American Society of Gemcutters

Certifications

    The International Gem Society recognizes the high standards
set by the American Society of Gemcutters.

    The ASG requirements were among the strictest ever established. To achieve certification, a lapidary had to first pass a written exam.**   Then they had to score at a particular level in two separate [facet cut stone] competitions. The minimum score for the Certified Master Gemcutter, (CM,) qualification was 97 points out of a possible 100. A Certified Supreme Master Gemcutter, (CSM,) needed to score better than 99.7! CSM has been referred to as the "doctorate" of Gemcutting, as only 54 people ever achieved this level.    

The president of the American Society of Gemcutters, Gerald Wykoff,
has supplied us with the following list of certified cutters.


Certified Supreme Master Gemcutter, (CSM)

Duane K. Luce
George R. Schuchman
Roger Lafreniere
M. L. Wright
Jerry L. Capps
Charles Dempsey
Dieter W. Irmischer
Robert S. Stepp
Warren Burchett
James H. Gray
Joseph C. Smith
Dr. Jean A. Marr
Richard G. Kors
Earl Zoeller
Jack Slevkoff*
Joseph M. Harter
T. J. Douglas
Woodrow Leonard
Herbert Hirata
Maren Hirsch
Jack E. Haslup
Kent McClanahan
Alan Peterson
Donald Clark
Michael Dyber
Dana M. Reynolds
A. E. Tokaz
Gerald L. Wykoff
Frank H. Crayton
Marshall Henderson
Earl W. Spiegel
Dr. Vincent Bishop
David K. Boutilier
Leon Reeder
Walter Locker
Lester C. Waters
Russell D. Osterhout
Dick Fairless
Dr. Alston C. Lundgren
Carl Childers
William Horton
A. L. Hollinshead
Ewing Evans
Paul Northrup
Lucille Gearhart
William R. (Bill) Ehney



Certified Master Gemcutter, (CM)

William Moon
Milton Houston
Joseph Bowersmith
E. W. Zukauckas
Gary Scardone
R. Wollin
Donald Wannebo
Jim Replogle
Glen Linker
Gerald L. Hess
Gary M. Henson
John J. Wiorkowski
Sofus Michelsen
Harry Kuzminski
Kaj Toft
Robert L Praska*
Dr. Marvin Schles
Edward I. Wielgo
Gary L. Statton
Gary McCutchen
Irene Francis


Congratulations to all American Society of Gemcutters,
Master and Supreme Master Gemcutters.
We applaud your accomplishments!


Information and selections shown here were found at the bottom of the Members Services Index
of the International Gem Society's website and certain emphasis added are by Me.

*The author, founder, and editor of "GemWorld.com" is emphasized in yellow
and His mentor, who is now deceased, is emphasized in pink.

**The written exam contained about 200 questions relating to the field of gems, understanding properties and characteristics, gem identification, gemological terms, different crystal axis and orientation, techniques of gemcutting, facet design, orienting the stone for highest best yield, inclusions, analysis of stones and crystal structure, use of polariscope, use of dichrioscope, use of refractometer, understanding optics and light, refractive indexes, color, brilliance, dispersion, pleochroism, luster, asterism, luminescence, double and single refraction, specific gravity, absorption spectra, cutting speed and friction, use of vinegar and colloidals, treatment of stones, synthetics and simulations, cutting angles, tangent ratio, equipment and tools needed, abrasives and polishes, the science of gemcutting and polishing, etc. Many of the questions were highly technical but were covered in the Official publication of the AMERICAN SOCIETY OF GEMCUTTERS titled "American Gemcutter." Each monthly issue contained about 32 pages of valuable information including sketches, diagrams, designs, and photos.