José Vitor
Switzerland May 2024

Dear Hubert and Noreen, Thank you so much for taking the time to show me the faceting process. I really enjoyed the two days I spent at your workshop in Montreux. My friends were impressed with the final result (and so was I) :)

Best regards,
José Vitor

---

Jorge Pita
Switzerland 2022

Un homme avec un gros coeur, toujours à l'écoute qui partage ses connaissances bien volontier ! D'ailleurs toutes les personnes y travaillant sont de grandes personnes. Hubert respire la Sagesse de ses années d'experience !

Merci beaucoup pour tout ce que tu fais !
Jorge Pita

---

Stones eShop
Switzerland 2019

The Faceting class was an extremely rewarding experience for me. I learned so much in such a short time. I enjoyed every minute of it. Hubert is very helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. He knows a lot about gemstones and can answer all questions about them.

I am very glad I did the course. I highly recommend it.
Stones eShop

---

David Papaux
Switzerland 2019

I started with a course at Free Form Artists in Montreux in Switzerland where I learned the basics of precision cutting. Precision because the focus is on the accuracy of the angles of each facet determined by the optical density of the material being cut . . . . The story of a tanzanite beeing re-cut

---

Abel Goineau
F-97500 Saint Pierre Miquelon France Mai 2012

Bonjour

Je mets en application, non sans peine, les bons principes que vous nous avez enseignés, . . . . . . . . Ce n'est pas évident de travailler tout seul, loin de tout, j'ai l'impression d'ëtre un robinson crusoé de la bijouterie, sur mon ile.

Bien à vous
Abel Goineau.

---

Simon Zaletel
Ireland 2006

Hello Hubert and Katerina,

I has been 1 year today since I was last in Montreaux and picking up my machine. Thought I would share with you what has happened in my year. I have cut some 60+ stones since I brought my machine home. I have only abandoned 1 stone and I have cut stones in many different designs ranging in size from 0.4ct to 47.5ct. I have enjoyed the hunt for designs to fit the rough as well as the challenge to get some of those facets to polish perfectly. I believe all my stones are cut well and have gotten faster with the whole process.

I have also just completed the gemmology course offered here in Galway, Ireland. The two year course was the first of its kind here in Ireland and the two years covered geology, crystallography and the various gemological tools.

I have been on your web site some time ago and see that you have helped to create the beginnings of a faceting industry in Tanzania, good. I also see that Katerina was photographed and mentioned in Jeff Graham's annual Tucson Gem show review, great.

I again thank you for your patience, hospitality and inspiration when I visited you. Being here at home I do not receive your patience or hospitality anymore but your inspiration remains with me.

Cheers, to the year,
Simon Zaletel

---

Anil Taneja
Switzerland 2020

Hubert is a true Master Gemmologist, Jeweller, Lapidary and of course, teacher. I have never met someone who knows the industry as well as he does and his attention to detail and to making sure we progress is really impressive. I enjoyed every minute of my class and will be going back regularly.

I can only recommend his classes!
Anil Taneja

---

Andreas Seibel
Switzerland 2022

Thanks for the great experience. We could really feel the passion from Hubert and Noreen for gemstones cutting. It was an inspiration for us and we recommend anybody to participate at one of his classes, even if you have just a minimum of interest in minerals. Your excitement will grow very fast.

Its not only gemstones
Andreas Seibel

---

Cathy Jeandupeux
Switzerland 2018

Une formation très intéressante, avec un professionnel à l'écoute et compétant. J'ai pris grand plaisir à mon stage et il fait avouer que Montreux est un très beau cadre de vie
Cathy Jeandupeux

---

Frank Broger
Austria 2014

Einen speziellen Fasserkurs bietet Hubert Heldner in Montreux an. Er ist Edelsteinschleifer, ausgebildeter Goldschmied und ein brillianter Lehrer. Ich weiß - nicht gerade bei dir um die Ecke und auch nicht ganz billig. Aber sehr empfehlenswert. In den 2 Tagen Edelsteinfassen lernt man die wichtigsten Techniken kennen. Auch wenn man dabei an seine Grenzen stösst ist es auf jeden Fall kein Schaden für einen Edelstein-Schleifer mal da rein zu schnuppern.
Frank Broger

---

Marie Ducret
Suisse Septembre 2016

Cher Hubert,

je tiens sincèrement à te remercier pour cette magnifique formation continue, très bien conçue et didactique, sans oublier ta gentillesse et ton écoute. Je me réjouis de poursuivre ce processus de création personnelle avec ta guidance technique, je suis ravie de mes achats chez toi qui correspondent à mes besoins et mes finances actuelles, sans oublier Noreen et sa belle présence, et l'adorable petit Toumaï, merci de tout coeur

Mes bises et à tout bientôt, pour notre benchtime
Marie Ducret

---

Marc Pennaneac'h
Madagascar Octobre 2007

Monsieur Hubert Heldner, Madame Kestemont,

Merci de penser à nous ici à Madagascar, de votre enthousiasme et de vos belles créations ! Nous allons les regarder tranquillement et lire vos mots ! Vous êtes une belle réference de votre passion en partage ...

Un ami, responsable de l'ecole de lapidairerie de I'Institut de Gemmologie de Madagascar se joint à notre Equipe ! Nous sommes tous très content. Nous allons vendre des machines ici, Madagascar en a grand besoin. Demain, nous aussi, nous nous laissons aller à la création, et bien d'autres challenges.

Mais continuer à collaborer ensemble, avec grand plaisir demain, avec les artistes. Merci, vraiment de votre soutien!

Avec mes salutations les plus distinguées
Marc Pennaneac'h pour toute l équipe

---

Unhappy class participants
Switzerland 2024

Yes that exists as well. This year, two cancelled the jewelry manufacturing class after the first day. One noted that she did not like the jewel she designed and manufactured. An other noted that she expected to sit next to the jeweller and give instructions on how to realize her dream piece !

Please note: I will not do the job at your place. In my training workshop the customer is put to work.

I will show you how easy it can be - how difficult it is, you will find out soon enough.

I will assist you to discover your talents and you may stumble over some handicaps. Enjoy your strengts and work on the weeknesses.

If you have an explorers heart - welcome - You will enjoy the ride.
Hubert Heldner

---