What Do You Need to Get Started with Gemstone Faceting (Gear, Books, and More)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ย. 2024
- In this video, I walk through all the tools and books that a beginner would need in order to get started with gem faceting.
If you'd like to download a faceting shopping list, click here:
drive.google.c...
For a list of useful list of articles, books, and more, click here:
/ faceting-resources
To take our Faceting Apprenticeship Distance Course, click here:
www.facetingap...
🎵 Music by epidemicsound.com
Once Upon - Hushed
💖 If you would like to support my faceting endeavors, please become my patron: / justinkprim
✨ If you would like to buy faceting merch like shirts and wall prints: www.magusgems.com
📷 You can find me posting fun gem cutting related stuff on Instagram: / justinkprim
🌐 You can also find my articles and stories here: www.justinkprim...
🎥 Gear Used:
(Please note that these are affiliate links)
Video:
Nikon Z6 amzn.to/3fMQ4ab
Nikon Z50 (x2) with 16-50mm lens amzn.to/3vsgoN9
Nikkor 105mm Macro amzn.to/3yKHBwW
Nikkor Z 24mm amzn.to/3fncy2f
Neewer Lights: amzn.to/34jcFWm
Audio:
Rode Video Mic Pro amzn.to/34jcIBw
Rode NT-1 (x2 for ASMR) amzn.to/3urx9ab
Boya Lavalier Mic (x 2) amzn.to/2Sx7DCS
PreSonus Audiobox USB 96 amzn.to/3fqQsfC
Oh thank god. I cannot believe how hard it is to find a good comprehensive intro like this. Rare stuff, thanks!
Glad you like it
You had me at “a great way to avoid all the responsibilities that I’m currently hiding from on a Friday afternoon.” 😂.
That’s how I happened upon your video.
Very comprehensive break down. Just what I was looking for!
I love the importance you give to the divine help. That extra help is essential!
Aloha Justin! What an amazing and authentic video on getting started. I’ve dreamt of cutting gemstones for the past 15 years and I’m finally doing it. I’ve collected the amazing roughs gemstones. The faceting machine come today and I’m looking at several laps disk you suggested. Thank you! You made the process much easier then trying to buy lapidary stuff blindly. I think the next step is looking into your training to new cutters. Lmk what I need to do, and I’m on board.
I just dug up a few hundred pounds of what i call "Brooks Opal" its almost like black opal had a baby with fire opal. Im a 2nd gen geologist and even my study buddies and a few phds havent seen opal like this.
H
Awesome video. At one time I bought a very expensive quiet machine, 20 copper laps, dops, transfer block, alcohol lamp wax... and an antique oak desk I didn't know how to use it. I was afraid to ruin it and so, I didn't touch it, eventually moved and sold it. Later, I bought a $20 lap and some polish and cut 3 dozen garnets at almost no cost. GREAT VIDEO. I'm still a novice but it's in my blood, this was wonderful.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
Hi Justin ... I ordered the sterling machine today. I let them know it was your videos and your confidence in their machine is what sold me.... they also arranged to accept VISA and Mastercard... made payment so easy with no extra transaction fees.. I'm excited... also spent a small fortune on gem roughs... can't wait to start cutting
Congrats and good luck! Its a very exciting day!!!
How do you like it two years later?
Wowww, the video is a great resource for anyone looking to explore this fascinating hobby. He does an excellent job of breaking down the necessary sources and providing practical tips for beginners.
The video is giving clear and informative, making it easy to follow along. Overall, a valuable introduction to gemstone faceting.
🥰🥰🥰🥰 Well done!
A good adjustable comfortable chair ..the first thing I'd buy .
@@peternord8440 true!
Hey Justin! Thanks so much for sharing all of this info. I absolutely love how articulate and clear you were with everything. Just subscribed and will be trying to find hardcopies of both books shortly!
Keep up the good work!
Thanks for much for the kind words. I will keep it up as I have a lot more videos in the works. Also the 2nd printing of the book will come towards the end of the year and its all going to be hardcover so you will be able to get a copy then. Have fun
Love you and your videos, you motivated me to continue where my grandparents stoped :)
I’m so happy I could do that. We need to continue what our ancestors started.
