====================================
LAPIDARY ARTS AND FACETERS DIGEST

a digest committed to carrying on the fine
works started by Hale Sweeny and Jerry Dewbre
====================================
Issue No. 1 - Monday November 4, 2002
====================================
Click here to post to the list:
for faceting questions faceters@caprock-spur.com
for other lapidary questions lapidary@caprock-spur.com
====================================
Subscriptions and List FAQ
Coming After the first of the Year
====================================
Published Monday thru Friday, except holidays
from deep in the heart of rural Texas
====================================
The Lapidary Arts Digest is moderated by:
Thurmond Moore III & Fred Ward (Gemology)
====================================
From the Moderator:

Welcome to the new combined list

The Lapidary Arts and Faceters Digest

I hope that you will utilize this resource to form new friendships
and alliances in the Lapidary fields. Anything concerning
Lapidary and Faceting can be discussed here. I will divide the
daily post into two topical sections for those who don't do both
and might not be interested in one topic or the other. Personally
I jump back and forth between faceting and cabbing. If a faceted
stone is giving me fits I just cab something then go back to faceting.
It usually works every time.

Thanks to those of you who e-mailed me this weekend. I tried to answer
all but I am sure I missed some.(There were a lot)
Remember I only assemble your post. You are the LIST each and every
one so without you there is no list.

There are no changes to the list addresses. You may post to
lapidary@caprock-spur.com for lapidary topics or
faceters@caprock-spur.com for faceting discussion.
Either way your post will get to me for inclusion in the next digest.

Since many faceters are imported to the new combined list some may not want to stay.
If you do not wish to receive this list please use the link below to unsubscribe.

http://dns2.caprock-spur.com:81/guest/RemoteListSummary/LapidaryArtsDigest

Lets have fun!!!

Thurmond
====================================
Index to Today's Digest

Lapidary Messages:
--------------
01 Re: sapphire blade
02 Re: stabilizing soft stones

Faceting Messages:
--------------
03 Facetron
04 Re: LEMON YELLOW ROUGH
05 Re: LEMON YELLOW ROUGH
06 For Larry Smith
07 Re: facetron for Tom
08 I just got back from NC !
09 Re: Brasil Trip
10 Paul's article in July issue of LD
11 Re: Facet Finder, Laser-Pointer
12 hessonite garnets

====================================
LAPIDARY DISCUSSION:

Message:01

Subject: Re:sapphire blade
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 19:25:21 EST
To: lapidary@caprock-spur.com
From: Cutugem@aol.com

Hi Bob, I have no experience with synthetic sapphire however there have been
several posts explaining how it does like to go from 600 directly to polish.
I use 50,000 on a ceramic for all my natural sapphire and it works
wonderfully. I use my batt almost exclusively for all other polishing with
both 50 and 100,000. Dennis on the North Coast

_______________________________________________________________

Message:02

Subject: stabilizing soft stones
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 18:25:17 -0800 (PST)
To: lapidary@caprock-spur.com
From: Lewis Elrod <lfelrod@yahoo.com>

Hi Fellows

One thing that has been used in the past on soft stones is commonly known as "water
glass". It is, I believe, correctly called sodium silicate. It was used in the past to
coat eggs to make them keep longer.

There was once an article, in Lapidary Journal, I believe. I do not remember the exact
procedure but believe that it involved soaking the stones in the water glass for some time
and then boiling them in water to set the resin. This stuff is very thin and this is
needed as normal resin is thick and will not soak into the stones.

Hope this is of some help.

Lewis F. Elrod, CFE

Silver Fox Gallery
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
FACETING DISCUSSION:

Message:03

Subject: Facetron
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 16:57:25 -0500
To: "IFA digest" <faceters@caprock-spur.com>
From: "Jeanne Ridolfi" <jeanne44@attbi.com>

I'm sure many others will post this also, but anyway... the Facetron takes 8" laps.
Jeanne

_______________________________________________________________

Message:04

Subject: Re: Vol. 2, Issue No. 172 - Friday November 1, 2002
Date: Fri, 01 Nov 2002 17:37:42 -0500
To: faceters@caprock-spur.com
From: Facets@aol.com

In a message dated 11/1/2002 2:31:55 PM Eastern Standard Time,
owner-faceters@caprock-spur.com writes:

> A customer wants me to cut a lemon yellow stone rectangular cushion
> cut about 11 x 13. Any suggestions on what to use for lemon yellow
> (he wants lemon yellow he says like lemons in the grocery store), natural,
> but if not a available synthetic. Also any suggestions on
> best diagram to
> use for this stone.

