Lapidary and Faceting Equipment
Learn about the tools and equipment involved in lapidary arts.
Faceting Equipment Essentials
What faceting equipment do novices need to learn to cut gems? Learn what faceting machines, laps, books, and supplies are...
Read More
Buying a Faceting Machine
Buying a faceting machine means making compromises between economy, looks, and technical features. Learn what questions to ask before you...
Read More
The Spectra Ultralap
The Spectra Ultralap is an excellent choice for polishing quartz and beryl gemstones. Learn how to use this lap and...
Read More
Tin, Corian, and Ceramic Lap Testing
Which laps and polishes can produce the flattest facets and sharpest edges on gemstones? Our lap testing compares tin, Corian,...
Read More
Faceting Machine Features: A Beginner’s Guide
Before investing in an expensive piece of equipment, learn how to examine these gem faceting machine features, so you can...
Read More
Gemstone Polishing Laps and Techniques
No single gemstone polishing method will work for all people or all stones. Our guide will help you choose laps...
Read More
Gem Cutting Abrasives in Grit, Mesh, and Microns
Using the right gem cutting abrasives is critical for gem cutters. Our grit, mesh, and micron conversion chart will help...
Read More
How to Score Polishing Laps
Most gem cutters prefer using scored polishing laps. They work better and faster than non-scored laps. Learn how to score...
Read More
Should I Use Oxide Polish or Diamond for Polishing Gems?
What's the best abrasive for polishing natural gems? An oxide polish is usually the best option. Learn the different uses...
Read More
The Dichroscope: A Faceter's Guide
A dichroscope can distinguish the colors of pleochroic gems. Learn how gem cutters can use this tool to choose the...
Read More
How to Choose the *BEST* Faceting Machine for Your Needs
What’s the best faceting machine for you? We’ll review models from all over the world in terms of cost and...
Read More
What are Sintered Laps?
Sintered laps are expensive, metal/diamond bonded gem cutting laps. Are they worth the investment? Learn about their advantages and disadvantages....
Read More
Product Review: Hyper-Edge Gem Faceting Laps
Hyper-Edge gem faceting laps will save you time and money. In particular, learn how the 1,500-grit lap compares with other...
Read More
Ultra Tec Faceting Machine Factory
Ultra Tec factory is located in Santa Ana, California, It is a factory where machines for faceting is made and...
Read More
Bob Lynn - CAM/CAD with Solidscapes
Solidscapes pretty much do anything, and at a detail level and precision that is just not possible using the old...
Read More
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...
Read More
Laps Treatment and Care
Just Ask Jeff: Care and Treatment of Laps - "Just Ask Jeff" gives a few tips on the basic things...
Read More
Buying a Faceting Machine
Get the insight of Jeff on all your questions and concerns about Gemstones. "Just ask Jeff" tackles faceting machine and...
Read More
Faceting Machine Considerations
Buying a used faceting machine is a lot like buying a used car, you can get a good one but...
Read More
Graves Faceting Machine
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions and ideas on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See what his thoughts are...
Read More
Facetron Faceting Machine
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See what his thoughts are on Just...
Read More
Ultra Tec Faceting Machine
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See what his thoughts are on Just...
Read More
Jeff's Opinion on Laps
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions and thoughts on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See what his answers are...
Read More
Buying Faceting Add-Ons
Just Ask Jeff: Do you really need faceting add-ons like dial, indicators, stain gauges, down lights, digital read outs? Read...
Read More
Several Ways to Clean Dops
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions and thoughts on various topics on Just Ask Jeff. See the several ways to...
Read More
Having an Unaligned Machine
Jeff R Graham talks about unaligned machine in Just Ask Jeff. See what his answers are to What do I...
Read More
Digital Faceting Machine
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See his answer to Questions you need...
Read More
Common Causes for Contaminated Laps
Just Ask Jeff: Contaminated Laps? Bort Charging Laps? Jeff R. Graham shares some details and helpful information on contaminated laps...
Read More
OMNI Faceting Machine
Jeff R Graham shares his opinions and ideas on various topics in Just Ask Jeff. See what his thoughts are...
Read More
Working with Ceramic Lap
Just Ask Jeff: Do I need a ceramic lap and how do I get it to work?Whether you need ceramic...
Read More
Product Review, Ultra Tec Faceting Machine
Ultra Tec Faceting Machine Review . The Ultra Tec has been referred to as the BMW of faceting machines. We...
Read More
Product Review, GemPro 50, Digital Scale
The least expensive digital scale for gem use is now the GemPro 50. It sells for around $150, which is...
Read More
Product Review, Sony Cyber-shot
A Product Review on Sony Cyber-shot. Overall, it is an excellent camera and I was surprised by the low cost.The...
Read More
How to Make a Digital Readout for Your Faceting Machine
A Digital Panel Meter (DPM) can measure angles to 0.01 degree if a precision instrument potentiometer is used and a...
Read More
Retrofitting The Lee Faceter for a Digital Readout
Retrofitting The Lee Faceter for a Digital Readout. This is the second in a series of articles on how to...
Read More
Retrofitting The Graves Faceter for a Digital Readout
Retrofitting The Graves Faceter for a Digital Readout. Being a more "finished" unit, there is less flexibility for field modification....
Read More
Retrofitting The MDR Faceter for a Digital Readout
This will be a challenge because the MDR machine uses adjustable needle bearings on the trunnion assembly.Retrofitting The MDR Faceter...
Read More
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....
Read More
Faceting Machine Comparison Chart
Our gem faceting machine comparison chart will help you evaluate a number of models based on numerous features. Find the...
Read More
The History of the Beale/Woolley Depth of Cut Indicator
The History of the Beale/Woolley Depth of Cut Indicator.It was after Marcus and his wife Marie opened up a retirement...
Read More
Faceting Machine Survey
Recently, a survey was taken to see what kind of Facet Machines are being used by members of the Faceter's...
Read More
Never Stop Learning
When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.
Get Gemology Insights
Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!