That happens to my pants, too 😜
Thank you for making this video 😊
Great video. Just getting into this. Very helpful. Thank you.
The pleasure is all mine.
Hello Justin just watched you video on crash course I ave been faceting for 20 years and the up and downs are amazing your so right when you talk about quartz for when polishing I use a horrible plain old vinyl lap and sit on the facet people sometimes ask about do you over stretch the facet I just tell them if this is for you then it is more in the hand and the pressure to well done for releasing a video on starting up a facet shop or studio well done 👍.
Nice..and very impormative..
Great Video! Mr. Justin J Prim, you are a Gem to the Lapidary Community, I will be emailing you later to place a back order on your new book! Thanks again for the great content and knowledge!
❤️❤️
Great Explanation Thanks Justin
As a longtime academic I have never flipped faster from "it's my book" (uuugh) to "there are no diagrams in the other one, mine has diagrams" (OOOOOH!) xD
Justin, thanks for the very thoughtful videos. Yes, I want your book. Let me know when, thanks.
You can find it at www.magusgems.com
Great vid, Thanks Justin and thanks to the recommendie 👍👍
Any chance you can provide at link for that lamp that you have clamped to your table with laps?
US $40.06 42％ Off | Long Arm Table Lamp Clip Office Led Desk Lamp Remote Control Eye-protected Lamp For Bedroom Led Light 5-Level BrightnessandColor
a.aliexpress.com/_mPZrwLc
Great video as always Justin !
Thanks! Trying to keep myself entertained as well 😃
@@JustinKPrim sure you do
thank you sir for sharing knowledge and simple idea.. soon i will buy a machine
Helpful insights👍
Good video Justin
Perfect, Thank You.....
thanks for the share, very informative.
I somehow fell into a rabbit hole of gemstone cutting despite never really looking into it before, and I have to say I'm very much intrigued by it. I'm curious though, is it something you can make a living doing? I have no knowledge on the subject but it seems to me that as an individual living in the UK or US, no matter how good you are, you'd be undercut by cutters living in countries with lower costs of living or huge factories that employ cutters.
Yes you can definitely make a living doing it. I know a lot of people in America, Australia, UK, and Canada who are pro cutters and make a good living. You need to have the right skills and potentially be in the right place or at least connected to a network of jewelers that needs repairs, recuts, and new stones to buy.
@@JustinKPrim Is it realistic to try and get into it later in life? I'm definitely fascinated by it and would love to test the waters as a hobby, but if I could eventually make some money doing it too then that would be a bonus.
@@Metal-Spark I got into it at age 30 and 9 years later I'm doing great. Most Americans start when they retire though they don't get into it to make money but to have a creative hobby where they make things with their hands. I think any time is a good time to start, especially if you can have fun and play and then decide later if you want it to be your job.
@@JustinKPrim That's great to hear thank you for being so open and honest : )
I got into it as a hobby and to (hopefully) make some money on the side. It's not easy or profitable starting out. It takes a lot of practice before your cuts are of a quality that customers would be willing to pay well for. The quality of the rough you cut and the time it takes are major factors. You can get some beautiful Rose de France amethyst fairly inexpensively, cut it very well and wind up with a 5 carat stone, then be offered $100-150 for it. If it only took you 3 or 4 hours to cut, that's a pretty nice profit for a piece of rough that probably only cost $10 or less to buy. If it took you 8 or 10 hours to cut though, that suddenly becomes a much less efficient use of your time from a money-making perspective. When I first started, a standard round brilliant took 6-8 hours to cut accurately, and more complex patterns could take as much as 12 hours.
The overall point is that faceting is a fun hobby, but there's a level of skill in cutting, sourcing your rough, understanding the value of various pieces, and establishing customers that takes time, practice, and effort. Don't get into it and expect immediate returns on your investment. Just enjoy it for what it is, then transition towards earning a profit as your skills rise to the necessary level.
I like the crotch blur. Earlier I was thinking your lap might've come into contact with a lap.