Yellow Idaho Opal probably has the best cost ratio for a lemon yellow stone - the
brightest, most electric lemon yellow I know is YAG (check out Morioncompany.com).
Sapphire, citrine, grossular, topaz, apatite, heliodor, fluorite, and zircon are other
possibilities. What does he want to use it for? Some of the preceeding are NOT good ring
stones....!

Charles B. Johnston
TECHNOFACET
facets@aol.com

_______________________________________________________________

Message:05

Subject: Re: LEMON YELLOW ROUGH
Date: Fri, 01 Nov 2002 14:04:34 -0800
To: faceters@caprock-spur.com
From: Don Rogers <Don@Campbell-gemstones.com>

Tom, the first thing that comes to mind is Ora Verde Quartz. Some has a
good yellow saturation.

As to the cut, try Jeff Grahams Flex Cushion. I've been cutting a lot of
them lately, and they perform very nice.

Don

_______________________________________________________________

Message:06

Subject: For Larry Smith
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 17:14:24 -0800
To: <faceters@caprock-spur.com>
From: "Harold Woodland" <gwwgem@ca.astound.net>

You can contact David Greviston at dcrev@mindspring.com.
Hope he still has it available.
Woody
No. California

_______________________________________________________________

Message:07

Subject: facetron for Tom
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 17:19:19 -0800
To: <faceters@caprock-spur.com>
From: "Harold Woodland" <gwwgem@ca.astound.net>

Tom,
Facetron comes with two sizes of laps. If you get a 6" you can get an
adapter for 8".
Woody
No. Cal.

_______________________________________________________________

Message:08

Subject: I just got back from NC !
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 20:08:54 -0600
To: <faceters@caprock-spur.com>
From: "gemhunte" <gemhunte@frontiernet.net>

Hi Everyone,

I just got home yesterday from my North Carolina trip. It was great and yes
I did find some great facetable gems. I'll be putting up a web page this
weekend about my trip and what I found. I'll let you all know when I get it
up. KOC (utting)

Warm Regards
Carl Mauritz
http://www.huntforgems.com

PS I'm tierd from the trip but I loved it.
_______________________________________________________________

Message:09

Subject: Re: Vol. 2, Issue No. 172 - Friday November 1, 2002
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 21:17:37 EST
To: faceters@caprock-spur.com
From: Elpaninaro@aol.com

In a message dated 11/1/2002 1:56:11 PM Central Standard Time,
owner-faceters@caprock-spur.com writes:

> >Business is really bad in Brasil at the
> >moment and prices have taken a plummet. Arriving here with 'green cash'
> >facilitates buying stones at some unusually low prices.
>
>
> I have never been to Brazil. I know our late friend Mark Liccini
> positively loved the place and its people, and married a Brazilian.
> But the above does not sound like a good formula for a long life, and that
> would be true in quite a few places in the world, including some cities
> here.
> I would think long and hard about that, myself...
> "Green Cash" , visiting a place that is going through some financial
> turmoil...?
> OK, so I am a coward. But I have plans for next year, and a few after
> that.
> Other than emeralds, I generally do not complain about the rough prices
> dealers charge, from the overseas buyers. They are paid for taking these
> risks, and every year we lose a few.
> Given the climate in some places, we have to accept that there are a few
> places we simply should not go.
>
It is not quite as bad as you think. In the past twelve months I have been to
Lima Peru, Caracas Venezuela, Rio de Janeiro and several small towns in
Brazil, Mexico City, and about 10 cities large and small in the Yucatan
Peninsula.

No matter how good or bad the economic times, you are always a rich American.

The bigger worry is current political strife. Venezuela is dangerous right
now because the President is trading on anti-American sentiment to demagogue
his way into staying in power. Peru is also in financial trouble, but
Americans can wander the streets of Lima very safely late at night in most
areas- believe it or not!

When it comes to minerals and gem rough, most of what I purchase on these
trips, I have learned a few things,

1. It is better to find the local clearing houses and exporters in the major
cities for your rough. You can get hand picked items and will be quite safe.
You do pay more than at the mines, but your safety is much more assured, and
you do still get good prices if you buy quantity.

2. Be careful about the really high end stuff- especially emeralds. Depending
on where you are, these items are often used in trade by less that
trustworthy folk- or even the government. And pricing is not that
advantageous that I have seen. As in other parts of the world, the really
really good rough- ie Tiffany's grade stones- is not something you are going
to just go down and buy for a fire sale price. And hanging around at the Muzo
mines to buy from the diggers where the spilloff is thrown over the cliff is
just downright insane. You really have to have an inside source get this kind
of stuff for you, and it is not cheap. When in Ecuador a few years ago I
found a good jeweler selling emerald rough that I think, when faceted, would
have been about $3,000-5,000 per carat in the market at the time, ie good
strong green with light to moderate inclusion and not turbid in 1-2 gram
pieces. He wanted $2,500 a gram for the stuff. A fair price, but not a
bargain price.

