Treasureworks reviews

Steve reviewed: Gem cutting - cabochon cutting and an introduction to faceting

"The course was very good. I had the choice of 3 different gems to polish, I decided on a Garnet because of the colour. James explained and demonstrated each step with a lot of skill and patience. I was more than pleased with the end result. My advice to anyone looking to learn or get an insight into gem cutting/polishing is you would be hard pushed to find a better intro anywhere. I will be going back for more."

Treasureworks responded:

"Thank you very much Steve! I really enjoyed our lesson, it was great to meet you. I'm looking forward to showing you how to facet a gemstone at some point in the future, you're definitely welcome back! Regards, James :)"

Josie reviewed: Gem cutting - cabochon cutting and an introduction to faceting

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course recently making a cabochon, James is a lovely teacher who is patient, has a good sense of humour and happy to answer the questions I had about the process, the machinery and the tools. I really enjoyed learning a new skill and will be booking on the next course and can’t wait to learn more in this field. I recommend this course for someone wanting to learn new skills with a knowledgable teacher and perfect for anyone beginning their journey into gem cutting. Thanks James!"

Treasureworks responded:

"Hello Josie! Thank you for your awesome review! I really enjoyed instructing you, I had a great time. I'm glad you had a good time too! Looking forward to seeing you again. Regards, James :)"

Ruth Bannister reviewed: Gem cutting, tuition for two students in cabochon cutting and an introduction to faceting

"I bought this course as a birthday gift for my Dad. We drove down to Brighton for the day and we learned loads from James. He certainly knows his craft, and he walked us through the way he cuts stones into cabochons. We then learned how to create a facet on the reverse of the stone - and brought it all up to a high shine. Very interesting and informative. Be prepared to absorb a lot. James also has stones for sale - so I made the most and I brought a stash home with me. :)"

Treasureworks responded:

"Thank you Roo, it was great meeting you and your Dad! Thank you for a lovely review too. Regards, James :)"

Craig Michel reviewed: 1 on 1 gem cutting: standard round brilliant or diamond cut: meetpoint faceting

"Had a fantastic time with James, a very insightful lesson. Enjoyed James's company, he is an exceptionally talented cutter and always willing to give advice during and after the course. Thanks James!"

Treasureworks responded:

"That's awesome to read Craig, thank you very much! It was great to meet and instruct you in lapidary, I had a great time. Thank you! Regards, James :)"

Euan McWhirter reviewed: 1 on 1 gem cutting tuition: heart cabochon cutting and an intro to faceting

"Having had no previous experience I found James very patient and a great host. He demonstrated each stage and was happy to share his own tips and experience. Managed to do some carving and some Cab work over two days. Thanks for an inspiring couple of days! Great to learn something new on a new material. I will be back to learn some faceting soon."

Treasureworks responded:

"Thank you Euan! It was great to meet you, and it was great to focus in on one style over two days. I thought you picked up the skills really quickly! You're welcome back to learn faceting anytime. Hopefully see you soon! Regards, James :)"

Samantha reviewed: Gem cutting - cabochon cutting and an introduction to faceting

"Being a complete beginner to gem cutting I wasn't sure what to expect. James makes you feel very welcome and explains things in an easy to understand way. I was very surprised and pleased with how my Opal turned out and I am really looking forward to getting my own equipment to practice with. However I will definitely be seeking James expert advice to progress my skills. To anyone in two minds about booking, my advice, don't hesitate, you won't regret it. If I can do it, anyone can"

Treasureworks responded:

"Hello Samantha! Thank you for your review, it was wonderful to read. Best of luck with your journey into gem cutting! You were an amazing student, a pleasure to instruct. Thank you. : D"

David Dockrell reviewed: Gem cutting - cabochon cutting and an introduction to faceting

"I was really impressed by the result of my first gem cutting experience. James was a very encouraging and knowledgeable about his craft and a pleasure to be taught by. He also makes a great cuppa!"

Treasureworks responded:

"Thank you David! That review is heartwarming to read. I thought you were an excellent student, you caught on very quickly! I'm also pleased the catering passed muster! Thanks, James :)"

Dana reviewed: Gem cutting - faceting basics - the step cut square facet

"This is such a good course - I did the cabochon class in the morning and then managed to squeeze in the step cut lesson in the afternoon. James is a great teacher who explained everything very clearly, and there was plenty of opportunity throughout the day for me to get hands on with the faceting machine. I was blown away by how my stones turned out - I honestly didn't expect such great results on my very first go, but under James' instruction I was able to come away with some genuinely lovely gems (once they'd been unstuck from the dop!)"