Thanks a lot for all the information . Im looking for a book to tell me about the gems and history and origins and all inserting stuff i can know as a hobby !what do you recommend
I’m still writing that book! The history of faceting going back 500 years! Coming soon I hope.
great video thanks, would of been nice if the cost of the equipment was addressed. perhaps a future a video? what would the smallest capital be to get started?
Check out this article I wrote. I address this question exactly… what is the cheapest path to get a good setup : medium.com/justin-k-prim/i-want-to-buy-a-cheap-or-used-faceting-machine-9c613b3f1da9
Amazing thank you so much is there a way to have like an rough estimation for how much that would cost if it's the handpiece cutting machine
Check the pdf in the description. It has all the prices! 😁
Love it thanks for sharing..
Thanks a million 😊 🙏
Fantastic video
Justin... were you maybe supposed to use that Friday afternoon to buy new pants 😅
thanks for the service of teaching to us about how to cut gemstones... I have learnt lots of things from you,,,,, yesterday I bought a new lamp for myself but I am wondering which color light will be the best for faceting gemstones yellowish or white?
I prefer white light but not sure if it matters.
@@JustinKPrim thanks
Great video!
Thank you
Great blog
Hey good video I can't find many people that show and explain things in full. I was trying to find information on what is the best tools, equipment and machines needed for a beginner in faceting stones? Could you make a list of cheap or affordable machines that would be good?
Your wish is my command.
Here’s a list of all machines currently being made in the world:
medium.com/justin-k-prim/a-list-of-current-faceting-machine-manufacturers-4c46775949cc
Here’s a guide to getting a cheap machine but not a bad machine :
medium.com/justin-k-prim/i-want-to-buy-a-cheap-or-used-faceting-machine-9c613b3f1da9
Thank for sharing vital info! I'm currently in Dubai and very interested to buy faceting machine can you recommend good website please
@@osmanconteh3932 check out the PDF in the video description. It has all the info you want.
Justin. When ever I see your videos and I am on line with my different ID, then I have to stop and give a thumb up and of course subscribe LOL 😄. This is Tony my friend.
Thank you
❤Just got gifted a CheriMumu and can't find a single bit of info so thank you! I'll get whatever I can find!😂
Thanks a lot.
gotta blur the hog out!
lmaooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Thanks you !!!!
Great vid, any chance you can drop the link to the electric torch you showed?
Can you tell me the timestamp for what you’re asking about? I don’t have an electric torch so I’m not exactly sure what you’re referencing.
Recently got an st-08 machine and was wondering when the store with the Faceter's Tool Kit 2.0 usually gets restocked been keeping an eye on it for a while.
Hey! I'm curious about what you think about cutting glass to start with? I have been doing some lampworking and have been considering investing in equipment to facet my glassworks. Do you have any experience cutting Soda-lime or Boro glasses?
Glass is great. Cheap, easy to polish. Just be careful on sawn edges as you can cut yourself easily.
Good info. Much appreciate the time you take to make your videos. I'm learning a lot from you. I would like to purchase your book when it's released in Oct. Where will it be available to purchase? Too bad i came late else i would have paid into your kickstarter.
No worries. It will be on magusgems.com starting in October! We are excited to release it! Thanks.
Hi Justin great video. I wanted to ask you what kind of diamond powder is good for polishing, and overall if you could through some more light on the diamond powder, like how many types are there which one is easier to use and etc.
Hello. Singer oil is the oil for sewing machines. You can order online or get it in any sewing supply store and sometimes even hardware stores. For diamond powder, most of the brands are all the same. I like 0-5 for prepolish and 0-1 for final polish. I use diamondtech because it’s convenient to me here but whatever you can get is fine im sure.
Where do you buy the machines at?
Check out the pdf in the video description for a list of all the tools and where to buy them.
Buenas noches justin quería preguntarte qué diferencia habría en tallar piedras en una jamb peg a una ultratec digital
Thank you for sharing this. Much appreciated.
