Magus Gems is the storefront for Justin K Prim, Wizard Gemcutter. That's me! I started cutting gemstones in 2013 in San Francisco and knew nothing of gems, nothing of crystals, nothing of the art form that would soon take over my life. In 2016, I relocated to Bangkok and partnered with the best Thai Gemcutters in order to provide cutting services on a larger scale. For inquiry on lapidary and faceting services, please message me.





My Story



A friend introduced me to the weird world of gemstone trade shows and I was immediately intrigued. As I walked around my first show, looking at table after table of beads, little white boxes of sparkling stones, bowls of twinkling colors, and the diverse array of people running the booths, I wondered to myself, "What is going on here?" I felt like I had stumbled into a secret community of ancient commodity traders. My interest in the medieval era perked up as I got to understand the process by which stones are bought and sold. The artist in me was immediately asking "How can they cut these tiny stones so perfectly?"



While trying to answer that question, I joined the San Francisco Gem and Mineral Society, one of the oldest lapidary clubs in America. I got my start doing cabochons and then after a few years, I started faceting. As soon as I used the faceting machine in class I was hooked. I bought one of my own the same week.



Fast forward several years, I moved to Bangkok, attended gemology school (GIA), taught Gemology at another school (AIGS), helped open a third school (IGT) and started teaching gemcutting. Simultaneously I met a lovely gemcutter from France who I will have the privilege of marrying next summer. We decided to join forces and remodel a 5-story shop house in Bangkok which includes one whole floor dedicated to gemstones; two cutting workstations, a gem library, a faceting museum with over 25 machines, a photobooth, a lounge, and more.



We are currently living our dream here in Bangkok. I spend my time teaching new gem cutters the ancient art at IGT and the rest of my time is spent working with clients to cut stones with our Thai gem cutters. I am able to spend my free time reading about the history of this craft, the gem cutters of the Medieval and Renaissance times. I love thinking about their lives, their ancient art, and how it relates to the modern world. I regularly travel around to attend gem shows and give lectures on my favorite subject: the history of gemcutting.



Aside from all that I'm currently working on a book about the history of gem cutting and if you're interested in, you can check out my historical articles here:

www.justinkprim.com and www.facetinghistory.com