Training the World to Facet Gemstones
Rock&Gem Magazine|January - February 2025
The lapidary world continually expands as we experience a resurgence in people faceting colorful gemstones. Encompassing all demographic groups, this enduring artistic medium is accessible to everyone willing to spend the time to learn.
AMY GRISAK
Training the World to Facet Gemstones

ULTRA TEC VL Classic Machine. Photo by Marc Shapiro Media

The ULTRA TEC is the most accurate machine and I like their ergonomics... The other reason I choose ULTRA TEC is...they’ve been around forever, and they’re going to be around forever.” - Sam Baar

The benefit newcomers enjoy these days is the wide range of educational options for learning how to cut gemstones. With the internet and a more open attitude to exchanging ideas, the greatest challenge is finding the best fit for your learning style.

The good news is that with online or in-person options, you can find the best course to launch your understanding of the craft and hone your techniques using the best machines available.

Above: Hashnu Stones & Gems lapidary studio. Photo courtesy Mark Oros

LEARNING FROM A GEM CUTTING ICON

When many people begin studying faceting, they read the name Mark Oros of Hashnu Gems & Stones so often that it is obvious he is a fixture within the gem-cutting community. What began as a creative project for his entire family turned into a new lifestyle.

One of his endeavors includes teaching the wave of lapidary artists the technical and finer aspects of turning already beautiful rough gemstones into something worthwhile. He believes there is a resurgence similar to what happened in the 1960s and 1970s, when people were notably artistic and creative, along with a renewed interest in the metaphysical aspects of crystals.

"People want to get back in touch with the earth because they are disenfranchised with these institutions," he says. Many look to gem cutting as a business venture, but they need to acquire the knowledge and tools before they embark on such a course of action.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January - February 2025-Ausgabe von Rock&Gem Magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der January - February 2025-Ausgabe von Rock&Gem Magazine.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS ROCK&GEM MAGAZINEAlle anzeigen
Cleaning & Cracking Géodes, Great and Small
Rock&Gem Magazine

Cleaning & Cracking Géodes, Great and Small

Geodes. From their Latin and Greek origins meaning ‘earth-like,’ the cracking and cleaning of these popular stone eggs is no yolk: those unassuming exteriors can belie wonderful clusters of crystals or banded layers of agate within!

time-read
9 Minuten  |
March - April 2025
GOLD: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
Rock&Gem Magazine

GOLD: PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

Has Gold Production Finally Peaked?

time-read
8 Minuten  |
March - April 2025
The Minerals That Made America
Rock&Gem Magazine

The Minerals That Made America

Iron, Copper, Lead & Zinc Transformed the United States Into a Major Industrial Power

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
March - April 2025
THE ORDOVICIAN OCEAN OF ST. LEON, INDIANA
Rock&Gem Magazine

THE ORDOVICIAN OCEAN OF ST. LEON, INDIANA

Imagine walking through an area filled with millions of fossils just lying there ready for you to pick up and put in your bucket.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
March - April 2025
A Ring around the World?
Rock&Gem Magazine

A Ring around the World?

\"Ring around the Rosie, a pocket full of posies. Ashes! Ashes! We all fall down!\" So goes the children's nursery rhyme.

time-read
1 min  |
March - April 2025
IKONS OF THE MINERAL WORLD
Rock&Gem Magazine

IKONS OF THE MINERAL WORLD

Enjoy the following pages from Ikons of the Mineral World Nature's Finest Art by Wayne A. Thompson, Walter E. Donovan, Robert M. Lavinsky, Wendell E. Wilson and Sandor P. Fuss.

time-read
1 min  |
March - April 2025
Fascinating Fluorite A Beginner & Collector's Favorite
Rock&Gem Magazine

Fascinating Fluorite A Beginner & Collector's Favorite

Should you be found, be it working on your collection or walking around a mineral show, humming the song \"My Favorite Things\" with the mineral name 'Fluorite' worked into the lyrics, many of us collectors would totally understand, and probably join in. If that's not the case, let's see if we can make that happen.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
March - April 2025
ROMANCING THE RUBY
Rock&Gem Magazine

ROMANCING THE RUBY

Few words are as packed with meaning as “ruby.” While the word refers primarily to the legendary red gemstone, it is also the preferred adjective for red colors of extraordinary intensity and purity. Its association with wealth and royalty conjures romantic images of kingdoms that once flourished in such historical ruby sources as Ceylon, Siam, Burma and India.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
March - April 2025
ROYAL SAHARA JASPER
Rock&Gem Magazine

ROYAL SAHARA JASPER

Royal Sahara Jasper was originally discovered in the early 2000s in Northern Africa in the Sahara Desert. During an excursion to Africa, George and Janet Sechler found a piece of rock on the ground that showed similarities to picture jaspers like Biggs or Deschutes.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
March - April 2025
CLOUDY DAZE
Rock&Gem Magazine

CLOUDY DAZE

Cloudy Daze is the Novice Design that was selected for the United States Faceting Guild 2025 gemstone faceting competition.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
March - April 2025