PS your weener is hanging out…..😮
thanks for your great service of teaching all those great techniques of Lapidary. please can you tell me where have you bought the lamp in you back side clamped with the table,,,, I searched a lot about that but I didn't find enough long one. if you give me any reference about that I will be very thankful to you.
AliExpress.
Thanks for the quick upload! Very informative! Even though you called me a girl ;) haha. Where do you usally buy your rough? Is it only single stones? Or do you buy parcels? Best regards !
Btw do you have any good suggestions on where to buy rough gemstones?
Sorry for some reason I just imagined a girl. Sorry!!! I usually buy rough from dealers in Tucson. We try to get parcels when we can because single stones is the most expensive way to go. The more you spend the cheaper it is.
Excelente
Shelack. Super glue i think you forgot .. i like your videos.
Yes it’s true! It was on another desk!
@@JustinKPrim nice video thanks, maybe one video special dedicated for wax and super glue , epoxy and that stuf
I have a $200 budget to get a tabletop grinder for stones and opals but I don't know which one to buy. There are lots of options on Amazon within budget but I'm nervous that I'll get the wrong one. Any suggestions?? Thank you!
Yes. I wrote an article for this question. Read this and keep saving your money: medium.com/justin-k-prim/i-want-to-buy-a-cheap-or-used-faceting-machine-9c613b3f1da9
This is a good review for sure . Do you have copies of your book available? The devine help had me laughing because I know it's serious.
So uh...we can use the virgin olive oil from the kitchen ? Is that because the bedroom olive oil has already been used and lost its virginity a very long time ago? 😁😆 Yes I know I have problems.
Have a great day .
Hehehh. The book is coming in October and any oil will help. If you’re in the bedroom, even KY works. Just get your diamond mix just right 😃
Thank you so much, Justin! This was very helpful. I have a further question: Where do you recommend to get all that stuff (for someone like me living in Thailand/ Koh Phangan)? Would you order from the internet... Lazada, etc?
I have ultratec faceting machine V5 for sell
Yes, everything needs to be ordered. Check out the pdf in the video description to see where to source everything.
Love your videos, i want to love your new book, where/how can I purchase it?
It’s coming to magusgems.com in October. I’ll be announcing it. We’re just waiting for the copies to arrive!!
I have the same ikea lisabo table
What would I need to cut the stone if it's large?
Large stones need the same gear and tools. However if it’s super large light football sized then it might not fit on the machine. Some people in the past have built custom giant machine to cut giant stones but this is not usual. I did a video about one of these if you search for Sinkankas Faceting machine.
This is a helpful video but it is odd to look at the description and see a list of the cameras used to film it and not a list of the equipment that was the topic of the video.
There is a complete list in the description of everything I mentioned in the video. Its a the first link that downloads a shopping list PDF with everything you want to know.
Thank you for that! I must have scanned right over it. @@JustinKPrim
Great Video! i am looking for faceting service, any recommendation?
Yes, we offer several options for Bespoke cutting as well as commercial cutting with our factories in Bangkok. Send me an email please : JustinKPrim At gmail dot com
Thanks a lot🙏🇹🇭
Hello. Is there an edition of your book in French?
Unfortunately no
Heyoz. New to gem/stone cutting. I haven't started yet because I'm getting everything set up. I'm thinking of polishing and cutting rough stones into cabs and raw looks. Is the gear you are showing something o should invest in as well?
Well for cabs there are better and cheaper machines for working. Check out a pixie cabbing machine. It has 6 wheels I think and let’s you go through all the steps. I don’t have a machine for doing cabs (sadly) though I’d like to get one. I’m looking for a used one this year while we travel across America.
Can you olease list places to buy raw uncut gems? Having hard time finding them
Please email me about this. Justinkprim at gmail dot com
10:51 what else you might need, look around.
I look around too, and what come into my mind is, do we need to be neat ? Dang, if the answer is yes, it will be difficult for many people. Laugh.
Where can I purchase lots of natural Untreated or only heated broken and/or badly cut precious semiprecious gemstones to practice my cutting at a good price
I have ultratec faceting machine for sell
Check my page
I wonder if you can sand epoxy resin dice on a flat lap ???? thank you
Yes. You can sand anything. Flat laps usually use diamond grit laps. Diamond is the hardest material on each. You can literally grind anything with diamond laps. Even diamonds, though slowly. I regularly grind my metal dops on my laps.
