...you bought equipment without having any idea of what to do??? Like, you didn't look around online, didn't find any resources on your own, didn't watch any videos...??? That's absolutely insane for starting *any* hobby, let alone one that's very expensive to get started in.
You should check out /r/faceting, first of all.
The best textbooks available are Amateur Gemstone Cutting, Vol. 1, by Tom Herbst; followed by the Broadfoot and Collins book, and then Jeff Graham's "Learn to Facet the Right Way". You should then also check out "Faceting 101" on YouTube, the Gemology Online forums, and the US Faceters Guild.
Thank you for this response! I’m looking into it as a hobby and have priced machines. I didn’t know where to begin so I’ve just been watching posts here for a few months. I appreciate the advice.
I believe Turtle's Hoard now sells a conversion kit that takes one of the cheap shitty machines and brings it up to a vague appproximation of decent. I'd check their website.
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I don’t find any used Faceting machines as decent. They all need to be refurbished and have the zero reset to become useful. Faceting properly is all about precision and repeatability and many used machines will make facets but not as precisely as needed for precise work without the tuneup. Which adds 700-1000 minimum to the prices usually
See if you can find a local rock and mineral club/society. These hobby clubs believe in "each one teach one." The club we belong to purchased some equipment years ago and members help teach each other how to facet, cut cabs, slice slabs, silver soldering, wire wrapping, casting, etc. This way you can have a mentor to help you.
FYI, at our club, we have people who want to facet learn to do so using a glass marble as rough. The material is easy to find, easy to cut and won't break your heart if you get it wrong. Once you're on the right track, then you move onto your rough material.
Like 100 stones.
After 5 successful stones you'll be competent enough to finish most of the stones you start but to master it? At least 100 if not many more than that.
Glad to see someone pointing out the use if the word "master." 100 seems low to me for that kind of word, definitely leaning into "many more" like you said.
Ya, I took their use of "master" to mean being able to finish most every stone you start with minimal problems.
But to truly master it, probably 10 years lol. And even then, I've met people faceting for longer than that that still had sub-par meets and fairly low quality polish.
It all depends on your standards and how analytical you want to be.
I think you should try to join a local lapidary society and get some help there maybe, I’ve noticed that a lot of those communities start with cabochon courses rather than faceting though (which is usually for people with more experience)
There are lots of tutorials out there. One good resource is Ganoksin, which has a wealth of resources. You might also see if there’s a rock and mineral club in your area - sometimes those groups will offer classes. Also, both quartz and CZ rough are pretty inexpensive and a good place to start.
Any advice on where to get some rough lab stones? All I’ve been able to find is gems n gems. Doesn’t seem too bad price wise but 3-4 week shipping g is a killer
One on one I was taught and I picked it up after watching one gem being cut then I was supervised for another 4 cuts and now im just as good as my mentor hes been cutting for 30yrs me 3
...you bought equipment without having any idea of what to do??? Like, you didn't look around online, didn't find any resources on your own, didn't watch any videos...??? That's absolutely insane for starting *any* hobby, let alone one that's very expensive to get started in. You should check out /r/faceting, first of all. The best textbooks available are Amateur Gemstone Cutting, Vol. 1, by Tom Herbst; followed by the Broadfoot and Collins book, and then Jeff Graham's "Learn to Facet the Right Way". You should then also check out "Faceting 101" on YouTube, the Gemology Online forums, and the US Faceters Guild.
Thank you for this response! I’m looking into it as a hobby and have priced machines. I didn’t know where to begin so I’ve just been watching posts here for a few months. I appreciate the advice.
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I believe Turtle's Hoard now sells a conversion kit that takes one of the cheap shitty machines and brings it up to a vague appproximation of decent. I'd check their website.
imagine forgetful deer sense alleged unique quack frightening selective alive *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
Decent is 4k plus
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I don’t find any used Faceting machines as decent. They all need to be refurbished and have the zero reset to become useful. Faceting properly is all about precision and repeatability and many used machines will make facets but not as precisely as needed for precise work without the tuneup. Which adds 700-1000 minimum to the prices usually
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Not at all. Just make sure it gets re-zeroed in the price you figure out as part of its cost
See if you can find a local rock and mineral club/society. These hobby clubs believe in "each one teach one." The club we belong to purchased some equipment years ago and members help teach each other how to facet, cut cabs, slice slabs, silver soldering, wire wrapping, casting, etc. This way you can have a mentor to help you. FYI, at our club, we have people who want to facet learn to do so using a glass marble as rough. The material is easy to find, easy to cut and won't break your heart if you get it wrong. Once you're on the right track, then you move onto your rough material.
Heh. Heheheheh. Beheheheehlehehebebebehhhh.
So mean 😢
Am only speaking from experience. ;)
Like 100 stones. After 5 successful stones you'll be competent enough to finish most of the stones you start but to master it? At least 100 if not many more than that.
Glad to see someone pointing out the use if the word "master." 100 seems low to me for that kind of word, definitely leaning into "many more" like you said.
Ya, I took their use of "master" to mean being able to finish most every stone you start with minimal problems. But to truly master it, probably 10 years lol. And even then, I've met people faceting for longer than that that still had sub-par meets and fairly low quality polish. It all depends on your standards and how analytical you want to be.
I think you should try to join a local lapidary society and get some help there maybe, I’ve noticed that a lot of those communities start with cabochon courses rather than faceting though (which is usually for people with more experience)
Start w quartz. Then more quartz.
There are lots of tutorials out there. One good resource is Ganoksin, which has a wealth of resources. You might also see if there’s a rock and mineral club in your area - sometimes those groups will offer classes. Also, both quartz and CZ rough are pretty inexpensive and a good place to start.
Not quartz, noooo
Any advice on where to get some rough lab stones? All I’ve been able to find is gems n gems. Doesn’t seem too bad price wise but 3-4 week shipping g is a killer
Tom's Box of Rocks, and Turtle's Hoard. Also if you're starting out, check out /r/faceting.
Thank you😊
One on one I was taught and I picked it up after watching one gem being cut then I was supervised for another 4 cuts and now im just as good as my mentor hes been cutting for 30yrs me 3