3. Look for moderate range material at good prices. Tourmaline is a great
thing to find in South America- as is good Ametrine. There is plenty out
there and controls are not as tight, so you can locate very good rough quite
easily I think. Also possible to engage in transactions with little cash and
not attract attention. Mineral specimens are also a good bet if you like
that. Last November in Rio at the markets on Ipanema I got an amazing
sceptered phantom smoky quartz that weighed in at about 8 pounds! And it had
black tourmaline in it too. Price? $8 US. This is the kind of stuff where you
get a good bargain with little effort- not emerald rough.

Note I speak from the perspective of someone going down there to buy what he
sees when he sees it, not to deal with parties I know and have inside
connections with.

Tom.

_______________________________________________________________

Message:10

Subject: Paul's article in July issue of LD
Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2002 08:28:45 +0200
To: <faceters@caprock-spur.com>
From: "birdamlasu" <fob@birdamlasu.com>

Hello all,
Finally I completed giving a 45 hour Gemology course here in Ankara to a
class of 20 jewellers. It is such a good feeling to be able to teach
something to people who are so enthusiastic to learn.
I read some comments in this months issue about Paul's article which was
in July I understand. But unfortunately I haven't received July issue of
Lapidary Digest. Dear Paul, how can I get this article? Please if
possible would you send me attached to an email?
Thank you in advance.
Kind regards from Ankara, Turkey,
Oya Borahan
_______________________________________________________________

Message:11

Subject: Re: Facet Finder, Laser-Pointer
Date: Sat, 02 Nov 2002 02:37:43 -0600
To: IFA <faceters@caprock-spur.com>
From: gembin <gembin@spiff.net>

Hi Herb and All,

> It wasn't obvious in your post... Do you also use Newton's rings to align
> the gem (i.e. get the correct cheater setting) after transfer? <

I could after transfer, Herb, but I haven't. Let me explain before you think I
am talking out of "both sides of my mouth"! My old used faceting machine doesn't
have a cheater on it. If I have the need to cheat, I must loosen a set screw in
my index gear, twist the quill by hand to cheat, then tighten the set screw.
It's a pain in the neck to do it! I had no idea how to use a faceting machine
when I bought it, much less realizing it didn't have a cheater on it! LOL!

The first stone I faceted (SRB), I had finished polishing the pavilion,
transferred it, cut the crown, pre polished it, and the #**^@+# popped off the
dop just as I started to polish the first facet on the crown! I misaligned it
when I redopped it (after I found the stone on the other side of my basement)
and went through a nightmare cheating by hand, resetting the protractor angle to
match the wopperjawed facets, also raising and lowering it on the mast, on each
and every crown facet, including the table! Wasn't funny then, but I laugh about
it now.

Shortly after that, I ran across the Facet Finder on the internet. I failed to
bookmark the web page and have never found it since. It explained how to to find
a facet after it had popped off the dop with a mirror and using toothpaste. The
Facet Finder sounded like a good idea to me, so I had a local glass shop cut me
a mirror, used the toothpaste and experimented on the next few stones I faceted
to learn about it. That's when Vincent Bishop saw my post on the digest
explaining how to do it using toothpaste. Vincent was gracious enough to email
me and took me under his wing teaching me how to use the Facet Finder Mirror, as
I had posted, only using a thin film of water (not toothpaste) on the intended
facet observing Newton's Rings, thus assuring I had a flat sharp edged facet as
well as locating the facet if it popped off the dop.

Once observing Newton's Rings when checking my facets, I find that old
"battleship" faceting machine I bought, I haven't the need for a cheater as my
facets are most always in alignment! Once in awhile I very gently "twist" the
quill to bring a facet into alignment after polish, if Newton's Rings shows the
need. I have figured a simple way to make a cheater for my machine, but I have
yet to do it.

Having said all of that, I was very interested in seeing on your web site using
your Laser Pointer to align a transferred stone by reflecting the laser off the
girdle. Being a newbie, I had never thought of the need to check alignment after
transfer! Your Laser Pointer really caught my attention! I think checking the
stone's transfer alignment will be easy with your Laser Pointer. I want you to
know, Herb, it's your fault that I probably will have to get busy and make that
cheater after I check it with your Laser Pointer and find my transferred stone
out of alignment! LOL!!! Some day, after a lot of cutting, I may be able to cut
a perfect stone!