Decent machines and pricing?
medium.com/justin-k-prim/a-list-of-current-faceting-machine-manufacturers-4c46775949cc
also medium.com/justin-k-prim/how-to-choose-the-best-faceting-machine-for-your-needs-c41774367c55
How is alexandrite to work with?
I’ve never had the chance to cut any.. yet.
Adding the blur to your pants 9 minutes in😂
Too many comments about the patched hole 😅
threw up that blur to save us from seeing two extra gemstones
No it’s a patched hole but everyone including my wife commented on it so I tried to just prevent anyone from noticing 😂
Im looking to start in a year or so (most likely less)
I just want to cut few stones and learn it, dont want to make profit, just some stuff and learn the skill
I like to own tools instead of renting/joining a group
I live in europe
So first start would be for me to get a machine, start cutting and getting feel for it?
Aside looking at tutorials and playing with tools like faceting software
Do you have any cheap but good enough recommendations? Lets say max 500€ for the base
Table and lights, magnification, wax, tweezers etc. i already have from other hobbies.
@@TheChemicalWorkshop there’s only one machine anywhere close to €500. Check out the CutKit from gems of science.
safety equipment like respirator and filters and ventilation?
@@josemilian4167 for faceting it’s really not necessary. Between the water drip and the oil for polishing there really isn’t a chance for a stone to make dust in the air.
You need the dops... Words to live by.
I can't afford a machine, so I have this diamond grinding wheel , I rub my stones on it to get a shape...most of my stones come out uneven ..like the front is a different shape, the back is slightly different shape ....any tips on how I cn do better.,I
Practice practice practice! I have seen some amazing free hand faceting before
Whats your thoughts on the vevor machines? I’m trying to get into this hobby but it’s the most I can afford lol
they are trash,. just keep saving up!
Omg what is the name off your book? To modest lol
The Secret Teachings of Gemcutting. You can find it on magusgems.com. Thanks
Super random question but its worth a shot here.
Im currently developing a mini cnc style robotic arm for faceting, potentially to design facets not possible by human hands.(concave curved facets with pointed facets in the rim on the curve)
I was simply wondering if you have heard of anything like this. A buddy of mine coded an open source robotic arm for faceting but its not the most accurate. I plan on using a fixed\locked index system into the motors and gears so it doesnt have to rely on measurement computation.
Also. Love your videos.
Im from Detroit where our gem and stone scene is very capital and commercial. Not a lot of artists around here nor are there any groups in my area.
Iv learned a lot from you and appreciate your dedication to the craft.
Im currently making solid stone rings to create funds to buy a sterling faceting machine. If you have any tips for punching out solid rings with remedial tools.(Im working with rotary tools and vises\mounts) i would appreciate that tenfold.
I saw something like this on Kickstarter. It was all plastic and didn’t look promising and the creator shared it with the faceting community and everyone was against it basically. Essentially I don’t think there is a market for this. Hobby cutters don’t want a machine to do their hobby and serious cutting factories need a giant industrial one that can do hundreds of stones per day. That already exists. So a smaller automatic machine is aimed at a market that doesn’t exists. Good luck.
@@JustinKPrim the goal was to create it simply for myself and research purposes. I want to play with light and stones hahaha
I ended up completing the designs but it would run me a pretty penny just for a personal project so it's on the back burner until the funds are presentable. I learned a lot about different facets since then and it has only fueled me to create designs using algorithms and post processing math. I got the liberty to see a machine that someone called "The grail" in which it was a custom cnc style machine built on its own proprietary code, designed to engrave materials in a 3d space so he could do "sacred geometry" on spheres. It was honestly mind blowing to let my brain play with the possibilities
@@JustinKPrim you are completely overlooking small batch production in this comment lmao wtf
@@jetaddict420 yes but how many makers want to do this. I would guess less than 100, 50, maybe less than 20. In order to justify a lot of time on research and development, as well as the final manufacturing costs, you need to be able to sell a lot of machines, 500+ in my estimation. Otherwise the project loses money and wastes time. Also the Kickstarter I saw represents this well. If there was a market demand for this, the Kickstarter wouldn’t have failed. I say this as someone who has crunched all my own numbers and had a successful Kickstarter and someone who is currently crunching numbers for a new faceting machine project that I want to do myself.
