Multifaceted and award-winning gem artist Victor Tuzlukov is demonstrating his extraordinary prowess during live pearl faceting demonstrations at the Orient Odyssey showcase at Jewellery & Gem WORLD Hong Kong (JGW). Beloved and celebrated for his unmatched gem-faceting techniques and artistry, he is also displaying his World Heritage Collection at Booth 9D31 at the AsiaWorld-Expo.

The World Heritage Collection, which he describes as his “most complete and meaningful” creative endeavour to date, features 12 gemstones dedicated to 12 cultures, including bygone civilisations like ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire. Some of these amazing stones have more than a thousand facets.

“I worked on this collection for four years,” he revealed. “It is the most important and significant collection for me. I drew inspiration from the colourful, multifaceted culture and history of countries around the world. The keyword here is multifaceted.”

For this project, Tuzlukov began by conceptualising ideas and manifesting these into sketches and diagrams. The diagrams, in turn, guided the faceting process. Colours, meanwhile, were critical to the choice of materials.

“The specific gem correlated with the design idea,” he explained. Dainty Sakura flowers, for instance, are integral to Japanese culture. For this reason, I chose pink kunzite to best represent Japan. Ancient Greece, meanwhile, was surrounded by water and all life related to the sea, so I opted for aquamarine.”

Tuzlukov’s exponential rise in the global coloured gemstone scene forever the changed the game for lapidarists. Over the years, his talent in achieving remarkable cuts and facets has become the benchmark for exceptionality and true artisanship.

A marine navigator and economist by profession, Tuzlukov began his career in lapidary 25 years ago after cutting his first gem. He then obtained a Graduate Gemologist degree from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in Moscow, Russia, and started winning competitions and collecting laurels globally. He is the only gemstone cutter to be included in the Guinness World Records (three times).

In 2023, he was named one of the “Extraordinary 40” by Informa’s Jewellery World Awards, which celebrates industry champions whose innovative ideas, relentless drive and remarkable achievements have transformed the jewellery community.