Staring at the cartoons on my website

(http://www.boghome.com/TomsPages/TTransfer.html),

you should be able to convince yourself that if the reflected beam makes it
back to the laser pointer, it is by definition perpendicular to the mirror
on the lap surface. If you adjust the cheater to return the beam from a
gem facet to the same spot, the mirror (i.e. lap) and gem facet are also
parallel - the goal of the whole operation.

The technique does work, and takes only a couple of minutes. The major
drawback is that it can be a pain to get the retroreflection right without
a proper mirror adjustment jig. I use a surplus mirror holder from an
optical bench, but home-cooking a jig should be straightforward.

Yes, Herb, I understand that. As I said, I think if I use my faceting machine
(using the 3 surface mirrors as I described on my post the other day) and your
Laser Pointer method with a home built adjustable jig , it should be accurate in
checking and aligning the transferred stone (if necessary) as everything
probably will be "relative", even if my faceting machine's protractor is a "bit
off".

My website is sort of a bio on Wilma and me. Take a look at my old used
"battleship" faceting machine. My friend, Vince, told me he can easily see why
it needs no cheater with the mast held rigid like it is. I can't find anyone
that knows who made it. Sure cuts good stones for a beginner!

Thanks again Herb,
Doug "Rhodolite" Smith
Alton, Illinois, USA http://www.spiff.net/~gembin
_______________________________________________________________

Message:12

Subject: hessonite garnets
Date: Sat, 02 Nov 2002 19:24:31 -0800
To: lapidary@caprock-spur.com
From: "P. Miklik" <b-daw@pacbell.net>

hi everybody,
i just purchased a small rough hessonite garnet at the local rock show.
does anybody have a clue what the going rate per cut carat is? just
curious.
patty
so cal

====================================
RESOURCES FOR LAPIDARIES ~

Hale Sweeny's Lapidary Digest Archives http://www.lapidarydigest.com/
ILA Lapidary Arts Digest Online http://facetersdigest.org/ILA/LADtoday/

RESOURCES FOR FACETER'S ~

Facetron: http://www.facetron.com/
Graves: http://www.rockhounds.com/graves/
MDR: http://www.mdr-facet.com/
Polymetric: http://www.polymetricinc.com/
Ultra-tec: http://www.ultratec-facet.com
Fac-Ette Manufacturing Company: (910)256-9248
http://www.fac-ette.com/ 800-336-9248.
Raytech Industries: http://www.raytech-ind.com
Rock Peddler: 1-800-416-4348 / www.rockpeddler.com

====================================

RESOURCES FOR GEMOLOGISTS ~

Accredited Gemologists Association, http://aga.polygon.net/
American Gem Society, (AGS) 702-255-6500
American Gem Trade Association, (AGTA) http://www.agta.org
Gemmological Assc. & GTL / Great Britain, http://www.gagtl.ac.uk/gagtl
Gemmological Association of Australia, http://www.gem.org.au
Gemological Institute of America, (GIA) http://www.gia.edu.giagem
International Gem Society (IGS) web site is: http://www.gemsociety.org
International Colored Gemstone Association, http://www.gemstone.org

====================================

FACETING GUILDS (Alphabetically, World) ~

*Charleston Faceting Guild, South Carolina, wmcnay@mindspring.com.
*Columbia-Willamette Faceter's Guild, http://www.facetersguild.com/
*Danish Faceters Guild, http://medlem.spray.se/danfacet/
*East/Central Florida:Tomoka Gem and Mineral Society's Faceters Guild,
Don Cameron: ghgemcutter@earthlink.net
*Eastern Mass Faceter's Group, rockpeddler@attbi.com
*Faceter's Forum Society-LaPorte, IN VESteele@aol.com
*Faceter's Guild of N. California, Wayne Meissner, lklomp@cnetech.com
*Faceter's Guild of S. California, Jerry W. Carroll, (818)348-6327
*Intermountain Faceter's Guild, Carl M. Unruh, (360)385-3753
*Midwest Faceter's Guild, E-mail: tgibbs@compuserve.com
*Mid-Williamette Faceters Guild, Albany, Oregon, Michael E. Bumcrot;
E-mail @ MBumcrot@valleyoilco.com
*Moreton Bay is a branch of the Australian Facetors' Guild, Brisbane,
Queensland. http://cwpp.slq.qld.gov.au/afg
*New Mexico Faceter's Guild, Nancy Attaway, attaway@highfiber.com
http://www.attawaygems.com/NMFG
*North Puget Sound Faceting Guild, Keith Wyman, tfw@fidalgo.net
*Tacoma Faceting Guild, Chuck Bloch chuck_b@prodigy.net
*Texas Faceter's Guild, Jill Rowlands, gemsbyj@aol.com
*Seattle Faceting Club (LeonardBahr@prodigy.net)
*United States Faceting Guild (clmoon@pacbell.net)
*Vancouver Island Faceters' Guild - British Columbia, Canada.
wrheitland@shaw.ca