Thanks justin, how can I get your book ?
You can order it here: www.magusgems.com/product-page/the-secret-teachings-of-gemcutting
@@JustinKPrim I already found it but the PayPal link is not working, is there any other way? I need first published one how to get that one ?
@@siavashsoltani4813 the first edition is sold out. We are on second edition now. Email me if you want and I can send a PayPal request directly or a bank transfer
@@JustinKPrim ok that's great
What would one be looking at cost wise for starter gear?
$3000 plus shipping and rough.
@@JustinKPrimwhat machine would you recommend in that price bracket?
There's really only one choice for a reliable machine at that price point. details here: drive.google.com/open?id=14NvJ89tXbRh6wIkFRljjQ607qcall20W&usp=drive_fs
@@JustinKPrimthanks, link is broken but I can Google it. I had been looking at another, US-made faceter but a complete setup would’ve been well over $6K!
Hi Justin K Prim. So great vid. i want to learn facet, do you have any course in Vietnam
Sorry no, but we have a small class coming up in bangkok in March if you want to join.
That so pretty. could you give me more information about mini class: how long ? schedule and document ? … I begginer! Thanks😊
@@phucnguyentrong173 you can read all about the class here. It’s 2 weeks long and ideal for beginners: www.facetingapprentice.com
What size are those?
About the altar...ha ha ha!!!
Can I do cabs with the same tools? Or only faceted stones?
@@goawag you can do cabs as well, but you need different laps. Probably just the addition of one lap, a wood lap so you can polish the cab. It’s not the best way to do it, but it’s pretty cool to be able to do it without buying more machines.
@@JustinKPrim thank you 😊
Hello ! Do I need a trimsaw to cut rough gemstones or can I just cut it out with the machine ? (Even if there is rough loss)
A trim saw is useful but if you’re just getting started it’s not essential most natural stones don’t need trimmed. If you are buying synthetic sapphire you almost always need to saw boules but we rarely use the saw we have
Trim saw to cut big rough stones?
A trim saw is nice but not essential. I have two and I use them rarely. It’s not that common for us to get natural rough that actually needs to hit the saw. I find that I use the saw for synthetic boules more than anything else though once you have the basic tools, the trim saw is the next thing on the list!
Do u take customers I have some rocks I need cut
@@arabellachannel8973 definitely. That’s our business. Email me. Justin K Prim at gmail dot com
So what are the reasons nobody has built a robot that can cut gems at perfect angles?
Those robots already exist and they are cutting the worlds melee and a bit more. They are relatively new and the quality of the cut is still not as good as a human. Also they don’t read the rough, they just cut all the material the same.
How long does it take to get good at facet? I'm currently doing opal(not faceted)
I would say within six months, you can be a very competent Faceter, especially if you start out with some kind of teacher of class.
Hi Dear i have stone here and i need to clarify for what kind of gem is. Can u help me please! I send you a picture about the gemstone in your messenger acct.
Hello, Its usually not possible to identify a stone based on a photo. I recommend finding a local gemologist to identify. If you don't have anyone local you can send it in to get test to a lab like Lotus in Bangkok or GIA.
Now parge the lath
Any chance to study any jem cutting polishing course.with u ...
yes, we have 4 classes per year in France and USA. Check out the info here: www.facetingapprentice.com/pages/facetingbootcamp
@@JustinKPrim ..im from srilanka...how to join ur clasees in france...can u give me proper deatails.for me to join ur clases ...andmeet u.....
@@rikasmohamed5779 all the details are on the page. Get a tourist visa and come!
justing i when on the link but i can't find a way to buy the book
You can order here www.magusgems.com/product-page/the-secret-teachings-of-gemcutting