Beginner's Information - Learning to Facet
Learn to facet. Articles for beginners who are just getting started in lapidary.
So You Wanna Cut Something New? Gem Faceting Advice
Cutting gem materials you've never worked before can be exciting but also frustrating. Some faceting advice can help you create...
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Faceting Equipment Essentials
What faceting equipment do novices need to learn to cut gems? Learn what faceting machines, laps, books, and supplies are...
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Buying a Faceting Machine
Buying a faceting machine means making compromises between economy, looks, and technical features. Learn what questions to ask before you...
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Should You Cut the Gem Pavilion First?
Experts might successfully cut gems crown first, but cutting pavilion first is usually the best and most practical method. Read...
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Gemstone Faceting Terms: A Glossary for Students
A glossary of frequently encountered gemstone faceting terms for the student gemologist. Our list covers gemology, gem cutting, and equipment....
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Dopping with Wax: Getting Started
Novice gem faceters often have questions about dopping with wax. Learn what types of dopping wax to use and how...
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Gem Cutting FAQ
Our gem cutting FAQ covers some common questions from novice faceters. Topics include how to get started, how to clean...
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Fantasy Gem Designs: Cutting Techniques
Fantasy gem designs combine elements from faceted and cabbed stones as well as artistic embellishments. Learn the basics of this...
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How to Facet Gems
What does it take to facet gems? Patience and HAI, locking the gem at the right height, angle, and index...
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A Comprehensive Study of Gem Faceting Classes Around the World
Compare the prices and philosophies of gem faceting classes from around the world. Learn if there’s a local club or...
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Toxic and Radioactive Gems: Safety Tips
If you're considering adding toxic and radioactive gems to your collection, be on the safe side. Learn the basics of...
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Lapidary Health Hazards and Safety Tips
Whether you’re a new or experienced gem cutter, brush up on safety procedures. Learn about lapidary health hazards and how...
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Custom Gem Faceting Styles
Gem cutters can choose from many faceting styles. Learn about the most common custom cutting techniques and pick one that...
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A Simple Method for Transposing Faceting Angles
Can something akin to a slide rule help novice faceters today with transposing faceting angles from published gem designs? Check...
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The White Paper Test and Rough Gem Buying
How can gem cutters predict the color that gem rough will likely show when cut? Learn how the simple white...
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Should Beginners Practice Faceting on Natural or Synthetic Quartz?
Natural and synthetic quartz rough are both inexpensive. Nevertheless, learn why novice faceters should practice with the natural material in...
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Choosing Your First Gemstones: A Rough Guide for Faceters
How should novice faceters choose their first gemstones? Learn which gem rough materials combine cutting ease, low cost, good size,...
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How to Choose a Gemstone Shape for Cutting
How do lapidaries decide what gemstone shape to cut? Learn how inclusions, rough, orientation, and other factors can influence that...
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What Does the L/W Ratio Mean in Gem Cutting?
Gem cutters use the “length-to-width” or L/W ratio to determine how to cut rough gems. Learn how to choose gem...
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Opal and Pearl Care Guide
Opals and pearls have special setting, cleaning, and storage needs. Our opal and pearl care guide will help you keep...
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Faceting Made Easy, Part 6: Gemstone Design Cuts
Part 6 of Trevor Hannam's “Faceting Made Easy” features gemstone design cuts, like the Champagne Glass, that novices can try...
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Faceting Made Easy, Part 5: Gemstone Transferring and Crown Cutting
In Part 5 of “Faceting Made Easy,” Trevor Hannam gives novice faceters instructions for gemstone transferring and crown cutting a...
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Faceting Made Easy, Part 4: Pavilion Cutting and Polishing
Part 4 of “Faceting Made Easy” covers pavilion cutting for a standard brilliant. Trevor Hannam discusses main and girdle facet...
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Faceting Made Easy, Part 3: Starting a Standard Brilliant Cut
In Part 3 of “Faceting Made Easy,” Trevor Hannam covers how to select gem rough as well as dopping and...
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Faceting Made Easy, Part 2: Faceting Machines and Equipment
What equipment do novice gem cutters need? In Part 2 of “Faceting Made Easy,” Trevor Hannam covers faceting machines, their...
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Faceting Made Easy, Part 1: Gemstone Properties
In Part 1 of “Faceting Made Easy,” Trevor Hannam reviews gemstone properties in his introduction to faceting and learning to...
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How to Use a Color Wheel for Gem Faceting
A color wheel and mixing chart can help novice gem cutters evaluate how well colors will mix in a finished...
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Best Books to Read When Getting Started in Faceting
We make recommendations about the best books to buy and read when getting started in faceting.
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Choosing the Right Faceting Machine
"Just ask Jeff" gives tips on choosing the right Faceting Machine. Several discounter's will sell anything that they can and...
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Buying a Faceting Machine
Get the insight of Jeff on all your questions and concerns about Gemstones. "Just ask Jeff" tackles faceting machine and...
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Weight Length Conversions
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions and thoughts on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See what his answers are...
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Faceting Machine Considerations
Buying a used faceting machine is a lot like buying a used car, you can get a good one but...
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Common Books About Stones and Faceting
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions and thoughts on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See some books about stones...
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A Good Faceting Machine
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions and thoughts on various topics in Just Ask Jeff.See what his answers are to...
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Synthetic Material: Cubic Zirconia
Cubic Zirconia (CZ) is a man made material and comes from all over the world. There are several methods of...
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Digital Faceting Machine
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See his answer to Questions you need...
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Living With Your Faceting Machine
One serious pitfall for the novice is the quality of advice they get in choosing what faceting machine to buy....
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A Novices View of Learning How to Facet
Gemstones fascinate. Everyone loves them, but few can craft them. Knowing tips and the equipment can help novices learn how...
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The History of Lapidary
A full and complete history of the lapidary arts, from 70,000 BC to present day. The origins of faceting, bruting,...
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Gem Lore - A Resource For Gemcutting Information
A resource for Gem cutting Information, this is a comprehensive repository of information and assistance intended to advance and enhance...
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