(Add your faceting organization here, US or International - Write to
( owner-lapidary@caprock-spur.com or owner-faceters@caprock-spur.com )

====================================

TODAY'S FUNNY ~

Animal Bureaucrats

An engineer, an accountant, a chemist and a
bureaucrat were bragging about how smart their
dogs are.The engineer called to his dog, "T-square,
do your stuff". The dog took out paper and pen,
and drew a circle, a squareand a triangle. Everyone
agreed he was smart. The accountant called, "Sliderule,
do your stuff". The pooch went to the kitchen, got a
dozen cookies and made four stacks of three. Everyone
was impressed. The chemist called, "Beaker, do your stuff."
The dog went to the fridge for a quart of milk, got a ten ounce
glass and poured exactly eight ounces without spilling a drop.
Everyone agreed that was great.
The bureaucrat called, "Coffee Break,do your stuff!".
Coffe Break ate the cookies, drank the milk, chewed the paper,
claimed he injured his mouth doing so, filed a grievance for
unsafe working conditions, put in for workers' compensation
and took extended sick leave.

=====================================

REFLECTIONS AND TIDBITS:

THE BOTTOM LINE

FACE IT, nobody owes you a living.
What you achieve, or fail to achieve in your lifetime
Is directly related to what you do or fail to do.
No one chooses his parent or childhood,
But you can choose your own direction.
Everyone has problems and obstacles to overcome,
But that too is relative to each individual.
NOTHING IS CARVED IN STONE!

You can change anything in your life
If you want to badly enough.
Excuses are for losers! Those who take responsibility for their actions
Are the real winners in life.
Winners meet life challenges head on
Knowing there are guarantees, and give it all they've got
And never think it's too late or too early to begin.

Time plays no favorites
And will pass whether you act or not
Take control of your LIFE
Dare to Dream and take risks.......
Compete!
If you aren't willing to work for your goals
Don't expect others to.
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF!

--- Author Unknown ---

======================================

ADVERTISEMENTS:

Complete online discount catalog for cabbing and faceting machines, wheels,
laps, polishes, diamond saws, diamond blades, and general lapidary supplies
at http://www.rockpeddler.com.

09272002P
********

Subject: For Sale
Date: Tue, 27 Aug 2002 09:54:52 -0700
To: lapidary@caprock-spur.com
From: crclink@juno.com

Large Highland Park lapidary unit. Two 8" grinding wheels, trim saw
which measures 9" across, three 8 inch sanding wheels [2 wheels were
purchased extra], and a polishing wheel. The unit is mounted on a metal
base which measures 33 1/2 inches long and uses a one hp motor mounted
behind the trim saw. Price includes the honing tool, some polishing
compounds, and an assortment of slabs for making jewelry. Also included
is LOTS of 220 grit emery cloth. This is an older but not a heavily used
unit. It weighs considerable and is smooth running. The grinding wheels
are in good shape as I had a light touch and dressed them when needed .
$800 takes all.

I'm planning to move from Salem, OR to South Carolina where my kids are
so I have to downsize.

Ruth Clinkingbeard
crclink@juno.com

08302002
********

Gewelers Gems
e-mail: sales@jewelersgems.com

Solid copper laps 1/4 thick 8" and 6" you can charge both sides with
diamond. http://www.jewelersgems.com/faceting_laps.htm

03222002
********
I have a very nicely rebuilt Lee facetor that i cannot use any more.
I made a few itarsia pieces before parkinson hit me badly. Two new
diamond laps go with it. It is priced well for its condition located in
ST Louis MO can go UPS anywhere USA
reply to: LKusher@aol.com

07052002
********

Subject: AD
Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 20:50:44 -0800
To: faceters@caprock-spur.com
From: "P. Miklik" <b-daw@pacbell.net>

AVAILABLE FOR SALE
Contact b-daw@pacbell.net

ZIRCONS
Honey, red & brown zircons, 10g parcels @$20/parcel

GARNETS
Red Garnet $8/g, eye clean-slightly included
Spessartine Garnet $7.50/g, slight-moderately included
Malaya Garnet $6/g, good eye clean roughs
Tunduri Garnet $10/g, eye clean-slightly included

TOURMALINES
Pink Tourmaline $20/g, eye clean-slightly included
Red Tourmaline $10/g, slight-moderately included
Bicolor Tourmaline $15/g, eye clean
Watermelon Tourmaline $20/g eye clean
Green/Green Blue Tourmaline $10/g, eye clean roughs

SAPPHIRES
Blue, Green & Blue/Green Sapphires $35/g, eye clean-slightly
included, up to 1g.

