Where do I start?

[seanjaniak]

I recently purchased a faceting machine and I’m looking for some advice. I’ve never faceted before and would like some recommendations of resources like books to get me started. I have some rough stones already to start with.

[Alan Balmer]

Many faceters are self-taught, but an instructor to look over your shoulder can be invaluable. If you have the opportunity, find a class. Local gem and mineral clubs may offer something. If you can get to Tucson in early February, there will be classes at the Faceter’s Frolic. See the Community->Events page on this website to sign up.

The best book on the market, in my opinion, is Tom Herbst’s “Amateur Gemstone Faceting”. It’s inexpensive and available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Amateur-Gemstone-Faceting-1-Essentials/dp/3000474749/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1545150474&sr=1-1&keywords=faceting+for+amateurs

There is a second volume with more advanced topics, but the first volume is an excellent introduction.

[seanjaniak]

Thank you very much!

[flfaceter73]

There are quite a few you tube videos of faceting which can let you see how the machines operate and how different accessories are used. Some of the videos cover beginning faceting as well as more advanced cutting.

[York27]

Hi,

Steve Moriarty from https://www.moregems.com/ has some you tube videos that can possibly help, there are also several others to use.

[dantmcgowanmac-com]

@seanjaniak I am also new to faceting. I am using a Ultratec V5 faceting machine. Regardless of what machine you are using:

• I found the Faceting 101 series linked to on the Ultratec site to be very helpful.
• Also the Manual is terrific. I followed the steps outlined in section 6.2 Learning to Facet.

Good luck.

[JTheesfeld]

Our USFG President, Tom Mitchell, wrote a fantastic book for Beginning Faceting!!!! It contains great, no-nonsense instructions….an absolute must!!!! $35

Faceting 1

https://www.mitchelljewelrystudio.com/our-bling/faceting-1-learn-the-fine-art-of-gem-faceting-its-easy-1

Jeff Theesfeld
USFG Historian

[Joseph Jucha]

I know I’m late to the party, but I see you are in Wi. First- *STOP* buying stuff. I have spent thousands of $$ on marginally useful laps and gadgets. Try to learn form my mistakes. Look around for a rock club in your area. Someone might already be cutting. 🙂 I was self taught from Jeff Graham’s books, but I don’t know if they are still available.
Take a look at lapidaryschool.org. It is located in Northern Georgia Faceting 1 is a one week class and you will find it amazingly reasonable in cost. I have been there tens of weeks and each time I learn something new. Probably the cheapest vacations I ever took! I think class, room and board (and yes, decent food!) is approx $55 for the week, plus class fees (up to $100 dependent on instructor)

[Tom Mitchell]

Joseph,

I plan to offer Faceting 3 each year for the foreseeable future. I will look forward to having you in class soon. Hope your wife gets well quickly.

Tom Mitchell

[Tom Mitchell]

Joseph,

I plan to offer Faceting 3 each year for the foreseeable future. I will look forward to having you in class soon. Hope your wife gets well quickly.

Tom Mitchell

[Tom Mitchell]

Another learning option would be to get some instruction. One of the best schools for lapidary arts is William Holland Schoolof Lapidary Arts. Classes are one week long and cost only $415.00 for the entire week including your room, the class and three meals a day. There are several instructors who teach faceting but only a few who can teach on any machine. I am one of them. Check it out at lapidaryschool.org.

Tom Mitchell

[Joseph Jucha]

Please forgive the $55 typo. This year it’s $425 r/b in a shared room, $375 if you bring a camper/motorhome (Lunch Only)

[MSackos]

Believe everything has been covered in the above posts:

Here’s what I did/do:
1. YouTube Videos. Some good videos out there and almost all the videos have some little technique or method that I had not tried before.
2. Take a class. I took a week long course when I bought my first machine (the instructor is retired now). There are several great schools out there. Still planning to get to William Holland School for some additional training.
3. Work with a gem cutter/instructor and spend a couple of days one-on-one. I have done this recently when I needed some advanced training.
4. Go to Tucson and attend USFG events at the Old Pueblo Lapidary Club in Tucson…you will enjoy it, you will meet a lot of other cutters, and you can take some classes.
5. Look around this site for opportunities.

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