Treasureworks responded:

"Thanks again! I was impressed at how quickly you took to faceting, if I remember correctly I only showed you the final polishing technique on two facets on the pavillion of the topaz, you took every single other facet to mirror finish under your own steam. Great work! ??"

Dana reviewed: Gem cutting - cabochon cutting and an introduction to faceting

"This is such a good course - I did the cabochon class in the morning and then managed to squeeze in the emerald cut lesson in the afternoon. James is a great teacher who explained everything very clearly, and there was plenty of opportunity throughout the day for me to get hands on with the faceting machine. I was blown away by how my stones turned out - I honestly didn't expect such great results on my very first go, but under James' instruction I was able to come away with some genuinely lovely gems."

Treasureworks responded:

"Thank you Dana! It was lovely to meet you and you were a pleasure to instruct.?"

Sue Flynn reviewed: Gem cutting - cabochon cutting and an introduction to faceting

"James is a very patient teacher, who demonstrates and explains each step. I enjoyed learning how to cut and polish a cabuchon amethyst. I am thinking about faceting lessons with James now.... Watch this space!"

Peter Wong reviewed: 1 on 1 gem cutting: standard round brilliant or diamond cut: meetpoint faceting

"I myself give thumb up on this course from James. Nice man with good knowledge on lapidary arts of cutting. Giving yourself experience to playing around with gemstone cutting. You will end up making that stone yourself of cos with the master Yoodaa instructing you. Instead wondering around on the internet for answers, is quicker try it yourself and bring home knowledge that you will pride for."

Treasureworks responded:

"Thank you Peter! It was a pleasure meeting you and you were an awesome student, a pleasure to instruct. I've never been compared to master yoda before and it's a great hounour. I must say this: Hmmmmmmmm! Facet you will! Now you understand the way of the uncompromising critical angle, much light you will reflect from the darkness... All the best for 2020! Regards, James :)"

Stephanie Goffin reviewed: Gem cutting - cabochon cutting and an introduction to faceting

"I was a complete novice and I am not really technically minded at all (for example, I did not know what a Dremel was!), but James was very patient and he explained everything very thoroughly. I came away with a good understanding of what equipment I would need and how I would go about producing a cabuchon. I was also pleased to learn that the cabuchon which I had produced would be posted to me."

Mo Chudleigh reviewed: Gem cutting - faceting basics - the step cut square facet

"Had this course two days after my cabochon lesson and again it was satisfying and a lot of fun, as well as teaching me a lot about the process. I faceted a clear topaz which James had got started for me - there's a lot more to faceting than cabbing, but James is a fantastic teacher and goes through the whole process step by step. He's full of good advice and it was in a very relaxed environment, working at your own pace which makes it a lot easier to absorb all the information. Would definitely recommend this for anyone who is curious about faceting as it really helps to have an experienced teacher. I may be back for the standard round brilliant in the future!"

Mo Chudleigh reviewed: Gem cutting - cabochon cutting and an introduction to faceting

"Had a really great time with James, he is a fantastic teacher and very knowledgeable about the craft. As someone with no lapidary experience whatsoever I learned a lot from my first session in a very chilled out environment. This course gives you the opportunity to get hands on in such a niche field, and at the end of the process you get a lovely cabochon to take home! Can't recommend enough."

David Lilly reviewed: Gem cutting - faceting basics - the step cut square facet

"Another amazing afternoon spent with James. This was a longer workshop (nearly 5 hours) than the previous one I booked but the time flew by. James began by explaining how and why I'd be working on the gemstone (a Citrine), and off we went. We stopped throughout the afternoon to disucsss how things were going and how I had to got to each stage and what was to come, and knocked back mugs of coffee as we went. I left the workshop having facetted an amazing little pale Citrine cut in a square (cant' remember the technical term for it's shape) and a smile across my face. As with the previous workshop I had to leave the gemstone with James so that it could be de-glued from the dop. I returned the next day to collect my gem which was presented a little case and I was absolutley delighted with the result. I would thoroughly recommend this workshop, and whether you do this and the cabochon one or not, they are both superb and worth every penny."

David Lilly reviewed: Gem cutting - cabochon cutting and an introduction to faceting

"What an amazing experience. James is such a laid back and generous teacher. I learnt an incredible amount in the afternoon I spent with him and he then made himself available the following day so that the gem could be soaked off and I could return and collect it at leisure. I would totally recommend this workshop for anyone with zero skills or more as there is just so much to learn and it's a really chilled experience."