BERYL
Blue Beryl (Aquamarine) $6/g, eye clean-slightly included crystals
Green Beryl (Emerald) $10-$50/g, eye clean-slightly included crystals,
zoned green
Cabbing Grade Aquamarine $3/g

******

Must sell the following rough - no reasonable offer refused -

Rose Malaya Garnet - deep red, eye clean african material - 1 kg available -
$2.00/gram for quantities of 500 grams or more

Red Zircon - eye clean african material - 300g available - $2.00/gram if you
take the entire 300 grams

Spessartite Orange Garnet - slightly to moderately included African
material - Ranges from 1.5 - 3 cts size - $7.50 per gram if you take the
entire 300 grams

I have put pictures of the rough and stones cut from it on the web -
check it out at: http://www.wintershill.com/rough

You can email me (Richard) for more info or ?'s at: wntrhill@somtel.com

*****

RRGaetan GEM BROKERS < "Quality gem rough for discriminating gem-cutters."
We serve hand-select (and bulk/parcels, too!), affordable, quality gem rough
in a variety of materials. Our most recent arrivals: Aug. 2 ­ Aquamarine,
Spessartite and Tourmaline. For details and a colorful, interactive e-flyer
(PDF), email rrgaetan@san.rr.com and ask for "The Rough List."

*****

Hello all, I still have a Xristal-Tek87 for sale. I am reducing the price
because I really have to sell this fine machine. I have cut maybe 15 stones
on it. It is basically brand new and in perfect condition. It has the 8"
adapter ring on it and the dial indicator. It is a very sturdy rugged
machine. I am reducing the price to $900 and will still consider all
offers.

Thank you,
David Creviston
Atlanta, Georgia
dcrev@mindspring.com

*****

I am now accepting cutting orders for high quality American Facetting
specializing in Barions and Portuguese Cuts as well as repairs. I am
32 have been cutting for 15 years and have been recently laid off from
my company where I was a medical software salesman. So now it's back to
gemcutting and jewelry. I also offer extremely reliable, high quality
overseas cutting to your diagrams and specs with a 4-6 week turn around.
Diamond cutting and repair available two, including recutting of
chipped melee. Please contact Tyler Allen Atlanta GA
770-393-2547 t.allen@mindspring.com

===================================

COMPETITIONS:

For All National and International Masters, Past-Masters and
World-Class Cutters:

This post is simply a reminder that in 2003 the USFG will host its
first National and International Faceting Competition. It is called
the North American Faceting Challenge -- 'NAFC.' Since the designs
and rules were first published in the 2001 September Issue of the
USFG's Newsletter, and since they have not been published since 2001,
some of you, who are most capable - skill-wise, may not
know about the competition, and some of you may have forgotten. The
"NAFC" is an OPEN Competition. Please note: The designs and rules
can be downloaded at <http://www.usfacetersguild.org/events.shtml>.
The closing date is June 20th, 2003; the amount of time between the
present date and June 20th, 2003 should be enough for all Master
cutters to cut the two required designs -- Fred Van Sant's "Four
Star," and Charles Covill's "Wind Wheel No. 2." If further
information is needed, please contact me at <clmoon@pacbell.net>.

Charlie Moon

===================================

SHOWDATES:

~ FLORIDA

Just a reminder that the St. Lucie Rock & Gem Club will be hosting their 25th
annual show at the Ft. Pierce Civic Center (25th St. & Virginia Ave.), on
November 9th & 10th. Saturday 10-6, and Sunday 10 - 5.
I'll be demonstrating both days.
Norm Holbert
Port St. Lucie, FL

*****

Canaveral Mineral & Gem Society is again presenting
our yearly gem show, the Parade of Gems, November 23rd and 24th at the
Melbourne auditorium, 625 E Hibiscus Blvd in Melbourne, FL, from 10AM to
6PM. Admission is $3, with kids under 12 admitted free.

