Ryan Ross has a unique and rare profession: gemstone cutting.
Though he didn’t grow up in the lapidary tradition, his interest in it sparked unexpectedly when he was preparing to propose.
“While I was searching for an engagement sapphire for my partner, I came across these gemstones and became fascinated by how each had its own unique reflection and design,” Ross said. “It was unlike anything I’d ever seen.”
A resident of Montreal Lake Cree Nation and Saskatoon, Ross was working at the Dakota Dunes Casino when the COVID-19 pandemic forced businesses to shut down.
Instead of staying idle, Ross used the time to dive into his newfound passion. He began researching gemstone cutting, purchased a machine from India, and taught himself the skill through books and YouTube tutorials.
