Let’s just say off and on for more than twenty years. There were gaps in there where I didn’t cut for several years, and not nearly as often as I’d like. Now I’m cutting at least one stone a week, as I balance work, life and this hobby. I tend to cut in the early mornings for an hour or so, day and evenings are work and family.

My best advice is to not fret over quality of your polish, symmetry or mistakes. Keep calm and focus on learning the technique, speed and precision comes with practice. Focus on simple known cuts and avoid the more complex cuts until you have the skills in place, no matter how temping the cut looks. If I told you all of the times I got frustrated with a mistake or with a stone popping off the dop you’d be rich. 😂