If you know how to do the cuts, feel free to do them yourself. I've been planning to do some how-to's on various gem cuts in general, but that's not really appropriate for this page and I haven't had the time yet. If you don't know how to do them (or you sort of do and want some tips), you can talk to me online for pointers and you might like to practice with non-lapis gems. You're also more than welcome if you're in (or going to be in) the VoK area to drop by either to deliver cuttable lapis or for a demonstration. The only gem cuts I haven't done are the ring (no need, fairly specific flaws required) and cat's eye (simple and intuitive, but also no need).
It's been said that unities are the hardest part. This isn't really the case. It doesn't get much simpler than unities when it comes to doing the cuts; no more difficult than, say, an eyelet. It's only a bottleneck because the necessary flaws are rare. It's entirely a matter of time and patience collecting enough cuttable lapis that you get lucky with the random number generator. Eyelets are very easy and common - a two-layer hole that you cut square around with the #1 cutting disc. Full Eyes are identical, but require a three-layer hole, which is a good deal more rare, particularly without another flaw interfering. Unities are just Full Eyes (three-layer hole) but, except for the faces, you cut a larger box (rotated 45 degrees) with the #2 disc, but it's very rare that there is enough unflawed gem around the hole to make the cut possible. When the flaws are wrong, it's impossible. When the flaws are right, it's a piece of cake. Choronzon is a slightly more complex cut, but is all about having a large chunk of flawless material to cut it from. This is a little more common than the flaw arrangement required for unity, but not a lot.
At any rate, those are my thoughts on the subject. If you have questions or comments or like the afore-mentioned person don't think I'm doing enough as team lead, talk to me.
-- Ashmael
Mentemhe: I've added a watermine at the Co-op, and there is a balanced gemcutting table available as well. Outstanding promises mean that I won't be able to add another watermine for a while (I'm behind by 3, right now), but if anyone wants to donate supplies for one I have a couple ideas about to place more. Obviously, getting additional ones up before we stat mixing cement would be helpful, but there might be enough in people's camps that it does not matter.
Ashmael: I want to thank Neena for building a gem cutting table at the site and letting me know about it when I was about to run down to the co-op to cut those 170 lapis. That'll save me a ton of running back and forth. :)