower gem cutters in source countries with advanced innovative cutting skills. For a very long time, gems from source countries are being cut elsewhere, which has always deprived skills development and revenue,” Chiko Manda, Virtu Gem’s country coordinator for Malawi said.
“Therefore, this program intends to reverse the current trend by promoting in-country gem cutting through skills development by developing the national cuts attributed to the source country’s national heritage. The cutters will collectively develop a cut association with their countries. By doing this, they are contributing towards something big and a national pride.”
Wheeler confirmed they plan to expand the program but noted they can’t yet divulge which countries will be on board next.
In the meantime, Virtu Gem will have a display of the cut prototypes from each country at the upcoming Ethical Gem Fair, scheduled for Jan. 29-Feb. 1 at the Scottish Rite Cathedral.
To follow the class’s journey or get an idea of what might be seen in Tucson, visit the Virtu Gem Instagram account.
“Besides the fact that students can think outside the box in terms of cuts, the vital lesson to many is that one must learn to do several sketches or pencil drawing of designs before arriving at the ultimate cut. They have also realized that branding is beneficial when it comes to marketing,” said Lameck Thole, head of skills training at the Gemstone Processing and Lapidary Training Centre in Zambia.
“It is a welcome initiative. All believe that it will help in improving the quality of cutting and boost business for the locals, especially [since] Virtu Gem is now standing in as a front to market the capabilities of Zambian Cutters as well as Zambian gemstones.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in JulySurvey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Vicenzaoro Releases 2026 Education LineupThe trade show, slated for Sept. 4-8 in Vicenza, Italy, will feature sessions on trends, AI, gemology, and manufacturing.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Hillsborough Show Moves to New Location for 2026The public shopping event featuring art, jewelry, watches, and rare collectibles, will take place in Santa Clara, California, this fall.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
