• Date/Time
  07/27/2023 - 07/29/2023
  Event Time TBD
• Location
  The Fun Factory
• Categories No Categories

Event Details

Host: The United States Faceters Guild
Date: July 27–29, 2023 at the Fun Factory
Location: 1024 Georgia Rd. in Franklin, NC.

Faceting Class Information

Instructor: Tom Mitchell
Date: July 27–28, 2023 at the Fun Factory
Registration Fee: $85 for USFG Members, and $110 for non members*

Updated Information (5-21-2023) the Updated List of Vendors and Items of Interest

“As we meet collectively in Franklin, whether it be to learn, to improve our skills, to spend money, to mingle with those that share this love of faceting; whatever your reason, it is quite exciting to anticipate this year’s event. The details, although not 100% complete, are beginning to fall in place, and it really is only a little over 9 weeks away. I am happy to announce the following vendors that will be on site for this year’s event. We love our vendors and thank them for their support. Without them our event would not be possible.

Confirmed Vendors at this time are as follow:
Marsh Howard – Lightning Laps and supplies
John E. Garsaw – Gemstone Rough
Stephen Challener – Angry Turtle Gems
Steve Upshaw – Colombian Emerald Majestic J Gems New
Jeffrey Hill – Facet Rough New
Jason Brim – Jason@selectgem.com
Tom & Judy Mitchell – https://www.mitchelljewelrystudio.com/
Dan Lynch – Gemstone Rough
Mike Gillespie – Gemstone Rough New

Now that our 2023 Tucson Symposium is complete, it is time to change the focus towards this year’s Franklin event, which is already shaping up to be a tremendous success. Table space is filling up quickly. Vendors will be on hand to share their experience, their expertise and their products. We also have plans for some great hands-on opportunities throughout the show regarding dopping techniques, polishing techniques, and exactly what to look for in a competition finish and how to see it.
There are also a number of highly experienced presenters that I have strong commitments from at this time, and I will share those as we become more firm in our schedule of events for the show. More to come.
Also this year, led by Tom Mitchell, we will have another faceting class the first two days of the event. Last year’s class was quite successful, and there were numerous requests to do it again. The details of the class will be formally announced in the near future, but what you need to know now if you are considering taking the class is that there will be a limited number that can take the class, you will need to provide your own machine, light, and equipment; and there will be a fee to help offset the cost of some of the materials you will need during the class. Again, more details to come.
We are still quite busy planning and tweaking the schedule, so how can you help? We have numerous opportunities for those who have an interest in participating, selling, presenting, and/or supporting this event. Please comment on this post and I will connect with you directly. The success of the USFG, as well as the Symposium greatly depends on you, the membership. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Faceting Class Information:

This is the announcement you will need to respond to in order to sign up for the Faceting Class.
Tom Mitchell will be teaching the faceting class.
It will be on Thursday and Friday only.
Space is limited to 6 participants to take this class.
You will need to provide your own machine, light, extension cord, and any additional equipment.
The registration fee, is $85 for USFG Members, and $110 for non members.
The fee will offset some of the cost of materials you will use during the class.

*If you aren’t a member of the USFG, and if you want to take the class, it just makes sense to join. The reduced price of the class for a member actually more than pays for your first year membership compared to the normal yearly cost, but even at $18 per year, that’s still a deal. It won’t be long until our website update is complete, making it much easier to access information about faceting issues and design, as well as readily available links from a rather large database.
So here comes the fun part.

The first 6 people to reply on this posting will be our participants. I will respond to you confirming your response. You will have one week to submit your payment by check or money order, payable to the USFG. I will message you directly with the address to send your payment, and I should receive it no later than 14 days of this posting. If not, the spot will go to the next responder in line. If you have any issues, please contact me directly via messenger.
I am looking forward to getting your reply and to seeing you in Franklin!

A Few Items of Interest:

We have plans for some great hands-on opportunities throughout the show regarding dopping techniques, polishing techniques, and exactly what to look for in a competition finish and how to see it.
There will be a pizza party / prettiest stone contest on Friday evening. You will be able to enter a stone in three categories: Natural, Synthetic / Man made, and Fantasy. Winners will receive a gift certificate for use at the show at the vendor of their choice. And yes, there will be free door prizes given away at this event.
Just as in years past, there will be an opportunity for you to buy tickets for a chance to win some very nice prizes, including a Gearloose Starter Kit.
Joining us again this year will be Gerry Boykin and Larry Mattos. Both have tremendous knowledge about concave and fantasy cutting techniques and will have their Ultratec Fantasy machines on hand as they demonstrate and answer questions.
I am very excited to welcome a newcomer this year to our Franklin event. We will have Robert Rubin from Ultratec in the house. Robert is excited to join us, meet you, and answer your questions about the line up of Ultratec faceting machines.
Justin Prim, the author of The Secret Teachings of Gemcutting (2nd Ed) will also be on hand to meet and talk with you, ready to share his knowledge of the history of gemstone faceting as it has developed over the years,
Roger Dery will also be joining us again this year, sharing information about seeking ethically sourced gem rough,as well as dopping techniques with wax.
We are still quite busy tweaking the schedule of presentations, so more to come as it is finalized.” -Doug Augspurger

Register for the faceting class by clicking here and responding to the Facebook announcement!