*****

Tomoka Gem and Mineral Society's annual show will be held on Dec. 14 and 15 at
the Volusia County Fairgrounds, located on state route 44 in Deland, Florida.
Fairgrounds are 1 mile east of interstate route 4 at exit 118. We will have at
least one showcase of faceted gems done by our members. Thank you, John Withey

*****

~ CALIFORNIA

FACETERS SYMPOSIUM 2003
Presented by the Faceter's Guild of Southern California
At the Seaside GEMboree AFMS/CFMS Convention & Show
Ventura, California June 6-7-8, 2003

You are invited to participate in the Faceters
Symposium 2003 which will be held at the Seaside Park
(Ventura Fairgrounds) at Ventura, California during the
AFMS/CFMS Convention & Show. The Faceters Symposium dates
are June 6th, 7th, & 8th. That is Friday, Saturday, &
Sunday. The CFMS GEMboree is on those dates as well as on
Thursday the 5th of June. All of this is at the same
location, just a hundred yards from the beach.

The Faceters Symposium will feature ten speakers, who
will have presentations covering various parts of gemstone
faceting interests. A Hospitality Hour on Friday evening
and a Saturday Awards Luncheon are also part of the
Symposium. There will be competitions at the Novice,
Advanced, & Masters levels. Get started on your
competition entry soon.

The CFMS GEMboree itself will have buildings that have
exhibits on display, dealers with their wares to offer,
demonstrators to show how it is done, and speakers with
presentations covering other lapidary fields of interest.

For information & costs regarding the Faceters
Symposium (including competition information), your contact
is listed below. Ask for one of the Packets. Be sure to
state your snail mailing address so that a Packet can be
mailed to you.

Glenn Klein, Chairman
24001 Muirlands Blvd., Space #79
Lake Forest, CA 92630 email: glennklein@yahoo.com

===================================

LAPIDARY ARTS and FACETERS DIGEST PERSONALS:

KANSAS: If anyone in the central portion of the country from Oklahoma city
to Wichita to Kansas City would be interested in forming something like the
Flatland Facet Guild or some such name give me a line at
faceter@bigfoot.com
Larry W. Davis
******

ILLINOIS - MISSOURI (Central Area, hubed around St. Louis, Missouri) A
group of 4 faceters have met and we had a great time. We intend to meet
again and would like to have fellow faceters join our group. I received an
email from another Newbie that expressed interest in attending our next get
together. Faceters from any and all areas are welcome... It's swell to meet
personally and exchange tips and hints! COME JOIN OUR GROUP! It's FREE! ;o)
Doug Smith, Alton, IL .at: gembin@spiff.net
******

INDIANA: I moved to Valparaiso, (Northwest) Indiana, about three years ago.
Are there any clubs in this area? or is there anyone interested in starting
one? I do faceting and some cabbing. Not much here but cornfields. Nice
scenery, but I get sooooooo lonely. LOL Let me know. (Bill) "William
J.Pysnack" <wjpin@home.com>
******

S.E. LOUISIANA: Anyone in or around the New Orleans, LA area wishing to
form a club or have get togethers for faceting, discussions, cabbing,
procurement, etc. Please contact me via email @ tbird@bayouself.org. (Thom
Bird - Chalmette, LA)
*****

MISSISSIPPI: If anyone is near Meridian Mississippi and would be interested
in forming some kind of club or just get together with faceting and/or
cabbing please e-mail me at jennings@netdoor.com Thanks, Jim
*****

TEXAS: Anyone in the Corpus Christi or Coastal Bend area that is interested
in starting a local faceter's guild contact me at: hankswan@earthlink.net or
gemscc@msn.com or telephone 361-857-2405 (days) or 361-992-1296
(evenings).Hank swan
******

WASHINGTON DC.(Rockville Md area) Looking for folks to get together
occasionally to facet. I have just started faceting and am also interested
in sphere making (infinate # of facets) Robert Winfield
winfielr@inra.nimh.nih.gov
******

=============================================
Lurking is fine, but participation is more fun!! Get involved!!
==============================================

LAPIDARY ARTS and FACETERS DIGEST Staff ~

Thurmond Moore III/ Moderator
owner-faceters@caprock-spur.com

Fred Ward / Moderator - Gemology
fward@erols.com.

Tempie Francis, Attorney at Law / Legal Advisor

==============================================
==============================================

The LAPIDARY ARTS and FACETERS DIGEST is never sent unsolicited.
You are receiving it because you subscribed to it at our digest subscription page at:
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List Policy ~

Welcome to the International Lapidary Association
Lapidary Arts and Faceters Digest

PLEASE READ THIS CAREFULLY. IT INCLUDES RULES AND POLICIES WHICH
WILL GUIDE OPERATION OF THE LIST

My name is Thurmond Moore III and I am the list operator. You may contact me directly at
owner-lapidary@caprock-spur.com .
I am a member of the AFMS and SCFMS through the Lubbock Gem and Mineral Society based in
Lubbock, Texas. I am also a member of the International Gem Society and The Texas Faceters Guild.

