stonesnbones
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2007
Posts: 255
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Post by stonesnbones on Sept 18, 2007 16:17:01 GMT -5
Do any members here facet?Here are 3 Siberian amethyst I turned out today.
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Post by ladyt on Sept 18, 2007 16:44:03 GMT -5
Oh Boy!! Those are gorgeous!! Are you going to set them or what? Very, very nice. I went back and looked again, MAN the Heart is stunning. Sweet!!! Tonja
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stonesnbones
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2007
Posts: 255
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Post by stonesnbones on Sept 18, 2007 18:57:39 GMT -5
Tonja,I have not really thought about What I am going to do with them.Thry were some amller rough I have had for ages and decided it was time to facet them...{auto-correct: MOV files not allowed}e it along for new facet rough.
brad
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Post by ladyt on Sept 18, 2007 19:24:38 GMT -5
What size are they, about 6mm?
Tonja
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stonesnbones
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2007
Posts: 255
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Post by stonesnbones on Sept 18, 2007 19:58:19 GMT -5
Good eye measurement,6mm and the pear is 6x4.
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Post by larrywyland3 on Sept 18, 2007 20:21:35 GMT -5
They look great; I never tried it. How long does it take?
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Post by catmandewe on Sept 18, 2007 21:35:29 GMT -5
Wow, thats impressive.
Looks like fun but I need another set of tools like I need a hole in my head. Now I just have to remember what I just said.
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Sept 18, 2007 22:25:13 GMT -5
OMG, those are gorgeous! Can we see pictures of the before, during and after? I am wondering what the rough looks like up close. Very, very cool!
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Post by Lady B on Sept 18, 2007 22:25:35 GMT -5
Those are exquisite! The depth of color is perfectly captured by the facets you cut!
Any of them would be perfect in a ring or in a delicate pendant setting!
Lady B
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adrian65
Cave Dweller
Arch to golden memories and to great friends.
Member since February 2007
Posts: 10,789
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Post by adrian65 on Sept 18, 2007 22:51:32 GMT -5
Wow, what a nice work! I think faceting is pretty complicated, you have to have the final shape in mind all the time. It requires probably special tools.
Adrian
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2007 0:36:37 GMT -5
amethyst always looks great and these rocks make it look even better!! Great rocks...........incredible rocks!!
Nathaniel
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181lizard
Cave Dweller
Still lurking :)
Member since December 2005
Posts: 2,171
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Post by 181lizard on Sept 19, 2007 10:35:10 GMT -5
Brad...Doc is our resident expert on faceting. I seem to remember some pics round here of him working on a humongous emerald in his shop. Besides him and yourself...I can't think of anyone else that facets. Sands does cabojohns with a facet edge (or beveled) does that count? By the way...'em R nice!
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stonesnbones
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2007
Posts: 255
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Post by stonesnbones on Sept 19, 2007 16:08:55 GMT -5
Thank you all for your kind words.
I have been faceting for 25 years and still consider myself an amateur.It is no more complicated than cabbing IMHO.You just have to do it on a faceting machine and oreintation of your stones has to be very precise.It took me round about an hour a stone to cut.
Brad
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Post by texaswoodie on Sept 19, 2007 16:33:34 GMT -5
Beautiful! Never got into faceting, but it looks facinating.
Curt
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stonesnbones
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2007
Posts: 255
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Post by stonesnbones on Sept 20, 2007 13:52:27 GMT -5
Karenf I do not have any photos of me faceting,here thos is some of the rough parcel from whence these came. And a BIG one Since there is interest let me introduce you to my pride and joy....a 10 ct pink diamond I found on a gem safari junket.
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Sept 20, 2007 14:56:50 GMT -5
Wowzers, again! You faceted that diamond? I am not usually into diamonds, but that is gorgeous. Out of curiosity, and please don't mind my asking? Where do you get your rough stuff (US or elsewhere?), approximately how much did that rough in your hand cost, how much does your faceting increase the value, how many of those stones in your hand were you actually able to use..... I find this fascinating! I remember an episode on aquamarines on the Travel Channel's Cash & Treasures show, from find to finished ring, and really enjoyed learning about the whole process. Thanks for your great pictures!
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stonesnbones
spending too much on rocks
Member since September 2007
Posts: 255
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Post by stonesnbones on Sept 20, 2007 15:34:15 GMT -5
Karen,
"Where do you get your rough stuff (US or elsewhere?"
I don't know if you read my introduction,so I'll restate that I have been in the hobby for 40 years man and boy.Long before the internet I established relationships with miners and mail order dealers both in the US and overseas.I most generally buy mine direct when I can.Yet,as an example I pan my own sapphire in Montana same with most of my garnet.Faceting material is best bought in person unless you are buying from a dealer you trust.
"approximately how much did that rough in your hand cost?"
$2.00 a gram ......take note that this is Siberian Amethyst,good red and blue flash and no waste.It is better when one can to buy parcels or mine run.Parcels well its just a case of more fun for the buck you spend.Mine run is what you get straight out of the mine....you get the good with the bad dirt and all.For example.Last April I bought 20 pounds of mine run ruby from a miner in Burma for $75.Out of the 20 lbs,I yeilded 4 facet grade pieces rubies and 30 grams a cab grade.Out of the cab grade 4 stones will star or catseye(maybe).The bonus is this of the 4 facet grade rubies,one yeilded a .50 ct drop dead gorgeous fiery red stone that I sold for $550.It is not unusual to realise 10 times what you pay for mine run gems.
"how much does your faceting increase the value"
There are too many variables to give you a complete answer.Cut,Clarity,color and weight coupled with what is hot in the marketall have bearing on the final value.I can tell you that its beyond self sufficent,it can be lucrative if you have the time to sit and turn out quality and I stress quality stones.I mostly sell to jewelry stores.
"how many of those stones in your hand were you actually able to use"
All of them eventually.......I shot that photo just before I posted the message.
Brad
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karenfh
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2006
Posts: 1,495
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Post by karenfh on Sept 20, 2007 16:00:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the info! How fun. I find it intriguing that you pan your own sapphires in Montana. I was born in Great Falls, then lived in Augusta, was bitten on the butt at age 2 by a Canadian goose in Chouteau (one of my earliest memories, unfortunately), and my birthstone is a sapphire. Go figure! I did miss your intro. Where can I find it?
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