I learned while in high school a long time ago from a Japanese woman who did this for a living in Maryland for many of the high-end custom Jewelry stores in the D.C. area. I’ve continued to cut off an on since.

That being said look around for lapidary clubs that might exist in your area. Here in the US there are local clubs that have classes and such. I’ve also seen people learn by self teaching and asking for advice online. Generally performing basic cutting isn’t really that hard, it’s a test of patience and a steady hand. Most of the simple designs can be found online.

The hard part about getting into this as a hobby is the upfront expense. For a good setup like what I have, it can cost you $6-$7k not including the rough. You might be able to find a used machine, but you need to be careful with those or cheap ones where they either have damage or are not precise enough. This can lead to frustration as the stone never turns out quite right.

Bottom line, see if you can find a cutter nearby or a lapidary club. Take the hobby for a test run and see if it satisfies that itch before investing in the equipment.

For me the satisfaction is more than worth it, along with being able to give gifts to family and friends.