An interview about this history of gem faceting

[Jeffery]

Thanks for the Brain Food Justin. It took me until Wednesday to find this, and it was worth the wait. I will be in touch with you via your website. We have much in common. I am sorry I missed your TGMS talk, but I really like this interview. We have much to share.

Jeff Theesfeld
USFG Historian

[Scott]

Thanks for sharing Justin, are there any old lap machines in a museum as I would like to see the lap itself and what flat surface they used, was it stone itself or metal like copper?

[Justin]

I have heard there is a museum in the works in the USA and I hope to be a part of it but from what I have seen so far…

The best faceting museums are in europe

France – A great museum with machines from the 1800s
http://www.juramusees.fr/sites/des-metiers-et-des-hommes/maison-du-lapidaire/

Czech- I haven’t been here yet but the photos look amazing
http://www.muzeum-turnov.cz/en/gem-cutters-house/

Germany- several good ones in Idar, first one is incredible. a cutting mill from the 1700s
http://www.edelsteinminen-idar-oberstein.de/die-weiherschleife.html

http://www.deutsches-mineralienmuseum.de
http://www.edelsteinmuseum.de

Netherlands- Diamond Museum
http://divaantwerp.be/en/

Also related, I heard about a museum in Rhode Island that is not faceting but old fashion die cast silversmithing and goldsmithing. So cool.
http://providencemuseum.org

[Justin]

Also Scottwkelley, I recently wrote an article on the history of laps that you will love. 1400-21st century. I submitted it to Gems and Gemology but I haven’t heard back one way or the other. Ill post it here when it comes out.