This list was begun as a replacement for Hale Sweeny's Lapidary Digest which has ceased
distribution. The original Lapidary Digest Archives can be found at http://www.lapidarydigest.com .

This Lapidary Arts and Faceters List will focus on the lapidary arts, jewelry, equipment, rockhounding,
prospecting, materials, etc. of any nature from A to Z . I am fairly new to the lapidary field
and consequently many topics covered on this list may be old hat for the experienced
lapidary. We need that experience and knowledge to learn and keep the art alive for many
more generations so if you are a seasoned lapidary please share your experience with us.

If the cutting of faceted gems is your interest, You have come to the right place.
Faceting is spoken here by over 800 persons.

Jewelry interests are also well covered in both the newsgroup: rec.crafts.jewelry and the
Orchid mailing list.

The list will usually be sent once a Day, and only in digest form. Occasionally I will be
away for a week or more and the list will not be sent during this time.

The rules for the list are simple but firm:

1. Stay on topic. -- only lapidary related topics. I know it may be hard sometimes to
know whether your topic has strayed too far from the object of the list, but try to stay
as close to the list objectives as possible.

2. ABSOLUTELY NO FLAMES - Flaming or overly argumentative or abusive material is
inappropriate, and will not be posted or may be cause for the list owner to restrict or
drop the subscriptions of those who abuse the list.

3. Respect other list members by restricting your language and watching your manners.
There could be youngsters on the list and we must respect others' right not to hear
profanity. Likewise, we will follow common Netiquette rules.

4. The software only handles ASCII text. (at this time) DO NOT sent attachments, photos,
HTML formatted posts, or graphic files, or any material needing translating.

To change your e-mail address, follow the link below:

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Once there enter your old e-mail address and click unsubscribe then submit
then enter your new e-mail address and select digest and hit the submit button.

Or you may send me a note at owner-lapidary@caprock-spur.com and include your name, and
your OLD and your NEW e-mail addresses in the body of the message, and I will change it manually.

When the server receives a message with any of several words in the body of the message,
it treats the message as a command message. For this reason, never use one of these
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Posting Guidelines:

When originating a new topic (or thread), please put 'NEW:' on the subject line of your
message, followed by the subject. Try to keep the subject short but relevant to the topic of the post.

If you are responding to a prior message, please put 'RE:' as the first word on the
subject line, followed by the subject, written exactly as it was in the message referred to.

Use 'BIO:' and your name if you are writing about yourself.

Use FS (for sale) or WTB (want to buy) if your post is about items for sale of items
wanted.

When sending in an item for the Digest, DO NOT USE THE REPLY KEY on your mail client, but
start a new letter. To include a copy of just one original letter or a relevant part of a letter in a reply, use
cut-and-paste to do this, and make sure to address your response to: lapidary@caprock-spur.com .

Only members may have messages published on the list. Messages from all others are
automatically excluded. Also, you MUST send all messages from the same address used when
you subscribed, or the message will be automatically rejected.

When a submission is send to the Digest, you automatically agree that permission is given
to allow the use of that submission outside the list for non-commercial uses. Anyone
wanting to use it for commercial purposes must get copyright release from the author.

Thus, blanket permission is given to Gem and Mineral Clubs and to Lapidary and Mineral
Federations to reprint items from the Digest and from the Archives (when they are created)
in their Newsletters, given that all authors and the Digest are cited as the source. By subscribing
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to archive your posts permanently in our archives (when they are created) without compensation.

Although submissions will be edited for spelling and grammar, please run your submission
through a spell-checker before sending it. In editing, I will not change (intentionally) the
content of the message.

Swapping/selling/buying are encouraged, but don't send a big list. If you have a long
list, just send a message to the group that you have such a list, and they can e-mail
you for a copy.

Dealers and commercial entities are encouraged to participate--we can learn a lot from
you, and that's what this is all
about.

Signature messages are restricted to five lines.

Newcomers to the list are requested to send in a short BIO-- tell us who you are, what
your Lapidary interests are, how long you've been doing lapidary, what kind of equipment
you have, and so on. Use the word 'BIO:', followed by your name, on the subject line.

If you have any suggestions for improving the list, please send them to me at
owner-lapidary@caprock-spur.com.

This list is managed using software named post.office from the source
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If you subscribe as described above, you will get a copy of this letter from the List
Software, you may wish to keep that copy filed away. Copies can also be requested from the
list owner at owner lapidary@caprock-spur.com and from the Archives when they are provided.

Let's all have fun!!!

Thurmond

Thurmond Moore III
owner-lapidary@caprock-spur.com
Spur, TX
revised 11/02/2002

==============================================================
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