Teeny tiny peridot. It was a very cheap bit of rough for around £1, so I’m amazed I managed to get anything out of it at all. Still, I’m happy with the result and have a bit more experience with stuff that needs Aluminium Oxide to polish. Design is Emerald by Justin K. Prim
This is a hobby of mine since high school. My mom was a geologist and got me hooked on minerals. I learned while in high school from a Japanese woman who did it for a living.
This is totally doable as a hobby, it just isn’t a cheap hobby. Finding somewhere to learn is tough, as this isn’t a common hobby and there are few places that offer classes. You almost need to find a cutter willing to teach.