Have you ever gazed in wonder at a faceted gemstone, at theever-changing interplay of light, colour, and sparkle, and askedyourself how such a thing could come into being? Gemstones have been asource of fascination, mystery, and power for millennia, yet it isonly in the last few decades that the tools and knowledge for creatingthese tiny miracles have been available to the average person.

In this book, amateur faceter Tom Herbst lays out the stepsnecessary to transform a shapeless lump of rock into a glitteringjewel that is unique and valuable. Along the way, he explains not onlythe how but also the why, and provides helpful tips in dealingwith many of the pitfalls that confront the beginning gem cutter.

At a bare minimum, this book should help you appreciate thecraftsmanship that gives life to the jewelry you love. Hopefully, however, you will be inspired to attempt your own first gemstone, theinitial step in what may be a lifelong involvement in the captivatinghobby of amateur gemstone faceting.

Happy cutting, and may you make all your meets.

Amateur Gemstone Faceting Volume 1: The Essentials - ChapterSummaries

Foreword

A welcome to the wonderful world of amateur gemstone faceting.

Chapter 1 - Gems and Faceting

Explains the nature and types of gemstones and introduces the hobbyof faceting.

Chapter 2 - Faceting Machines

Provides an overview of the mechanics of faceting machines, including a section on evaluating and paying the right price for yourdream machine or even building your own. Includes a snapshot of thecurrent faceting machine market.

Chapter 3 - Laps

Explains cutting and polishing laps and the relative advantages anddisadvantages of each type. An overview of commercial offerings andtypical starting lap sets should help you make the best choice.

Chapter 4 - Additional Equipment

Discusses the additional equipment you will need or want, rangingfrom dop sticks to polishing compounds to lighting.

Chapter 5 - GeM101: Your First Gemstone

A detailed illustrated tutorial to guide you through cutting andpolishing your first gem, from selecting the rough stone to showingoff your handiwork.

Chapter 6 - Gem Rough

Provides advice on finding gem rough, selecting the right piece, and paying the right price for it. The chapter also discussessynthetic and simulant gemstones and orienting your gem rough formaximum visual impact and yield.

Chapter 7 - Dopping

Explains traditional dopping practice and introduces a hybridmethod which simplifies the process substantially. Includes a thoroughdiscussion of dop transfer technique to ensure proper alignment of thepavilion and crown.

Chapter 8 - Cutting and Polishing

Explains the techniques of cutting and polishing, includingsections on pre-forming, lap and facet sequencing, meet pointfaceting, polishing theory, and charging laps with compound. Extensivetroubleshooting discussions should help you avoid, or at leastcorrect, common cutting and polishing problems.

Chapter 9 - Further Reading

An expanded reading list on multiple faceting-related topics.

Glossary of Faceting Terms

A reasonably complete explanation of faceting terms, includingdirect pointers to the chapter and page where you can learn more.

Index

The two volumes of Amateur Gemstone Faceting comprise 20 chaptersand almost 900 pages. The merged index helps you quickly find what youneed.

Note: This is Volume 2 of Amateur Gemstone Faceting, containing Chapters 10 to 20. To track down Volume 1, search for Amateur Gemstone Faceting Volume 1: The Essentials.

Have you ever gazed in wonder at a faceted gemstone, at the ever-changing interplay of light, colour, and sparkle, and asked yourself how such a thing could come into being? Gemstones have been a source of fascination, mystery, and power for millennia, yet it is only in the last few decades that the tools and knowledge for creating these tiny miracles have been available to the average person.

In this second volume, amateur faceter Tom Herbst helps you expand your faceting horizons. You will learn about the optics and mathematics behind the magic of gemstones. Subsequent chapters on the properties and treatment of common gem materials will help you identify and make the most of your valuable rough.

To really expand your horizons, try faceting on your computer, visualizing gemstones before committing the stone to the lap. Nothing can match the satisfaction of creating and cutting your own unique gem cuts. Chapters on general design principles and a specific case study should help you on your way. Finally, faceters are inveterate tinkerers, and the concluding chapter lays out ideas for multiple do-it-yourself projects, including instructions for building a precision digital angle encoder for your faceting machine.

Happy cutting, and may your horizons expand before you.

Chapter 10 - Gemstone Mathematics and Geometry

Introduces the essentials of trigonometry needed for faceting, including tangent ratio scaling. Discusses gemstone symmetry and maximizing yield from a piece of rough.

Chapter 11 - Gemstone Optics

Explains the wave nature of light and how its interaction with matter produces colour, refraction, internal reflection, and luster.

Chapter 12 - Gem Material Properties

Explains the optical properties of gemstones (colour, refractive index, dispersion, saturation, colour change, birefringence, and pleochroism), as well as their physical characteristics (density, hardness, crystal structure, cleavage, and inclusions).

Chapter 13 - Gemstone Treatments

Explains the procedures and ethics of gemstone treatments, ranging from heat and radiation to oiling and exotic techniques.

Chapter 14 - Common Gem Materials

Easy to read tables of properties for the most common gemstone materials, with a focus on faceting-related information.

Chapter 15 - Faceting on Your Computer

Use your computer to maximize your enjoyment of faceting. Describes commercial and freeware gem design and optimization software, and includes a tutorial on three-dimensional rendering - literally cutting the gem inside your computer.

Chapter 16 - Designing Your Own Gemstone

Provides guidance on expressing your individual artistic urges via gemstone design, from simple modifications to existing cuts through creating your own, new, unique, gems.

Chapter 17 - Establishing the Gem Outline

Explains the CAM, OMNI, CLAM, and ECED pre-forming methods.

Chapter 18 - Case Study: Designing the Briar Rose

Chronicles the conception, development, and execution of a novel hexagonal cut, including hints on channeling inspiration into actual facets.

Chapter 19 - New Gemstone Designs

More than twenty new and unique gemstone designs for all skill levels.

Chapter 20 - Do-It-Yourself Projects for the Frugal Faceter

A collection of do-it-yourself projects, ranging from a better drip tank, to an inexpensive dichroscope, to adding a true digital angle encoder to your faceting machine.

Index

The two volumes of Amateur Gemstone Faceting comprise 20 chapters and almost 900 pages. The merged index helps you quickly find what you need.