Gem State may get official gemstone cut

Sep 28, 2023

CourtesyQuincy Douglas Howell displays a gem with the Idaho cut, which he invented. The Idaho cut could become the state's official gemstone cut thanks to a new Senate bill introduced Monday.

BOISE — The Gem State may get an official gemstone cut thanks to legislation introduced Monday.

Senate Bill 1311 adds the "Idaho cut" to the list of official state symbols, making it the official state gemstone cut.

The Idaho cut faceting scheme was designed by Quincy Douglas Howell, a founding member of the Idaho Gem Club, master faceter and 2001 inductee into the National Rockhound and Lapidary Hall of Fame.

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