Gem cutting - faceting basics - the step cut square facet

Description

Hello! My name is James Langdon and I will be giving the tuition. I have been a self employed gemcutter since 2008 and have sold gems to gem dealers and jewellers in Hatton Garden as well as internationally through instagram. I cut cabochons, faceted gems and concave cut gems too. This short course covers the basics of faceting: you will either need to have completed one of my two cabochon cutting lessons or have a reasonable amount of experience in cabochon cutting. Before you arrive I will have selected a rough citrine or amethyst and fixed it to a faceting dop so we can make a start as soon as you arrive. I'll make a start on the pavillion of the gem and I'll guide you through the processes involved in getting the gem symmetrical and centered on the dop, from preshaping to final polish. As we progress through the work on the pavillion you will be doing more and more of the faceting. Once the pavillion is complete another faceting dop is glued to your gem to allow the faceting of the crown of the gem. The glue takes 25 minutes to cure so at that point there will be a break for tea or coffee and a chat / question and answer session about faceting. Next up, the crown of the gem. You can take over completely here if you think you've got the hang of it but I will be observing, offering advice and giving instruction where appropriate for the duration of the cutting. I'll take over if you get stuck. After your gem is finished it needs to be soaked in a solution to dissolve the glue. This can take up to 24 hours so your gem will be ready to collect the next day, or, if that's not convenient it can be posted to you by Royal Mail special delivery at no extra charge. Please be aware that the stairs to the toilet are very steep and not suitable for anyone with any difficulty walking. This course is not suitable for someone with no experience in gemcutting. I do have two cabochon cutting lessons advertised here on the craftcourses website, both of which have an introduction to faceting included. I can teach most afternoons and evenings, please enquire for availability. My workshop is close to Lewes Road in Brighton and there are several bus routes available which use that road. The closest bus stop is St. Paul's street which is a 3 minute walk away. The tuition runs for approximately four hours but I'm quite happy to extend the time available until the faceted stone has been properly finished. A few words on cutting equipment: I will only recommend what I use currently to do the job. I use an Imahashi base unit or grinder, and a Sterling Gem Land J type faceter for faceting: the base unit is used to cut the cabochon crowns using a handheld dop / holder. The J type faceter does the single facet on the back of the cabochon, and is used for all the faceting tuition I currently provide. Every student I've ever had who has started out on a mast style faceter has, after 30 minutes, been a convert to the handheld faceter style of cutting. The J type faceter has it's origins in the Renaissance in Europe, and it's design has not needed to change since that era. Sterling Gem Land are based in Sri Lanka, but very easy to talk to by email regarding equipment. I would recommend no other manufacturer, since Imahashi of Japan went bust 8 years ago, and Raytech Shaw went bust in the first lockdown in the USA.

What's included in the price?

Water, tea or coffee, biscuits A rough facet grade quartz Postage of your gem to you by Royal mail special delivery if needed.

Cancellation policy

Easy - Cancellation and a full refund can be obtained up to 2 weeks before the course starts

Maker

Treasureworks

with Craft Courses since 2019

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